Scream 2 (1997) / Horror-Thriller

MPAA Rated: R for language and strong bloody violence
Running Time: 120 min.

Cast: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Jerry O'Connell
Director: Wes Craven
Screenplay: Kevin Williamson
Review published December 17, 1997

Two years after the tragic serial killing of Woodsboro, the killer seems to have returned to terrorize Neve (The Craft, Wild Things) and co. at college.

This is a sequel within a sequel, as director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Red Eye) and screenwriter Kevin Williamson (The Faculty) reunite to make a passably entertaining but fatally flawed sequel of their own. The film never really frightens, and is actually quite amiable despite the gruesomeness of the murders. Williamson's dialogue sparkles, almost making one forgive the laughable plot, and Wes Craven's direction is light and humorous with just the right touches.

Still not really as well done as the first, but the fatal flaw that kills this film comes from the terrible last 20 minutes of the film when the identity of the killer is revealed and the resulting post-climactic mess. You could still do much worse than this as far as slasher flicks go, but I would personally get more thrills watching Scream 1 two times than Scream 2 once.

Qwipster's rating:

©1997 Vince Leo