Blyss's Movie Review for:

Main Cast of Characters:

Neve Campbell...........Sidney Prescott

David Arquette.........Dewey Riley

Liev Schreiber..........Cotton Weary

Courtney Cox.........Gail Weathers

Jada Pinkett Smith..........Maureen Evans

Omar Epps...........Phil Stevens

Jamie Kennedy...........Randy Meeks

Jerry O'Connell...........Derek Feldman

Sarah Michelle Gellar...........Casey "Cici" Cooper

Joshua Jackson...........Boy in film class

Laurie Metcalf...........Debbie Salt

Timothy Olyphant.......Mickey Altieri

Elise Neal.......Hallie McDaniel

1997. Rated: R. Genre: Horror, Thriller; 120 minutes

"Scream 2" is a roller coaster horror film that really keeps you guessing. As the film begins, Maureen Evans and her boyfriend, Phil Stevens are going to see the new horror film, "Stab" based on the "Woodsborough Murders" novel written by Gail Weathers. Maureen is reluctant, but Phil encourages her. Phil and Maureen are both murdered while at the Stab movie and the press are going wild. Meanwhile, Sidney is now college and has a new boyfriend, Derek. Her roommate Hallie invites her to a Sorority party that night which Sidney objects to but finally agrees to go. After hearing about the murders on the news, Sidney goes to find Randy who is in his film class. Randy does not believe it is starting all over again and before they can talk any further, Sidney's new boyfriend whisks her away without another word. Gail is approached by an obsessive wanna-be journalist named Debbie Salt whom Gail insults and then walks into the press conference on the murders. Sidney, Randy, Derek, Hallie, and fellow film student Mickey are all watching from above as the press conference takes place. Dewey then shows back up, vowing to keep Sidney safe. Another young girl dies on campus and then Sidney is attacked the same night. Derek runs into help but only gets a cut from his effort. Dewey suspects Derek. Randy suspects everyone. Sidney doesn't know who to suspect but she just wants it to end. Will she ever be able to stop screaming?

I enjoyed "Scream 2" about as well as I enjoyed the first installment. This film will make you think the killer is one person and then it switches to another then another. Finally you are left wondering who it could possibly be. Then after most of the obvious suspects are eliminated, out steps a person you would have never guessed. That, my friends , is the key to a great horror/suspense flick! I think my favorite scene in the movie is when Randy and Dewey are talking about possible suspects. Randy lists the rules of a great sequel: #1. Body count is always bigger. #2. Death scenes are always more elaborate, and then the third one he doesn't get to finish because Dewey interrupted him. We are left wondering what he was about to say and how important it might have been for unraveling the plot.

I also enjoyed Liev Schreiber's repeat performance of accused killer Cotton Weary. He was determined to get more than his "15 minutes of fame" when it came to Sidney falsely identifying him. Especially at the end, when he forces Sidney to do something she refused to do at the beginning of the movie! The only thing I regret is that my favorite Scream survivor gets killed in this flick. Need a hint? He's the one who worked in a video store in the first Scream! If you saw the first Scream movie, you have to see this one to see how it continues!

I rate this film: 8

Blyss