After the critical and financial
success that 'Scream' became in 1996, a sequel was immediately put into works,
which got released only a year later with the entire central cast returning and
an entirely new ghostface to catch. While this could very well become another
terrible cash grab that was only made to cash in on the popularity of the first
film... is it though?
'Scream 2' is not just a soulless cash grab, in fact it is a
fantastic sequel that almost surpasses the first film if it were not for a
disappointing third act. This film does not get that much love with the
audience but I really think it should as it is just as smart as the first film
and many of the character moments are improved. It may not be as good as the first film but that does
not mean it should not get a whole lot of props for what it pulls off when you consider
what it could have ended up being.
I really love the opening scene because it does not try to do the same thing as the first film (and it definitely should not even try to top it). It plays perfectly on the audiences expectations as what everybody really wanted to see was Ghostface. Ghostface, Ghost face, Ghostface. Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven made the ingenious move to have it all take place in a theatre where they are showing a movie based on the events of the first film called Stab - which of course means everybody dressed up as Ghostface. Not only is this a perfect setting to play with the popularity of the first film but it is also heaven for our new Ghostface killer as he can easily blend in with the crowd... which he does. Brilliant opening scene that sets the tone perfectly and shows that there has clearly been actual thought put into this.
Williamson and Craven continues being very clever by doing the
smart thing and barely show Ghostface until the end of the film. They do not
just give you a lot of Ghostface because that is who the audience wants to see
- they hold back and make his few appearances in the film actually mean something. Sadly this is a problem
that 'Scream 3' made but that is for another review. Whenever Ghostface does show up though is great. He is just as threatening here as in the first film, in fact I think the deaths here are improved upon (especially with one of them which caught everybody completely off guard but is a fantastic scene).
One of the best scenes of the
film in my opinion is in the classroom where they are discussing movie sequels.
There is great self-referential dialogue here, they debate whether or not
someone is trying to make a real life sequel to the events of ‘Scream’ and
whether or not sequels are any good in general. This plays perfectly on one of Kevin
Williamson’s strength as a writer. However there is one line were they are
talking about ‘Aliens’ and one character reenacts the line “Get away from her you
bitch!” and for some reason Randy responds with “I believe the line is ‘stay
away from her you bitch’?” – And no it is not. I have no clue why he says it
when he is supposed to be some kind of a film geek. The scene would have worked
of course if they flipped the line.
The weakest part of the film is
the reveal of who is behind the Ghostface mask this time, the performance by
the person is way too over the top and very hard to take seriously. In the
first film it was a great performance and an excellent descent into absolute
madness. It is very disappointing but does not harm an otherwise great film and yet again one of the best horror movies of the 90's.
8/10
- Lucas
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