‘Scream 4’
Fifteen years ago, audiences were scared by a killer in a ghost costume, sporting a creepy voice and a long knife. It was the start of a generation of scary movies, spawning sequels and an entire generation of fright.
The movie was “Scream,” and in the fourth installment, director Wes Craven is trying to bring back the fear that has been lost in the sequels that went from strange to silly. In “Scream 4,” Sydney Prescott returns to her hometown, where the original murders happened, on a tour for her latest book. The killer returns, the town is thrown into panic, and a whole new cast of characters is in danger.
The best part of “Scream 4” is that it isn’t too far a departure from the first movie. While there are some new, younger cast members, all of the still-living originals are in the movie. Neve Campbell plays Sydney as only she can, while Courtney Cox and David Arquette are still mainstays. Even Craven has come back to add his grim take to the movie.
That’s not to say the new cast members can’t pull their own weight. “Scream 4” is anchored by Emma Roberts, who plays Prescott’s niece, but includes appearances from Hayden Panettiere, Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin and Shenae Grimes. The newcomers have a lot of talent, and really seem to embrace the horror that they grew up with.
“Scream 4” won’t be the best movie of 2011, but it certainly has the potential to be one of the best horror pictures. At the very least, it will transport its audience back to a time when horror movies were simpler, transparent and always left you guessing.
— Corianne Egan
Director: Wes Craven
Run Time: 111 mins.
Theater: Cinemark, 5159 Hinkleville Road, Paducah
Showtimes: Noon, 1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m., 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For more, visit cinemark.com
