Scream 3

2000’s Scream 3, directed by Wes Craven.

Starring Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Parkey Posey, Patrick Dempsey, Emily Watson, Scott Foley, Patrick Warburton, Melissa McCarthy, Lance Henrikson, Liev Schrieber, Carrie Fisher, and Jamie Kennedy.

What is it about?

Haunted by her dreams, perpetual victim Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) hides in anonymity in the hills of Los Angeles. While production of the horror sequel, Stab 3, continues, people on the movie set start to die. Convinced that he can find the killer, Dewey Riley (David Arquette) becomes a consultant on the film set, and journalist Gail Weathers (Courtney Cox) senses (another) story in the making. Together the 3 of them reunite to uncover yet again the person responsible for bringing back the Ghostface killer. Will Sidney continue her streak of being one of horror’s most resilient final girls?

Why is it worth seeing?

Director Wes Craven returns in the third entry of the slasher pastiche franchise. Reuniting with his trio of Neve Campbell’s heroine Sidney Prescott, David Arquette’s humble Dewey Riley, and Courtney Cox’s investigative Gail Weathers, they forego the writing of Kevin Williamson (who did the previous 2 movies) for scriptor Ehren Kruger. The results, while not quite matching the originality of the original, are superior to that of Scream 2.

By the third movie in the franchise, you probably have a decent idea of the ground covered in the Scream canon. Dripping with self awareness of both the genre AND the series’ effects on the horror genre, Scream 3 doubles down on the meta factor through its Los Angeles based film shoot setting. Having “actors” portray the characters (such as Parker Posey’s mimicry of Gail Weathers) side by side while trying to escape the advances of yet another ghostface killer in a Hollywood set made to look like the homes depicted in the original, enhances the irony that much further. With little left to do but to try to top its self references, the Russian Doll structure accompanies the now practically standard jump scare fake outs, red herrings, and rampant speculation as to whom this time is behind the (comically clumsy) killer.

While never straying from the formula described above, writer Ehren Kruger brings aboard a different sensibility to the screenplay. There’s a coherence, and momentum, so absent in the second film, that is most welcome- making for a smoother ride. However, the Cox and Arquette relationship remains baffling. For the third movie in a row, they display chemistry, and work through yet another estrangement from each other (these past 2 films), that again is never explained or commented upon. You’d think the 2 of them would have the sense to actually stick together, since they spend the whole movie playing detective to find the killer. Campbell on the other hand, whom just wants to get over her trauma and move on, continues to be tormented. As capable and exciting to watch as ever, the movie’s closing shot of Sidney is a tribute to the power of resilience.

With more ironic death, more thrilling chases, and enough self reference to make Hollywood blush, some new wrinkles are overshadowed by the series’ contractual obligation. At the time, it was thought that this would be the last entry in the series. But you know how hard it is to keep the incompetent imitators at bay.

Rating:

3/5

Trailer: Click Here.