SCREAM
A film review by Adam Joyce
Copyright 1997 Adam Joyce
Scream is a film for all fans of the horror genre. Directed by Wes Craven, well known for writing and directing the first of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies (and signing away the rights to the sequels in the process), the film is an analysis of horror movies within a horror movie.
The film opens with the death of Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore), a young female, home alone, who lives away from the city. De ja vu? She is terrorised by an anonymous caller (who just happens to have a deep and scary voice) who asks her questions about famous horror films, and demands that she answer them correctly or her boyfriend, who's tied up on the patio, will die. Eventually both her boyfriend and Casey are killed. Her death involves the typical chase through the house, lock all the doors scenario. From here the film jumps to the local high school, where the students discover the news about their friends. I'm sure you've heard it all before, but that's the idea.
Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is the next victim of the killer's terror campaign. Throughout the film the characters discuss the ridiculous aspects within horror films. Sidney talks to the killer on the phone (not aware of who he is) about how stupid it is that the people in horror films run up the stairs instead of out the front door, but once she is the victim, she does the same herself. In this respect the film is somewhat funny, and it's meant to be, it's a parody of real horror flicks.
Sidney survives the ordeal, and her boyfriend is taken into custody over the matter. As the film develops almost every character comes under suspicion of being the killer, and one has to notice the intricate details within the film to have any idea of who the killer could really be. Gate Weathers (Courteney Cox), a tabloid reporter, also becomes involved. Sidney's mother was killed and raped one year previous to the time in which the film is set, and Gate Weathers claims that the wrong man is in jail for the crime. Hmmmm.....I wonder who could be the real killer of Sidney's mother? Could it by any chance be the current killer in town? Probably, because this film is all about horror stereotypes, and you have to know them well to solve the mystery. One by one the characters are killed off, and in the process so are the suspects.
Scream is a clever thriller/horror/comedy about horror movies. If you're a horror film fan than you might pick up on the special touches, such as the school cleaner wearing a red and white striped t-shirt (like Freddy Krueger's). The film used a record amount of blood, and there is plenty of gore to keep the audience screaming (and at times, purposely, laughing). The film's characters even explore the rules for surviving horror films, for example, characters must be innocent virgins or they die. You can also watch as the characters break these rules, and then sometime later on, suffer the consequences. The film plays on the stereotypes of other horror films, i.e. the seemingly dead killer must come back to life for a final battle.
The characters are portrayed suitably, in the style of all good horror films. Scream itself is enjoyable, allowing the audience to both jump and to laugh. If you're familiar with horror films, and especially if you're a fan, then Scream is worth your time.
Can you work out who the killer is?
4 out of 5
Scream reviewed by ADAM JOYCE
Please visit Movie Mania at http://www.home.aone.net.au/joyce/adamframe.htm
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