“What is your favorite horror movie?” It emits an ominous sound into the phone and, depending on the receiver, the horrible game of cat and mouse goes to different extremes. The lasting legacy of the “Scream” series may have faltered recently, especially with the controversy surrounding the yet-to-be-released “Scream 7,” but it's no stretch to say that the early entries helped shape the series. movie. The rules of the slasher genre in conventional horror. The original “Scream” is perfect for several reasons: it sets the tone with a truly effective opening scene, maintains tension with a series of red herrings, and pulls off a powerful and memorable killer reveal just before the climax. As the story progressed over the years, the meta-nature of the sequels gradually became a central part of the series' identity, with the recent “Scream VI” changing its established rules and taking a more independent approach to the location of the mythology surrounding birth. of the ghost's faces.
It's hard to say which “Scream” movie is the best, as is the case with “Scream.” barely Each film has something unique to offer. However, if we were to rely solely on Rotten Tomatoes scores, “Scream 2” emerges as the highest-rated entry in the franchise currently, with an 81% on the tomatometer. As great as 1996's “Scream” was, its sequel manages to subvert the expectations that often dog the successor to the beloved indie hit, even going so far as to leak a fictional script to circumvent leaks and deliver seemingly self-aware thrills. . The formula you are emulating. Plus, with the return of existing characters, the stakes seem dramatically higher, as those who survived the first film are now no longer safe from the clutches of a new masked killer. As more bodies fall, the deaths become more serious, as we have a lot of time to understand how some of these characters move, especially when faced with such an unexpected source of horror.
Scream 2 makes the slasher sequel formula work
The metacommentary that “Scream 2” injects into its narrative through Randy (Jamie Kennedy), who constantly reminds the characters (and us) of the rules of an effective sequel, provides a satirical tone that endures in the “stab” universe. ” of the franchise. . The publicity surrounding the events in Woodsboro gave rise to a franchise that self-consciously imitates the inner workings of its real-world counterpart, and the irony of the setting is manifested through the stark opening scene, which highlights the horrors of media exploitation and how it has been exploited. It is received by the fans.
As “Stab” takes over the imagination of the townspeople, we become aware of their growing desensitization to the on-screen murders, leaving them unable to distinguish between written death and real death, even when the latter occurs right before their eyes. eyes. . “Scream 2” is smart enough to anticipate the ugliness of real-world tragedies that are exploited for corporate gain, where a person's biggest nightmare is instantly transformed into a commodity that the public happily uses without thought or care. The Ghostface impersonation in “Scream 2” takes advantage of this dire situation, blending seamlessly with dozens of onlookers wearing his trademark mask and cape, and brutally stabbing an audience member (Jada Pinkett Smith) in plain sight. The worst part? Ghostface gets his way.
On the other hand, we witness how the tragedy (and its gross media commodification) has affected Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who seems more isolated and stressed, despite his determination to survive this hell. The news of the fake Ghostface fills her with concern for other survivors like Randy, and the more steadfast Dewey (David Arquette) does everything he can to prevent a repeat of the tragic past. Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) remains as opportunistic as ever, but is now acutely aware of the high cost of such exploitation as she is a target like Sidney, which creates a new layer to her character.
Scream 2 explores the trauma of being a survivor
While Sidney takes a (rightly) more cautious approach to new relationships, Randy deals with the shock by adopting a more relaxed and socially austere attitude while confidently laughing that the sequels are inherently inferior and will never be able to surpass the original. Leaning heavily on shoddy movies and borderline morbid hijinks may be Randy's way forward, and this hopeful outlook is quickly undermined by a brutal outdoor murder. Hurts When we least expect it. In the midst of all this chaos, wrongly accused Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) is presented as a red herring to keep us guessing about the copycat's identity, and it works to a point, as Cotton seems malicious enough to be able to commit the crime. crime. crimes in appropriate circumstances.
There are new faces facing the danger that Ghostface represents for the first time, like Cici (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who was part of an impressive chase sequence before being thrown from a balcony to her death. The cause of his death is initially unclear, but Gail and Dewey discover the pattern and its connection to the original Woodsboro murders, providing a valuable clue to the possible killer. Aside from that chase scene, all the other high-stakes scenes are brilliantly choreographed, including Ghostface's chase of Gale through the film department and the “Agamemnon” rehearsal where everything explodes when the choir surrounds Sidney, who she plays Cassandra appropriately.
Throughout “Scream 2,” life imitates art after the latter is used to capitalize on real-life horrors, and the damaging cycle continues, constantly blurring the lines between what is depicted and what is real. Surviving the onslaught of the past and present at the same time takes its toll, and Sydney emerges as a motivated survivor who is unwilling to let anyone rewrite her destiny, not even the unpredictability of the angry Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalfe). After the killer is caught, all is well in Woodsboro, until Ghostface's next wave of murders destabilizes the hard-won peace.
