Scream 3 is a Scream
by Andy Moseley - reprinted with permission from the March 2000 Mariners' Log
Do you like scary movies? The Scream dynasty has been great for the folks at Dimension Films, bringing in a whole lot of money from teenagers like myself. I'm not usually one for scary movies, especially with all of the gore, but the Scream trilogy has really caught my attention. Maybe it's that Neve Campbell is in all three and I really like Neve. Maybe it's that there are all kinds of inside jokes. Maybe it's that Kevin Williamson did such a great job writing the first two. Maybe it's even that somebody dragged me to the second one (kicking and screaming) on its opening night right after showing me the first one and creeping me out. Whatever the reason, I was really anticipating the arrival of Scream 3.
To understand this three-quel, the viewer needs to see the first two and know the whole story. If you haven't seen them, DO NOT READ THE NEXT TWO PARAGRAPHS, but you might want to look back at the October 1999 Mariners' Log for my reviews of the first two Scream movies, online at http://www.geocities.com/marinerslog/.
The original Scream came out in 1996 and was aimed directly at the teenage population-or at least at those teens old enough to make it into a movie rated "R." Sidney Prescott's mother had been murdered years earlier, and on the anniversary of the murder, a killer is after Sidney. From the high school to her house, the killer or killers chase after Sidney, making examples by slashing others. Deputy Dewey Riley, whose sister is among the victims, is put on the case to protect Sidney. Reporter Gale Weathers does her best National Enquirer impression, trying to get as much dirt on the story as she can. As it turns out, she is right smack in the middle of the story. As the movie draws to a close, not one but two killers are revealed. Sidney, Gale, and Dewey survive, but not before a major fight with the killers.
Scream 2, made in 1997, picks up a year or so later. Sidney is now in college, Dewey isn't working as a deputy anymore, and Gale has written a book all about the previous events. Scream 2 starts with a movie within the movie. Stab, an adaptation of Gale's book, is being shown when the mysterious ghost-faced killer strikes again. Sure enough, the masked menace finds the way to the college, where the chase is on again. Everyone accuses everyone else of being the killer, as there are no real suspects. This time, Sidney has to go one-on-two with the killers-until Gale and Cotton Weary, who Sidney originally accused of killing her mother, show up.
That leads us into Scream 3. First, let's take a look at our cast. Neve Campbell, also known for starring in the television show Party of Five and the movie Wild Things, returns as Sidney Prescott. David Arquette (yes, the 1-800-CALL-ATT guy) is back as Dewey Riley. Courtney Cox-Arquette-who, by the way, met David Arquette on the set of the first Scream, fell in love, and married him-once again stars as Gale Weathers. Liev Schreiber returns as Cotton Weary, and the voice of the killer(s) is once again provided by Roger Jackson. Of course, Wes Craven wants to bring in a whole bunch of new people to slaughter as well. Parker Posey is the stand-out new star, playing the Stab version of Gale Weathers to perfection. Also making first-time appearances are Jenny McCarthy as Sarah Darling in Stab, Patrick Dempsey as Detective Mark Kincaid, and Scott Foley as Stab director Roman Bridger, among many others. There are also cameos by Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame and a certain horror movie director whose first name spelled backwards is Sew. For those who have yet to see the movie, I will try to not spoil anything.
Sidney has moved way out in the boondocks and is working under an assumed name for a phone-advice service. Meanwhile in Hollywood, the stars of Stab are going through the same torture as the casts of Scream have endured. ( In fact, the killer has the script for Stab and is killing off the actors in the order they die in the script.) Sidney eventually finds her way to Hollywood, finds herself reuniting with Gale and Dewey, and the chase is on. (Incidentally, the killings are much more dramatic this time around, since Dimension had a lot more money to put into this movie than into the first two. There is fire this time in addition to all of those knives and guns.) Sidney ends up following a lead to the movie owner's mansion from Stab; Dewey and Gail are being held there by the killer. A wild hunt is on, one final brawl between Sidney and her nemesis occurs, and the movie is over. As usual, I was totally shocked when the killer is unmasked. I will tell you that, at the end of the movie, the door is left open-literally-for a Scream 4, if Wes Craven, Neve, and the gang decide to get back together and make more money.
Again, if you haven't seen the first two Scream movies, don't bother seeing the third one; you'll only be confused. Before seeing Scream 3, go rent Scream and Scream 2. They should be on the shelves at the nearest video store. When you watch them, have a blanket handy; you’ll want something to dive under at times.
Would I recommend Scream 3? Yes. Going by the University System of Georgia grading scale of A, B, C, D, and F, I would give Scream 3 an A. Putting aside my love for Neve Campbell and my enthusiasm for the series in general, I would still highly recommend this movie-but, again, only if you've seen the first two. By the time this article hits the stands, Scream 3 will probably be out of theatres, but don't fret; it should be on pay-per-view and video shortly.
How did I do on my review? If you have seen the movie, do you agree or disagree? E-mail me at andy1278@hotmail.com and let me know!
By the way . . . wasn’t that your phone ringing?
