Scre4m (2011) Film 19/50

Scre4m? More like L4me.

Wes Craven broke ground with the first installment of the Scream series (although I still find myself baffled over the high billing Drew Barrymore continues to receive for her participation in said series). The second and third movies fared well with critics, particularly since it was believed that they were rounding off a TRILOGY (that means you stop after making THREE movies, Wes) aimed at providing commentary on society's obsession with the horror genre. Why ten years after this supposed trilogy was complete Craven found it necessary to add a fourth...well, only he and/or his bank statements can explain.

There are several reasons this film fails where the others succeeded. I should now warn you that there may be a few spoilers coming your way...although I pinky-promise that I won't giveaway who killer is.

First and foremost, there are no further pearls of wisdom from Randy (Jamie Kennedy); his role in the previous three films had provided a necessary comedic relief whilst laying down the "ground rules" for how to survive/the rationale for making each movie. His "replacement" in Scre4m (Robbie, played by Erik Knudsen) is far too annoying for the audience to like and, therefore, makes for better Ghostface-Bait than Voice of Reason. Additionally, Randy's character had always managed to clarify the circumstances and motivation behind Craven's vision with each film. This latest movie lacks that perspective entirely.

Another big problem...the inability to suspend disbelief at the overly unbelievable lack of preparation on the part of every Woodsboro resident. You'd think having been faced with over a decade's worth of stupid pranks on the anniversary of the most gruesome multiple homicide ever, this town would have their act together. Yet, no. Instead...the police force is inept, the student population is without compassion, and the previous films' surviving victims have willingly chosen to either live and/or visit Woodsboro on the one day of the year they should be heading for the hills. Not to mention, no one seems to have the brains to use their cellphones to either call 9-1-1 or phone-a-friend prior to opening the front door or exiting the safety of their locked car. It's as if they're just askin' for a stabbin'.

And don't even get me started on the casting. Hayden Penettiere? Emma Roberts? Rory Culkin? Mary McDonnell? Remember when these films used to cast hot guys like Skeet Ulrich, Luke Wilson, Liev Schreiber, Scott Foley, and Patrick Dempsey? And speaking of Dempsey...why was there no explanation as to what his character was up to now? Maybe I had zoned out for that moment, but he and Sydney seemed like they had what it took to last as a couple...you know, that same bond Courteney Cox and David Arquette share.

Wait...too soon?

Apparently, Craven wants to make a fifth Scream. I really hope he makes a time-machine instead and goes back to 2009/2010 to talk some sense into himself. However, if he does make the next one, I hope he takes a page from the Leprechaun series and sets the story in space (technically, this is the setting for the fourth Leprechaun film, but Craven's series needs the space theme before we can truly accept the premise for Scream in the Hood). Scream 5: Ghostface in Space has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it, Wes?

I seriously need to finish reading The Magicians already...