Alright, we're halfway through the Scream movies. Typically I generally prefer to review a movie as a whole give my final critique at the end, but for those who just want the nutshell review up-front, I'll provide it for this movie. How I feel about Scream 3... I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! Now for the full review...
Scream 3 takes place a few years after Scream 2. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) moves to an isolated house in the middle of the woods trying to live a quiet life, Gale and Dewey (Courtney Cox and David Arquette) are broken up once again, and the third entry of the Stab horror movies has gone into production (the movies based on the events of the previous two films). The horror begins again after cast members of Stab 3 begin getting murdered by a new Ghostface Killer and Sidney starts receiving threatening calls again. Geez, doesn't this plot sound familiar???
Okay, I will say this, complaining that horror movies have repetitive plots is basically preaching to the choir, but most of the time, slasher series have no qualms or doubts about how inherently cheesy they are. The Scream series, on the other hand, rides on this constant notion that that it's far smarter than it really is, but really just bases it's premise on a lame gimmick that, while modestly clever at first, is looking seriously tired now. The main problem with this one, however, is that it abandons the little credibility the first two had by becoming EXACTLY what it's predecessors were spoofing in the first place! Scream 3 only thinks that's its a clever insight into film trilogies when in reality, it's nothing more than a generic slasher movie... and a bad one at that! The characters are annoying, the plot is a re-tread of it's predecessors, the kills are uninspired, and the story is as dull and predictable as they get.
Scream 3 aims to be the concluding movie of the Scream trilogy. Just like the first laid out the rules for a horror film and the second offered motifs into the rules for a sequel, Scream 3 includes references to trilogies. As per the movie's description, the concluding third act should be an over-the-top, no holds barred, big and epic climax. So... why didn't they follow the rules they set out? Scream 3 almost totally abandons the big or epic trilogy concept by substantially cutting down on the blood. There are no memorable kills and there's just barely enough blood to nudge it's way into R-Rating territory. So now it's not just stupid, but it's also boring as hell!
The acting is just atrocious for the most part. Neve Campbell actually kind of grew into her part a little. Even though she doesn't have much range, she actually exhibits more charisma than anyone else. Unfortunately, they pretty much ignore her until the third act, preferring to chill out with its supporting cast until then. Cox and Arquette are the focus for most of this but both phone in bland and underwhelming performances while they go through the motions of the stupid tacked on love-story subplot once again. Parker Posey tags along as an up-and-coming actress named Jennifer. The Scream series has seen plenty of annoying characters, but none as incredibly cringe-inducing as Posey. I don't think I have ever wanted to see a character get killed as much as I did her.
When you get right down to it, Scream 3's biggest problem is that nobody looks interested. Wes Craven might have well have been on creative auto-pilot when he directed this. The guy knows horror, I don't think anyone will deny that. And even though I didn't particularly like the first Scream, I could appreciate that passion for the genre that it displayed. But here, Craven doesn't care, the cast doesn't care, and the script is uninspired. Its clear that this movie was nothing more than a paycheck for those involved and a cash-in for the studio. The only thing I actually found somewhat amusing were a couple chuckles I got from a few cameos of Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith (as Jay and Silent Bob) and a short appearance from Carrie Fisher. Still, even they couldn't save this piece of crap.
In conclusion, its a dumb movie with a lame story, predictable ending, hammy performances, and no suspense. Let me reiterate what I wrote at the beginning of this review... I FUCKING HATE THIS MOVIE!!! Don't bother watching it... even for curiosity's sake.
My Score: Half Star out of 5!
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