The Original "Scary Movie"

Scream 4 is hitting theatres this Friday and to celebrate the fourthcoming entry in this ground-breaking franchise, I am taking some time to look back at the last three installments.

Scream

The Story:

It's hard to believe that it's been fifteen years since Scream was originally released. Sidney Prescott was still a young high school student trying to coap with the mysterious death of her mother, Maureen Prescott, a retired horror movie actress. As her mother's death approches its one-year anniversary, a string of gruesome murders stirs up panic in the peaceful community of Woodsboro, California. Eventually Sidney is targeted by the serial killer, but as she turns to her friends for help, she discovers that these killings are somehow intertwined with her mother's death and that she can trust nobody.

My Thoughts:

When it first hit theaters back in 1996, Scream blew up. Today it is credited for not only bringing horror back from the brink of extinction, but for turing the entire genre upside down. Personally, I believe it deserves this recognition. Kevin Williamson's brilliant script poked fun at horror movie cliches and played around with slef-referential humor without ever totally crossing into parody domain. At the same time, Williamson made it suspenseful and intense. Another achievement for the franchise is casting. In no other horror saga will you find more loveable characters and this is due to the pitch-perfect casting and wonderful performances. Definitely one of my all-time favorite films.

P.S.

If poking fun at horror movie cliches sounds familiar, that's because Scream was originally titled "Scary Movie."