IR Film Review: SCREAM 7 [Paramount]
The aspect of revisiting the Scream franchise reflects in how it is told. The most recent incarnation in many ways worked very well though the essence of what happened afterward behind the scenes changed the direction likely. Neve Campbell also wasn't involved in the last one for other reasons. All these circumstances conglomerated together to bring Scream 7 to the screen and pays both tribute and continuance (as all these films do). The film walks the line between what it originally was and what it needs to be. That said, as a comparison, "Predators" from original cast member Shane Black didn't quite live up to its possibility even with an interesting cast. The same happens here in many ways. Isabel May as Sidney's daughter though is quite good. There is some melodrama she plays into but it works well in concert with Neve's approach (which does need to be meta in a way for obvious reasons for it to work). The misdirects though work well and are likely due to Kevin Williamson, who also takes on directing duties. He is aware of what makes this franchise tick because he helped create it. Campbell apparently was keen to have him on board in this way as well. As a result, this feels like an old "Scream" movie. And with a technology spin, it integrates an interesting thought on its future but also in its present. To give away too much gives away the plot which is part of the point of seeing one of these movies.
Campbell, returning as Sidney, gets the job done but also asserts enough pressure to tell her character's story in the way she wanted while giving a presence of mind to everyone else's. Even Courtney Cox's character gets a little depth (when most of the time she simply was an ambulance chaser -- in not so many words). Joel McHale has the role of Sidney's husband and Anna Camp has a role as a next door neighbor and they do each admirably (though McHale keeps his more grounded). As usual when the killings begin they are conceptual (but so many horror films have emulated it). The killings inside a tavern are quite brutal but definitely in keeping with the franchise. The ending resolution is meant to be smart (and it is) since it doesn't speak down to the audience (even those who have been with it from the very beginning) but it doens't feel new. There are some great bits of directing but funnily enough, a lot of them were in the trailer which is both a good selling point but also sort of selling the film out before one sees it. "Scream 7" works well enough but "Scream 6" was building the world in a different way. Time will tell but in many ways franchises have to go with where the business takes them. "Scream 7" at least retains its DNA without losing sight. B-
By Tim Wassberg
