A film class at Windsor College. A smart-aleck named Randy starts a debate about what makes a great sequel. Another student chimes in that “Godfather” and “Aliens” are the only timeless ones. Leave it to “Scream” script writer Kevin Williamson to write the most brilliant tongue-in-cheek scenes of the horror genre in Dimension Films’ “Scream 2.”
Yes, Randy (Jamie Kennedy) is back and so are his Woodsboro sidekicks, Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gail Weathers (Courtney Cox), Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) and eight new cast members including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jada Pinkett and Jerry O’Connell.
In the above scene from the indie film ? originally titled “Scary Movie”? the film class decides horror sequels have to be more gory than the first.
Check.
A dagger slices through Omar Epps’ jaw like a guillotine. Only unlike old Marie Antoinette films, Wes Craven shows it, because, as Randy says, “The core audience expects it.”
There has to be a shower scene.
Check.
The chick in it looks like Drew Barrymore in the original “Scream.”
After the heroine sleeps with her boyfriend, she must be murdered.
Not so fast. Press kits and junkets aside, we are sworn to secrecy.
But what’s not written in invisible ink is the resurgence of the horror genre, combined with a contemporary, satirical angle that has audiences laughing the minute they peep through their hands at the girl who just got butchered.
“Scream 2” begins when a couple (Epps and Pinkett) head to the opening night of “Stab,” a recent take of the best-selling book by sassy and sensational Gail Weathers, based on the Woodsboro murders. What ensues is a movie audience watching a movie audience watching a movie audience scenario.
To Williamson’s clever script ? campier than the original ? Craven provides more blood than “ER,” and the combination makes audience members and cast members sit back and say the same thing: We’re all making fun of ourselves right now.
So is that what makes this an independent film?
It must be, because Mr. Dimension Films (Bob Weinstein) is far from being a starving student with a vision and a Camcorder. “Scream 2,” along with many other recent “indie” movies, has an all-star cast, multiple sets (it was filmed in both Atlanta and Los Angeles) and a rather plump budget. So why did they do it?
Because we love to watch.
The “Scream” sequel requires its audiences be somewhat intelligent. Characters like Randy and Deputy Dewey ooze with cynicism and bring in a contemporary element ? with the use of everything from language to sorority-girl scenarios ? that make you think you and your friends are the ones getting slashed to pieces, one by one.
Arquette gives one of his best performances as the slightly jaded, tougher Deputy Dewey. He has a limp now ? an injury sustained from rescuing Syd in the Woodsboro murders ? but he’s still got a soft spot for Weathers.
Cox does a polished, tighter job as the TV sensationalist. Gail has a bit more style now, but the story still comes first for her. Her book got the wrongly accused Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) out of jail, and now Cotton’s just looking to get some air time with Gail to prove his innocence.
Does he go looking for Syd? Will Dewey ever get laid? Will Syd’s roommate go psycho if Syd doesn’t agree to join her sorority?
Another rule of a fine sequel. We can’t tell you the answers.
