Spooky Season 2022: Scream 2 Review

It’s a very hard feat for a sequel to recapture, let alone match the brilliance of its predecessor. And whilst Scream 2 certainly doesn’t come close to matching the magic of the original, it is still no less a fantastic sequel. Bringing the cast back, the film is yet another engaging meta slasher that doesn’t get the praise it deserves.

When two college students are murdered at a screening of a movie based on the events of the first Scream called Stab, Sydney (Campbell), Gail Weathers (Cox), Deputy Dewey Riley (Arquette), and Randy (Jaime Kennedy) must find out the identity of the copycat before they claim more victims or end up being killed themselves.

The film’s intro is spectacular that and a very worthy follow-up to the intro of the original Scream. The set up is perfect, and having the two characters at a screening of a film with parallels to the original was genius with others innocently dressed as Ghostface was a nice touch.

The new mystery is just as engaging as the first film. Sadly, none of the characters were as endearing and entertaining as those in the original. However, the cast is still great with Campbell, Kennedy, Cox and Arquette returning to battle Ghostface once more. Scream 2 boasts some awesome new faces, including Sarah Michelle Geller, Timothy Oliphant, Jerry O’Connell, Laurie Metcalf and Jada Pinkett Smith. Despite the less interesting characters, the film is just as entertaining and complex, as viewers are left trying to figure out who is under the Ghostface mask.

The meta commentary is still very compelling, but sadly, the commentary here isn’t as tight or developed as the ingenious meta-ness of the first, focusing on sequels as a whole. But the commentary as a whole feels a little too broad and less engaging. Meanwhile, Scream 2 does contain a lot of memorable moments with ample amounts of tension and suspense among some of the best in the franchise along with some not so great moments that go without saying. The Ghostface reveal, however, was so good and matched the same intensity of the original. Although it may not bring all that much new to the table, the ultimate reveal was still no less shocking.

At the end of the day, Scream 2 is a very satisfying and interesting sequel and one that is a worthy follow-up to the impeccable Scream. The story is engaging, the cast is awesome, and the film delivers some of the best moments in the franchise. Unfortunately, the commentary this time around does not compare to the original. Nonetheless, it is still a brilliant sequel that deserves so much more praise.

*still courtesy of Dimension Films*

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Olly Dyche

Journalist, Writer, Film Critic and Professional Nerd. You will probably find Olly at the cinema chomping down on some popcorn and taking in the glorious visuals of the latest theatrical release.