Screaming anew

The “Scream” trilogy spawned a few imitators in the ‘90s, but none had the wit, solid characterization, or pop culture-analyzing commentaries of the successful slasher-whodunit series of movies. Over a decade later, surviving characters played by Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette return in “Scream 4,” a timely--if uneven--revival of the popular horror franchise.

So it’s Sidney Prescott, now an author of a well-received autobiography, returning to Woodsboro and reconnecting with former reporter Gale Weathers and her husband Sheriff Riley. The trio survived three previous massacres together and they're now targeted by a new Ghostface, who could be any one of the many characters surrounding them.

“Scream 4,” directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson again, is understandably a must-see for fans or completists, and the new puzzle is almost as intriguingly presented as the previous murder mysteries. But some of the characters this time are just too flat; sure, they ought to be shrouded in mystery, but some are just too dull to be taken seriously. Suspense is also a little thin, as the body count accumulation can get very monotonous. There are iffy moments when revelations are made, as well, and it doesn’t help that some scenes have been toned down/censored in the version showing in local cinemas.

Like the older “Scream” films, this fourth movie has younger actors comprising most of the cast, including Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Adam Brody, Rory Culkin, Kristen Bell, and Anna Paquin, to name a few; some are more integral to the plot than others, but the cameos are nevertheless funny. The film still satirizes, and despite its glaring flaws, it offers a clever and edgy commentary on the evolution of fame and fear in the time of immediate connectivity.