Scream
This conversation was what I had
in mind while I watched Scream. First released in 1996, it would
certainly be a horror classic in some people’s minds. Again, an odd thought to
me because I would see House on Haunted Hill, the 1959 film starring
Vincent Price, as classic, not a movie from the 90s, but anyway . . .
I decided to watch Scream
because of the release of the fifth movie in the series. My thought was that
before I watched the new movie, I should start from the beginning and work my
way up to it. At the time I was not sure if I had seen all the movies in the series.
I may have, but possibly not all the way through. So, off I went to the library
to start my Scream adventure.
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| Scream Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich |
The danger begins
A brutal killer is on the loose
in the town of Woodsboro, California. High school students Casey Becker (Drew
Barrymore) and her boyfriend, Steve Orth (Kevin Patrick Walls), have been
murdered. Everyone is supposed to be on alert for a killer, especially the
other students in the high school.
I say “supposed to be” because
most of the students are far more concerned about having something to gossip
about than their safety.
Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell)
is the only one truly alarmed by how Casey and Steve died. Her own mother was
raped and murdered the year before. For Sidney, murder is not a form of
entertainment.
This becomes even more the case
when Sidney is attacked in her home. The attacker wore a black robe and a
black hood with a white face mask. This is the same costume Casey and Steve’s
killer wore. The killer gains the name of “Ghostface” (voiced by Roger L.
Jackson).
Sidney manages to get away. Her boyfriend, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), appears soon after and is arrested as a suspect. His quick arrival after the attack is just too coincidental.
To stay safe, Sidney agrees to stay at her friend’s house. Sidney’s father is missing, and after the attack, it is best she is not alone. Her friend, Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan), is happy to have her. There will also be the added safety of her brother, Deputy Sheriff Dewey Riley (David Arquette). He lives at home with his sister and mother, and while Dewey’s not exactly the best police officer in the world, his presence is something.
Scream
Skeet Ulrich
Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan
Courteney Cox
The danger grows
The killings are bringing
attention to the town. With that attention comes reporter Gale Weathers
(Courteney Cox).
Gale and Sidney have a very bad
history. After the man Sidney identified as her mother’s killer was put in
prison, Gale wrote a book about the murder and the man identified, Cotton Weary
(Liev Schreiber). This book is the reason why when Gale asks Sidney for an interview, Sidney punches her in the face.
After the attack on Sidney,
school is suspended and a curfew is put into place. So of course, someone
decides to throw a party.
The party is at the house of
another friend of Sidney’s, Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard). While everyone is
inside having a good time, Ghostface kills Tatum without anyone knowing.
A full house during the party, it
quickly empties when the students hear their principal, Arthur Himbry (Henry Winkler), has been killed. (How can anyone kill the Fonz, really?!) Only a few
people are left in the house after the others leave. That is when even more
trouble begins.
More danger to come
One of the remaining guests is
Sidney’s friend Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy). He has spent the entire movie
comparing what is happening in Woodsboro to horror movies he has seen. The Halloween
series he particularly likes to reference. Completely wrapped up in his horror
movie knowledge, Randy doesn’t even notice Ghostface is nearby.
Other than Randy, the only people
remaining in the house are Sidney, Billy, and Stu. Gale has planted a camera in
the house and is nearby, as are her camera man, Kenny Jones (W. Earl Brown),
and Dewey.
With the house empty of partygoers, Ghostface makes his move.
Watch out, Sidney!
The main target is Sidney, but
both Dewey and Randy are attacked as well. Kenny is killed. Billy, Stu, and
Gale are injured.
With everyone either hurt or
dead, the question is, who is Ghostface? Is it possible this killer is in the
group of people I just mentioned?
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| Film Reel Kate Dorsey |
A movie of its time
It is very different watching Scream
on a TV screen rather than a movie screen. Nothing is as big or scary. Even
less scary when there are commercial interruptions. I watched a DVD and
thankfully did not have that happen.
The age of Scream was
apparent as I watched it. When Billy was arrested, the police questioned him about
why he had a cell phone. Now a person without a cell phone would be seen as suspicious.
Another age sign was Randy
putting in a VHS tape when he was at the party. The fact I watch DVDs would
make some shake their heads. A VHS would really cause these people problems.
As for my thoughts on this, to
each their own. If you like to stream, fine. Prefer a DVD of some sort (DVD,
Blu-Ray, or 4K), go for it. Still prefer VHS? Good for you. In the end, it
really does not matter.
Scream 2 I knew I had seen
all the way through before I reserved it from the library. Still, I will
rewatch it on my way to the newest movie. I am curious to see what other
changes I will notice about the way we live compared from then to today. Maybe
it is these changes that are what has turned a movie from the 90s into a
classic. If that is the case, I may have to rethink my classic movie timeline.
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