Better than the woeful Scream 3, partly thanks to the influx of new faces and the return of Williamson. But really it’s more of the same, as the franchise slips further towards total self-parody.
We’ve seen just about everything in Scream 4 before: once, or twice, it was clever and unnerving. By this point Craven has done it all to death.
A desire to Know What You Did Last Instalment is likely to be the biggest draw for Scream number four, but if this proves to be the last in the series, it’s a bloody shame it ended not with a Scream but a whimper.
Scream 4 is not without enjoyment. It's good to see familiar characters back and the opening moments are quite spirited. But it's a film about horror films without being a horror film itself. It's enough to make you scream.
Still smart, amusing and more entertaining than the average horror film.
Scream 4 is fun, but more clever-clever than fiendishly ingenious.
It's all too familiar.
Craven and Williamson know their characters and their audience, delivering imaginative kills, thrills and some solid gags.
Neve Campbell promises 'scary' Scream 4
Don't look now, Scream 4 is here
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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