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Scream 3: A Review Shaun Richardson | Copy Editor 
Last weekend, Scream 3, the supposed final installment in the
Scream franchise, slashed its way onto the silver screen, proving
itself a chunk of box-office gold despite studio worries of inappropriate
timing.
The film provides yet another look into the life of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who cannot seem to avoid running afoul of serial killers wearing costumes inspired by the art of Edvard Munch. The movie also sees the return of several other Scream veterans, including Dewey Riley (David Arquette), Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox-Arquette) and Cotton Weary (Liev Schriber), who all must once again face the menace of Mr. Ghostface while trying to establish lives for themselves in Hollywood. Relying more upon humor than its two predecessors, the latest offering in the "thrillogy" keeps the mind of the viewer alternating from periods of suspense and terror to periods of laughter. This laughter is greatly due to the standout performances of two actresses new to the series, Jenny McCarthy and Parker Posey, who play the roles of Sarah Darling and Jennifer Jolie, respectively. These two women, both portraying actresses on the movie within a movie Stab 3, deliver over-the-top performances that make their characters quite lovable (a quality necessary in order for any potential victim of a movie serial killer to win the audience's support and concern). The dynamic between Gale Weathers and Jennifer Jolie, who plays Gale in the Stab movies, is another source of laughs in the film, as the two turn the movie into one big "cat fight." Generating concern from the audience is something that many of the film's characters fail to do, marking the only significant failing of the film. The rest of the characters borrowed from Stab 3 provide the viewer with little reason to hope that they will survive Ghostface's onslaught. Indeed, some, such as Sidney's Stab 3 counterpart (Emily Mortimer), are so annoying and hollow, that the viewer almost hopes for quick relief from their presences. Proving that there's life after the '80s, Patrick Dempsey shows up in the role of Detective Mark Kincaid, an investigator in the murders on the Stab set who cannot help but play the hero to Sidney's damsel in distress. Cameo appearances also make positive contributions to the film. Indie favorite Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse) drops in as the sister of the Sidney's late friend Randy, and Carrie Fisher momentarily loans herself to the camera to play a Carrie Fisher look-alike named Virginia Grey, who laments on how close she was to getting the part of Princess Leia in another famous trilogy. Despite the success of the previous Scream films he penned, scribe Kevin Williamson opted not to reprise his role as screenplay writer in the trilogy's final chapter, relinquishing the duty to Ehren Kruger (Arlington Road). This personnel change does not diminish the film's quality, though, a fact probably attributable to the return of Horror Master Wes Craven to the director's chair. Craven provides excellent direction that forces the viewer to examine every possible avenue when trying to solve the mystery of the murderer's identity. Overall, Scream 3 does its job. It delivers plenty of suspense and thrills while still managing to be entertaining and wildly amusing. Will this be the last Scream film? Let's just remember this: there was once a Friday the 13th film subtitled "The Final Chapter." That was Friday the 13th Part 4. Responses: Refresh frame to view latest entries.
Comments: Dear "lame article" commentator: Where exactly do you get the idea that this article sucks? This is a strikingly professional movie review and it weighs all the aspects of the film together. Would you rather Shaun wrote "This movie was crap" or "I liked the movie. It was good. Thank You"? I admit that the article is not the most amazing thing ever written, but there really is no ground for you to attack it. Name: shaun Comments: Name: jeff, experienced writer Comments:
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