By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
With the fifth installment of
"Scream," Paramount pictures looks to breathe new life into this successful movie franchise.
The late, great
Wes Craven (“Red Eye”) who died in 2015, directed the original 1996 “Scream” movie as well as the 1997, 2000 and 2011 box office hit follow ups.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett ("Ready or Not") along with executive producer Chad Villella, ("Ready or Not") take the helm this time around. "Scream," which the filmmakers call a "Requel"--a cross between a remake and sequel--has its moments, but they are short-lived. Still, nostalgia goes a long way and "Scream" features pop culture references and other clever winks and nods to the franchise.
The more things change in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, the more they remain the same. We are introduced to new characters such as Jack Quaid (TV's "The Boys"), Jenna Ortega (TV’s "Wednesday") and Melissa Barrera ("In the Heights") and other teens who become prey for the new masked Ghostface Killer that is terrorizing their hometown.
"Scream" original heroes, former sheriff Dewey Riley (David Arquette, TV's "High Heel"), news reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox, TV's "Modern Family"), (Neve Campbell, "The Lincoln Lawyer"), and Deputy Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton, TV's "Manhunt") become major players in this bloody nightmare.
This installment will probably satisfy diehard "Scream" fans itching for a trip back down memory lane. Plus, it should do well at the box office and could even take down "Spider-Man: No Way Home" which has held the No. 1 spot for four straight weeks.
However, for me the thrill is gone from this series and much of the reason is because of the absence of Wes Craven. He was a master at bringing the right amount of shocks, thrills, and humor.
Call it what you want, but this "Scream" requel/sequel/reboot doesn't have much to shout or scream about.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"SCREAM"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
