Justin's Rating: Poppin' Fresh!
Justin's Review: The disadvantage of any Scream movie is that you absolutely have to see it in the theater. There's just no way you're going to be as scared when it's on the TV and your dog is piddling in your lap. But this aside, Scream 2 exceeded my expectations beautifully. Although not as terrifying as the first movie, the humor and characterization came through twice as strong this time around. Everything's pure tongue-in-cheek as the sequel ("sequels suck") makes fun of itself and the horror genre as a whole. I won't reveal who dies, but I can tell you that I got severely pissed off at the movie makers for who they chose. Nieve Campbell is the main weak point here -- is anyone else sick of this sour chick who can hardly act past a "look vaguely upset and angry because a guy is killing everyone you come in contact with"? Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is a sorority chick who (surprise) gets hacked, and if nothing else, go see it for that. I loved the movie-in-a-movie-about-the-first-movie concept, and Randy will constantly remain my favorite Scream character. It'll be interesting to see where they go with the third one. . .

Andie's Rating: 4 out of 4 Gale Weathers' streaks
Andie's Review: I went into the theater to see Scream 2 with very low expectations. I mean, sequels usually pale in comparison to their original. But what I found instead was a witty, well-cast, scary, tongue-in-cheek horror movie that I definitely want to add to my collection. I have to admit, parts of it were not even close to being up to par with the original, like the opening sequence. Drew Barrymore's opening sequence from the first Scream is classic. From the moment you hear the line, "Cause I want to know who I'm looking at." til the moment she's hanging from the tree, it is action packed and tension filled. Scream 2 just didn't deliver. The opening scene was fairly stupid with no really memorable lines. Also, later in the movie there was one choice of a victim that I thought totally sucked. This victim was totally awesome and deserved to go on to the third Scream. Those gripes aside, the rest of Scream 2 kicks butt. Highlights include Randy's film class that have a debate as to whether sequels suck or surpass the original. Randy also has an extremely funny phone conversation with the killer. There's also a pretty neat phone terrorizing/death scene involving a sorority girl named Cici. (One thing I would change about Scream 2 is that more annoying sorority girls would've died horrible, gorey, bloody deaths. Especially that Noxema girl). Scream 2 also had something the original didn't have. After the opening sequence, Scream really didn't have much tension, just startles. In Scream 2, there's a scene involving a cop car that had me gripping my chair and the person next to me because the tension and anticipation were killing me. This movie is a must-see and as far as sequels go, this is the best I've seen.

Kyle's Rating: Always make sure you sit with the chick you want to sit with
Kyle's Review: After the fun experience Scream was, I had high expectations for Scream 2. I organized an opening night party, a huge group my college friends and I went to the newest theater in Colorado to see it, and I was all ready to enjoy sitting next to this hot chick I had my eye on (but not in a homicidal way). Through a mishap with buying everyone refreshments (here’s a tip: DON’T GET STUCK BUYING ALL THE REFRESHMENTS!) and the fact that the showing was totally sold-out, I wound up not sitting next to the girl I wanted to, and I eventually moved to California, losing all track of her. Sorry, dear.

But I digress once more. Scream 2 pounds into us that sequels suck and are never as good as the original, so I guess they were simply making a point when they purposely made this sequel suck. It’s adequate entertainment to be sure, but it doesn’t measure up the first Scream. Character motivations are less likely and more contrived, and the thrills feel canned and hokey. There are a few great jump sequences, but upon repeat viewing Scream 2 just doesn’t hold your interest. In the first Scream, the horror affected everyone and you could tell, the town was emptying out and kids were frightened, and everything that happened with the characters and around them was a natural extension of the killings going on. Here, everything is played to keep the idiot teenage ticket-buyers amused, and true horror fans and left to shake their heads that a generation will think of the Scream films as true horror entertainment. See Scream 2 for completion’s sake if you must, but if you want thrills and chills stick with the original.

A Special Side-Note By Justin: There's an interesting epilogue to Kyle's story. Justin did move to Colorado this May and happened to bump into this mystery girl at the 7-11. They will be married next August.

Recommended for:
Anti-Buffy People
Fans of Scream and Wes Craven
Any College Student Who's Had A Bad Day
People who've seen movies, loved them, then been disappointed by the sequel(s). This one won't disappoint.
Guys who need ideas on what makes girls swoon. (It involves serenading and public places).

The Movie Store!
Scream 2: Movie [VHS]
Scream 2: Movie [DVD]
Scream 2: Soundtrack [CD]
Scream 2: The Poster [1]

Intermission!
Scream 3 has many rumors circulating over the plot, but we definitely know that Sidney Prescott will go off to Hollywood in hopes of pursuing an acting career. My bet is either that (a) she'll bite the big one, or (b) she'll be the killer. Mark my words.

Groovy Quotes:

Sorority chick: Hi! ...I mean that: hi!

Randy: Stab 2? Who'd wanna do that? Sequels suck.

Hallie: Stupid people go back, smart people run. We're smart people, so we should just get out of here!

Joel (Gale's new cameraman): Hey, I don't need to be hearin' 'bout no dead cameraman. I am about one verb away from vacating these premises. I'm gonna go get some donuts, some coffee, prozac, see if I can find some crack, Special K, X-not Malcom, and I'll be back when y'all find a subject a little more Saved by the Bell-ish!

Killer: What's your favorite scary movie?
Randy: Showgirls. Absolutely frightening.

If you liked this movie, try these:
Scream
Wes Craven's New Nightmare

Soundtrack Review: Your generic collection of rock songs from "today's hottest groups" with a bland, Grape-Nuts feel to it. Nothing worth buying.

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