SCREAM 2 (1997) (**1/2)

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Like the original SCREAM film, the characters know the rules of horror flicks -- even the rules of horror sequels. Higher body count and more gore. This "rule" typically ruins other horror sequels and succeeds in doing the same with SCREAM 2.

The film opens with the premiere of "Stab," which was based on a book about the events of the first film written by news reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox, TV's FRIENDS). The lead Sidney (Neve Campbell, THE COMPANY), nerdy Randy (Jamie Kennedy, MALIBU'S MOST WANTED) and now crippled police officer Dewey (David Arquette, THE GREY ZONE) all return. Added to the cast is Laurie Metcalf (TV's ROSEANNE) as a local reporter, Jerry O'Connell (JERRY MAGUIRE) as Sidney's new boyfriend Derek, Timothy Olyphant (ROCK STAR) as Derek's best friend, Sarah Michelle Gellar (TV's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) as a sorority chick, Liev Schreiber (A WALK ON THE MOON) as the man Sidney originally fingered as her mother's killer and Jada Pinkett Smith and Omar Epps as the token black couple.

These new characters and the old ones all flip flop between being suspects or being slaughtered. You might be able to guess the killer(s), but you'll never guess why. The film does have some intelligence. I liked the classroom debate about films influencing behavior, the talk about sequel clichés and the identity of the killer was pretty ingenious, especially the killers' line explaining their motivation. As well, the movie within the movie was kind of funny, especially Tori Spelling and Luke Wilson's part.

What SCREAM 2 really lacks is real scares. Though SCREAM sometimes relied on the loud sound effects and someone jumping into frame, at times, SCREAM 2 relies on it for all its scares. No scene in the film even comes close to the brilliantly constructed scare fest that starts off the first flick. The only legitimately scary sequence is one where Sidney and her roommate Hallie McDaniel (Elise Neal, PAID IN FULL - film buffs take notice to the character's name and then guess her ethnicity) are trapped in the backseat of a car with the killer knocked out in the front seat. However, the scene is really tainted by a forced and lame conclusion.

The overall film is really hit or miss. Some parts are good, but those scenes are surrounded by a lot of average stuff. I recommend this to horror and/or SCREAM fans only.