Album Review: Verbana

Dimension Films
Starring: Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox-Arquette
Rated: R

B+

By Jesse Lauritz
Daily Cougar Staff

Nothing beats the original.

Well, almost nothing. The third, and so-called "last," installment of the Scream series gives new meaning to the word "trilogy."

Horror master Wes Craven returns to direct the characters created by Kevin Williamson, who has single-handedly resurrected the horror movie genre.

The first two Scream movies grossed more than $204 million in combined domestic receipts alone and featured cameos from some of the hottest actors in Hollywood, such as Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jerry O'Connell.

Scream 3 continues that tradition with cameos from Carrie Fisher and Patrick Warburton, who is known for his role as Puddy on the hit television show Seinfeld.

Everything you loved about the original is back in the finale. Scream 3 follows the rules of any trilogy: "Forget the rules, anything can happen."

The movie takes place in Hollywood, where the production of "Stab 3," a horror film within the movie, raises questions surrounding the events that happened in Sidney Prescott's (Neve Campbell) hometown of Woodsboro.

The movie begins like the others, with a separate mini-story before the title sequence. One can only guess what follows. The movie spins and weaves a wonderful plot that keeps the audience wondering what will happen next.

Campbell's performance in Scream 3 is far better than in the first two.

Although Campbell's role in the sequel was somewhat of a breakthrough, nothing compares to her brilliance in Scream 3. It even makes up for her whiny, secondary role as Julia Salinger on Party of Five.

Courteney Cox-Arquette returns as Gale Weathers, the hard-nosed reporter looking to improve her career by finding some way to get that Pulitzer Prize.

As in the other films, Cox-Arquette is always in the midst of things -- wherever the action is, expect her to be there. Why hasn't she been killed off yet?

David Arquette is the only other original cast member who survived the other two thrillers. His role of the hometown deputy is once again the butt of jokes, but he provides somewhat of a father figure for Sidney.

The actors who are in the fictional "Stab 3" add humor to the horror. There is a double for all the main characters, which adds another twist to the film.

Other breakthrough performances come from Scott Foley and Patrick Dempsey.

Foley's portrayal of Roman Bridger, the director of "Stab 3," and Dempsey's role of the cop looking to take out the killer keep Campbell on her toes the entire film. Just when you think you know who the killer is, the story changes.

The movie can't be compared to the first film, because nothing beats seeing the movie for the first time -- everything was new. In the second film, by contrast, everything was predictable.

Scream 3 has moments when you know what is going to happen, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat nevertheless.

The climax is surprising, and there is no letdown. Without revealing much of the plot, you can look forward to Sidney's having to come to terms with something from the past.

Scream 3 may not scare the living daylights out of you, but it will keep you entertained and won't leave you disappointed.