The Scream Franchise: A Metatextual Success by way of Cinematic Failure

Let me start out by saying that I legitimately like Wes Craven's 1996 "classic" Scream. However, I put classic in quotes because I'm not delusional and this movie carries no nostalgic weight for me. This isn't just coming from the point of view of a former film studies minor, but someone that went into the entire franchise with something that a lot of younger fans didn't: context. I know the references, the "rules", and the tropes that Scream both adheres to and defies effectively. That's why I know that the movie is a really good slasher flick. It doesn't turn the genre on its ear. It didn't change the game in any way that so many misguided critics seem to think it did. It's just an effective slasher movie that's aware of other slasher movies.

That said, this series is a piece of shit.

Awww...you seem sad...

Don't get me wrong. I would say that of pretty much EVERY series of horror films as they all seem to lose sight of themselves at one point or another to such a degree that the idea of a horror franchise should be seen as undesirable. Friday, Nightmare, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw, they all start out strong and/or inspired in one way or another but then piss it down their legs. Whether it be druids, time travel, psychics, a trip to outer space, failed attempts at passing the torch, or a forced change of location, they all jump the shark. They have an Ewok moment. These franchises helped to establish the genre and the tropes that Scream so readily plays with, but they are the reason that the sequels to Scream have no excuse for being the self-indulgent, misguided, repetitive, and toothless failures that they are. I obviously don't mean that from a financial perspective 'cause there wouldn't be 3 sequels if these movies bombed. No, I intend to point out where Scream 2, 3, and 4 completely shit the bed. But to do that, I have to explain why the first movie works.

So, again in the lead-up to my annual horror marathon in October, I will re-watch the Scream movies one-by-one and assess as objectively as I can what went right, wrong, and how. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, of course. Next time we meet on the matter, we look at the only worthwhile movie Wes Craven has made in decades...Red Eye. I'm clearly kidding. Later, folks!