Scream (1996) **

 

There was an itch I needed to scratch before bedtime about Sidney. I liked in "Scream" how they really settle Sidney as evasive and not an idiot. If she has to return to Stu's house, it isn't because she hadn't tried multiple avenues towards escape. Dewey's cop car and Gail's news van are vehicles Sidney tries to escape in as examples. And she thinks as fast as she can when either Billy or Stu is disguised as Ghostface chasing after her. Like when inside Stu's house after Billy pretends to be stabbed, Sidney uses whatever is available when not moving from one room to another when not locking the door. She's always quick thinking and is really a great model for that formula slasher survivor. Granted, the sequels might have really laid that on a bit thick...there are only so many films Sidney can avoid certain death before even franchise fans start to roll their eyes and wonder WTF?! I have noticed that when the fifth Scream film was announced, there seem to be a collective groan from some in the horror community, followed by "They better kill one of the franchise regulars or we will revolt". Look, I get that, I do, but for me personally, that isn't a necessity. I am perfectly fine with maintaining the status quo, if they so choose, but I'm more inclined to believe that a meta approach where the cast is playing themselves, not their Scream characters, will be what they go with. I do like that the "Ready or Not" team is working on the fifth film. If anything, they might offer a fun perspective that might be similar to the "Evil Dead" remake. I don't live and die by what those creatively decide to do with any other Scream sequels. I was perfectly okay with the fourth film, even if I didn't consider it significant or all that extraordinary. I do look forward to revisiting it this year for a fresh take.

Craven got plenty of closeups of Neve Campell's pretty face, and she emotes in that television drama sort of way. When she is frustrated, or just done with all the shit that never allows her any peace, Campbell articulates that with her Sidney. The uncertainty of her testimony about Cotton Weary murdering her mom, later revealed by Billy and Stu as their handiwork is conveyed and Gail reads her like an open book with the pages featuring bold print. When she is attracted to Billy, the desire and yearning is realized on Campbell's face. So she covers all the bases to get every dramatic point across. There's history behind her character, she's left alone by her father (who had planned to go away on business), survives a home invasion, yet again survives an attempted attack in the school bathroom, endures gossip and cruel teenage conversation besmirching her, and after giving her virginity to Billy must stomach his admittance of guilt and plans for her (and her dad). So Williamson's script, while heavily reaching back in time and using horror fan freak, Randy, as information dumps, definitely builds and maintains its series heroine, giving her a defiance towards victimhood and allowing her to fend off emotional and physical upheaval. She's a strong character...that's why Sidney is beloved.