Scream 5 or 5cream: Finally got to see it

 The Mindy explains requel rules with Randy's shrine behind her and watching Stab when his character has been remade are touches that I really appreciated. I knew the moment Dewey got in the car to go with Sam, he was the one. God, poor guy really took it on the chin from Wes who retorted about what motive Dewey would have. I think the film gave Sidney and Gale just enough to make our hearts for them flutter, but I think enough characters of the newbies remain to retire them. I think the franchise is in good hands with Sam and Tara. The touch with "Mental Phantom" Billy Loomis was very interesting. And my favorite kill was the slow knife through the face. And I have to do it as if I was an excited fangirl screeching...KIRBY!!!

 One of the things I was hoping for, and the film confirmed, was that the director team of Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett stayed true and respected Wes and his memory. Even naming Minnette ("Goosebumps"/"Don't Breathe") Wes -- playing the son of Woodsboro sheriff, Judy Hicks (Mary Shelton, returning from "Scream 4), the kid who gets it in the face after mama rushes home, not realizing one of the two Ghostface killers was hiding behind a bush at her front door -- got a nodding smile of appreciation by me.

While I get that there will always be fans or horror fans, in general, that find a bit too much "fan service", with nods and "easter eggs" to the franchise, tiring and "enough already!", I would be lying if I didn't admit I could very much be a nostalgia whore myself. I was curious as to how a fifth film might draw into Woodsboro the legacy trio. I couldn't possibly imagine Sidney and Gale would remain in this town, though I could see why Dewey might have. Gale having a morning show in NYC sounded perfect while Sidney having made herself a little family completely out of Woodsboro seemed ideal for her. I never felt that either of the women would have been in danger or needed to return had Dewey not contacted them, though. I can understand the critique that the main story of the kids of Woodsboro all tied to the past Scream films didn't really need Gale or Sidney back, but Dewey actually seemed less shoehorned. I was able to avoid spoilers, didn't read any articles about the film, and had to limit my Youtube video reviews and typical viewings of my favorite people due to wanting a film experience not ruined. Though I did figure out Amber (Mikey Madison) was one of the Ghostface tandem involved rather early -- I told my wife, she gave off suspicious vibes right at the beginning -- Richie's reveal (Dennis and Meg's son, Jack Quaid, is the boyfriend of the film's young star, Melissa Barrera) only popped out once he tried to convince Sam (Barrera) her sister was associated with Amber. Tara (Jenna Ortega) is a good young survivor who goes through absolute hell during the entire film. I was certainly surprised she made it out of the first big attack, orchestrated obviously by Amber since Richie was away with Sam, sort of mastermind of the entire thing since a "reboot" needed to be more "inspired". But seemingly dead to rites in the hospital, Dewey and Sam getting to Tara before Amber in the Ghostface disguise could put that final stab into her as the poor girl was crawling on the floor really surprised me...I assumed Tara was a goner.

I think so many people going through a lot of stabs to the body and surviving might constitute frustration and "that's bullshit" rejection from certain critics of the fifth film. I can see why Tara, Sam, Randy's niece and nephew (Matarazzo's Martha has a small cameo as their mom, played by Cuba's son, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, the two portraying twins), all withstand serious violence and are kept alive by the end if there is serious consideration for a new set of sequels. I still do feel Gale, who had a good moment of real dramatic punch with Dewey, discussing what went wrong in their relationship -- it also felt as if Arquette and Cox got a chance to assuage what didn't work out -- and Sidney, who has the chance to return to Woodsboro and help the daughter of Billy Loomis conquer a serious emerging threat, can retire from the franchise. This was a strong sendoff, as the Ready or Not directors brought the characters full circle back to Stu's house, sort of one last nod to the first Scream. While I noticed Campbell might come back if asked, I really hope this is the last film for her. I think bringing Sidney back for yet another sequel, other than to kill her off at the beginning, would be a mistake. Too much of a good thing results in outright rejection. I feel as a Gen X-er the film franchise has done enough for me...time for the Gen Z-ers to get their own franchise now.