Smart Slasher

Rating: 7/10 (10 October 2019)

Scream is an absolute blast of a horror movie and one that deserves an annual viewing this time of the year, it's a perfect Halloween teen slasher with brains. Wes Craven reinvents this genre, turning cliches on their heads and becoming a self parody at times. And while that does take away some of the tension, it still brings in a new element to this kind of slasher, blending humor and terror in a tight concise fashion. While some may find the humor and breaking the fourth wall a bit much, it's still a refreshing take on a familiar tale. The characters are written with care, and while some of the performances are a bit over the top, the moments of bloody horror can help forget some of Scream's shortcomings.