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JamesCanz
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Scream 4 (2011)
Better than Scream 3, but that's not saying a lot
Being a huge fan of the Scream series, I came into Scream 4 with very high expectations, but was that my mistake, or did Scream 4 just not produce? In this review I will be talking about everything from the deaths to the reveal of the killer(s) so reader beware, the following review contains major spoilers.
The introduction was a creative new way to start off Scream 4. It was something I had never seen before and in a way, there were "three introductions." Before I saw this movie I read many spoiler-free reviews about how funny yet gruesome the beginning was. Unfortunately I had to disagree. The first "two introductions" were actually scenes being played from watching two different Stab movies. These two scenes set a tone for the rest of the movie. It also had me wondering if this entire movie was just going to be based on making fun of itself and other movies. I had a hard time giving credit to the real introduction because I just couldn't take it seriously. Nothing great happens, the killer gets to his victims, and right before he can finally stab the last victim, the Scream 4 title appears (Just like the Cotton scene in Scream 3). What I was most disappointed about in the introduction was that many scenes that were showed in the trailer were cut from the movie. Marnie was never attacked, chased, or forced to watch the killer perform his kills, as shown in various trailers and TV spots. This might not seem like a very big deal, but this clips portrayed the killer as a different type of killer compared to the other films. It was more disturbing and sadistic, giving you a chance to actually feel bad for the victims. So after the beginning, Scream 4 was off to a unacceptable start.
With a big cast in Scream 4, there was almost guaranteed to be a bigger body count. The amount of deaths in this movie should be big enough to satisfy the average horror fan. To go hand in the hand with the high body count was the numerous gallons of blood used to highlight the killer's vengeance towards the victims. The movie could have done without a couple of characters such as the two deputies. They both die in the same scene, and the death of Deputy Perkins was one of the most idiotic deaths I have ever seen on film. He gets stabbed in the forehead then proceeds to get out of his car, stand up, make an idiotic statement about Bruce Willis, then finally fall forward to his death. There was no way Scream 4 could have redeemed itself after this scene. I don't think anyone cared for the fact the two deputies were killed, and the movie went way too far by trying to make their murder scene into a big joke. Setting that horrendous scene aside, the other killings in the movie weren't anything new. Lots of stabbings, a couple shootings, and of course the "hilarious" self mutilation at the end of the film. The death of Olivia in the movie was by far the most graphic, but besides that, there wasn't anything else no one hasn't seen before in the previous movies.
Scream 4 was lacking a focus on the main characters that made the original such an astonishing movie. Sidney, Dewey, Gale, and of course ghostface. There was plenty of Sidney in the movie and in fact, she played her role very well. On the other hand, Dewey and Gale saw very limited screen time which was a big blow to the movie. Without those two stars shining in the spotlight, the film had to focus on many newcomers to take over and judging by their performances, they didn't do so well. Ghostface wasn't as intimidating as he usually was in the previous Scream movies. You always knew when he/she was going to strike, and even when they revealed the first killer, it was way too obvious.
The grand finale of this movie came out of no where. Scream 4 never prepared you for the twists they were going to throw at you. Even before they introduced Charlie as the killer, I had already figured it out. Right before the first revealing, it was obvious that Charlie was the killer because ghostface never spares anyone's life. Instead of ghostface killing Charlie, he tied him up to a chair (just like Steve in Scream) and asks Kirby a series of questions to Kirby. By Kirby answering the second question "correctly" she runs outside to untie Charlie. This is where Charlie pulls a knife out and kills Kirby. Charlie then meets up to find Sidney where she fleas from him only to be stabbed by the other killer. Without any further ado, the mask is taken off to reveal Jill (Sidney's cousin) as the other killer. I was actually caught way off guard by this. For once in the movie I was impressed but with the poor execution and follow through, the finale caused the film to finish with anything but a bang. In fact, the finale dragged on so long that I was hoping for another twist to happen. The fact that Sidney, Dewey, and Gale survived means that there could be a Scream 5...
Overall Scream 4 is definitely a movie you will love or hate. Although there was much to be fixed in the movie, it was enjoyable to watch. I recommend any Scream or horror fan to check it out. Don't get your hopes up like I did, and pray that this is where the series ends.
Saw III (2006)
The Incomparable Trilogy
I would like to start by saying that I am a huge Saw fan, and came into this movie with more hype and enthusiasm than any other movie in my life. Possibly I set the bar too high, leaving it hard for this third installment to complete a legendary trilogy in the horror genre. First of all, I loved the scenario. Very similar to Saw II, Saw III had multiple "games" being carried on at once. Amanda kidnapping Dr. Lynn in order to keep Jigsaw alive, so that he could put Jeff through a series of vicious and gut wrenching events. Events that Jeff alone chooses the outcomes of.
Sequel to sequel, these movies have progressed dramatically. Two ways would be the creativity, and the gore. "We don't pull any punches this year. We start it with a kick in the balls, and end it with a kick in the balls." -Darren Bousman. Traps, weapons, and devices now include chains, bombs, acid, skin rippers, ice, pig guts, guns, and a very creative and sickly disturbing trap called the rack. It is similar to the previous sequel Saw II, but Saw III has even more scenes that will make you cringe or moan in disgust.
Unlike the subpar acting of Saw, this time around it was phenomenal. When more characters were explained, you got a good feel for the decisions they made, and why the story ended up the way it did. Tobin Bell did yet another extraordinary job with his role as Jigsaw, possibly making Jigsaw one of the most deranged and creative villains ever to step foot in a horror movie. Not only were there many fresh faces in Saw III, but some characters made a return. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you, but like Darren said, it kicks you in the balls, I would say pretty hard.
Overall, this movie was great, but for some reason it didn't completely blow me away like Saw and Saw II did. Many stones were left unturned, which always means that there could be yet another sequel, and the ending happened too suddenly. Will there be a Saw IV? Maybe, maybe not. But for now, go see Saw III, possibly the final chapter to one of the greatest horror trilogies ever made.
Saw II (2005)
The Definition of Sequel: Saw 2
Horror movies have been very weak for the longest time. With 2004's release of Saw, a new light was shed on the horror genre. Saw was everything a horror fan could have asked for, putting up enough competition to be categorized for being as good or even better than 1995's Se7en. The first time I heard that there was going to be a Saw 2 and even with a new director, I thought that Saw would be forever ruined. After James Wan did a fabulous job on Saw, how could newcomer Darren Lynn Bousman even compete with him? So many questions were going on, but on October 28, 2005, all of my questions were answered.
Like many other horror sequels, Saw 2 starts off with a big bang to get your blood flowing, but unlike other sequels, Saw 2 gives you the same adrenaline rush throughout the entire movie. Not only is your blood flowing, but so is the blood of the characters of the movie. As promised, there was blood, and plenty of it to satisfy any horror fan, but that's not what all horror movies are about right? There's got to be more than just blood and guts, and there definitely is.
Saw 2 focuses mostly on Jigsaw. What happened to him in the past, how he got to be like he is, and what his motives are. Unlike in Saw, Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell) is now one of the main characters, which is rare in most horror movies because you usually don't get to see the killer until the end where he or she is finally revealed, but we know who the killer is, or do we? Saw had one of the greatest endings I have even seen in a movie, I still get goosebumps when I hear the music in the background and see Jigsaw stand up. My main concern was that they would fail in creating an ending that could compete or even be better than Saw's ending. I was wrong. In many past horror movies, the famous twist has dealt with a split personality. Saw 2 didn't take the easy way out, the ending was creative, and most likely you won't know what happens until you see it, which makes it so powerful.
Saw 2 was next to flawless. Saw had very few flaws, and acting was one of them, but not this time, not in Saw 2. Every actor's role was very convincing and realistic. Not only did Tobin Bell play an excellent villain, but all eight characters trapped in side the house did a stellar job as well.
Saw 2 is everything I didn't expect it to be: awesome. Tons of blood, edge of your seat thrills, awesome characters, even a better plot, and just as good (or maybe even better) ending as Saw. See this movie any way you can, then you can see for yourself how awesome this movie is. My advice if you do see it, try and guess the ending because I bet you won't. This movie is like a jigsaw puzzle, it isn't complete until the last piece is put into place with all the others.
Saw (2004)
The Incomparable Movie
If you haven't seen Saw, or at least have, this is the review you are going to want to read. For some of the illiterate people out there, incomparable means so outstanding as to be beyond comparison, or unsurpassed. There's no definition that could greater fit the movie. This review will include no spoilers for the fact that if you plan on seeing this movie, knowing what happens would be the worst thing for you. Let's focus on some of the great feats of Saw.
First of all, there haven't been any good horror/thriller movies out in so long. I'd have to say I did enjoy the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but this is a whole different movie. Mostly everyone knows how the storyunfolds. Adam and Dr. Gordon wake up in a place that is a mystery to them, as well, another mystery is how they got there, who put them there, and most importantly why.
Throughout the 2 characters going back and forth trying to figure what is going on, a series of events if brought up to help you piece together the puzzle. But this is definitely one movie that you will never know what happened until the grande finale, and let me tell you, this had one of the best endings I have ever seen in a horror/thriller movie, even in any movie. There are SOME plot holes, but for most of the part, everything falls together perfectly...
As for the violence/gore factor, it is indeed a horror movie, and therefore is a semi/good amount in it. Enough to make a little kid throw up, but almost not enough to satisfy die-hard horror fans. Overall, I guess that would be an opinion question because I did hear about people throwing up when seeing it.
Everyone sees movies their own way. That's why you get a lot of different opinions on if a movie is scary or not. Unlike cheap horror movies nowadays, Saw uses many different styles to keep you interested, or furthermore to "attract" you more into the movie. Watch any horror movie and the only reason it would be scary is because you know that person or something is going to jump out, you just don't know when, and when it does, it always seems to make you jump, but not in Saw. The environment of the movie is the creepy part, with good camera work and lighting every now and then, the movie is a constant chill.
Lastly, I think Saw has the perfect twists and turns waiting to be unraveled. When I first saw Scream many and many years ago, I thought that was crazy. How there were 2 killers, but to Saw, that is nothing, nothing at all. The end is breathtaking and jawdropping. It will leave you speechless, but at the same time wondering, and putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. Seven can't compare with this movie. The only thing Seven has on this is the cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey (and of course the acting.)
So go see Saw, it's worth every penny of the ticket price, and if you're looking for the horror film of the year, here it is.