_Scream 4_ manages to set itself apart from the other movies in the franchise, offering up violent deaths and suspenseful moments that hold your attention from beginning to end. The plot isn't great; it needs a significant leap of faith on the viewer’s part, which is typical for most of the _Scream_ sequels. Introducing new relatives of Sidney Prescott felt awkward, since an aunt was never mentioned in earlier films. But putting that aside, this movie gives exactly what I’ve wanted from the series: blood, gore, and a sense of brutality. Most slasher movies have flimsy stories, but that's not really why you watch them; you want unfiltered horror. _Scream 4_ takes the bloodshed to an extreme level, with crime scenes so messy they look like someone repainted the walls, intestines spilling out, and wounds constantly oozing blood. The kills aren’t just brutal; Ghostface is too. His phone calls are full of intense anger, some lines being truly disturbing. It was a real pleasure to watch. Also, the self-aware commentary worked for me this time around, unlike in previous films—maybe it's just because I've grown up and didn’t pick up on those references when the first three movies came out. Like the other installments, the new characters didn’t do much for me. They felt like they were only there to be victims, without any real depth or personality. Hayden Panettiere was a standout though; I really enjoyed her performance. Emma Roberts was alright, but she never seemed entirely believable in her role. Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox are tough again, and I’ll always appreciate seeing them fight Ghostface while trying to stay alive. I've often criticized David Arquette throughout the series, but he did a fantastic job here and added a lot to the film. Wes Craven’s direction was excellent. _Scream 3_ felt generic and uninspired, but _Scream 4_ felt like a passion project for him, with fresh ideas that keep the series from getting stale. It's easily his best work since the first movie. I really enjoyed _Scream 4_ and think it’s the first one to actually measure up to the original. With a more solid story, this film could have been the very best in the series. Score: _70%_ Verdict: _Good_

Source on TMDB