I did not have the luck to see the first three versions of the “Scream” franchise, so I can’t compare “Scream 4” currently  playing at the Fandango Galaxy multiplex in Carson City. But I suspect this version is just as bloody as the earlier three. Where’s the Red Cross when  you really need it?

I’m not too clear on the plot here, but since it’s a slasher film I don’t think that’s too important. But from what I could gather, author Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns to Woodsboro to promote her new book and walks into a melee of knifes (does L.L. Bean still sell knives or have slasher films grabbed them all?).

Some friends gather at Kirby Reed’s (Hayden Panetiere) house and eventually become targets of Old Ghostface (he or she of the gaping jaw in white face). More blood flows until the surprise identity Ghostface is revealed with some neat switcheroos going. Old Ghostface finally bites the airy dust and life goes on.

I’m not much of  slasher film fan, but if we’ve got to have them to keep the multiplexes up and running, so be it. At least this one has some laughs built  in (At one point one of the male cast members is alone on a porch and the background music swells to a scary tone, only to have the guy get beaned by a hanging flower pot. In another scene a bad guy is brought down by blows from a hospital bed pan.)

So laugh  a little while the knife blades swing.

Sorry if I let character names elude me but who cares (maybe Emma Thompson as Jill would raise interest). A nice date film for teens and old folk who remember the last “Scream 3” of 15 years ago.
— Sam Bauman

Cast
    •    David Arquette as Sheriff Dwight “Dewey” Riley
    •    Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott
    •    Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers Riley; Cox told Entertainment Weekly about her character saying, “I kinda gave up my job as the entertainment journalist. I’ve written six books, but now I have major writer’s block. I’m bored with my life and bored with my marriage and bored with the silly small town of Woodsboro”.    
    •    Emma Roberts as Jill Roberts
    •    Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed
    •    Anthony Anderson as Deputy Anthony Perkins
    •    Alison Brie as Rebecca Walters
    •    Adam Brody as Deputy Ross Hoss
    •    Rory Culkin as Charlie Walker
    •    Marielle Jaffe as Olivia Morris
    •    Erik Knudsen as Robbie Mercer
    •    Mary McDonnell as Kate Roberts
    •    Marley Shelton as Deputy Judy Hicks
    •    Nico Tortorella as Trevor Sheldon
    •    Brittany Robertson as Marnie Cooper
    •    Aimee Teegarden as Jenny Randal
    •    Shenae Grimes as Trudie
    •    Lucy Hale as Sherrie
    •    Kristen Bell as Chloe
    •    Anna Paquin as Rachel
    •    Roger L. Jackson as Ghostface (voice)
    •    Nancy O’Dell as the reporter that appears in Scream 2 and Scream 3.

Directed by Wes Craven
Produced by Kevin Williamson, Wes Craven, Iya Labunka, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Written by Kevin Williamson
Based on Characters by Kevin Williamson 
Music by Marco Beltrami
Cinematography Peter Deming
Editing by Peter McNulty
Rated R, running time 111 minutes of blood