It soon becomes apparent that Scream 2 is mostly just a cookie-cutter sequel masquerading as a critique of cookie-cutter sequels.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Feb 6, 2025

It's a two pronged game of creeps and cretins, where the tingle factor relies on sudden bursts of hammy stock horror action, rather than any prolonged exploitation of tension.

| Feb 6, 2025

That Tori Spelling plays herself in Scream 2 typifies how hip and timely this stylishly scary sequel can be.

| Feb 6, 2025

Scream 2 continues the joke and for the most part, the gags are just as good and the film is just as entertaining.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 6, 2025

Please remember that although this is a nifty, even satiric example of the slasher genre, it's still a slasher movie and not for the weak of stomach, the nightmare-prone or teens whose parents don't want them seeing screen violence.

| Feb 6, 2025

It continues reinventing the slasher formula with interesting characters and clever story-telling that prove genre films don't have to talk down to their audiences.

| Feb 6, 2025

Is a little more elaborate, has better execution and is a satisfying satirical horror movie.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 6, 2025

A howling great time.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 6, 2025

Director Wes Craven hops nimbly from mayhem to merriment, which keeps the action as lively as it is silly.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 6, 2025

The results are stronger ironic humor and a more convincing delivery.

| Original Score: B | Feb 6, 2025

I tend to agree with another character when he declared, "Sequels suck."

| Feb 6, 2025

It's nothing like as inventive as the first Nightmare on Elm Street, but it's much more thoughtful and provocative than most genre horror movies, and more fun.

| Feb 6, 2025

There are less laugh-out-loud one-liners, but the irony level is perhaps higher with ongoing debates and about movies and amusing red herrings.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Feb 6, 2025

Good in the first half, begins to fade when new ideas are all used up and then finally staggers exhausted to the finish line.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 6, 2025

Though Scream 2 doesn't come close to Godfather II in terms of excellence, it is a howlingly good sequel.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 6, 2025

The dialogue is razor sharp and funny, with loads of film-buff asides, and some of the characters and acting are a real gas.

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 6, 2025

The cast does a good job of looking terrified and amused at the same time.

| Feb 6, 2025

The fear will send you into your companion's arms, the laughs are cathartic, and Campbell and Courtney Cox kick almost as much butt as Sigourney Weaver in Alien Resurrection.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 6, 2025

A step up from the usual fare of this sort, and it's gruesome enough to satisfy the terror-loving teen crowd.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Feb 6, 2025

This time around, the pacing is tight, the production values are slicker and the performances are more assured.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 6, 2025