Scream 2

If it does nothing else, Scream 2 conclusively demonstrates that the standard booga-booga method of most horror movies, in which the Fiend Without a Face appears out of nowhere to the accompaniment of a sharp, sudden musical cue (BLAT!), isn't half so nerve-wracking as the skillful use of suspense. Yeah, the audience jumps a bit whenever the knife-wielding figure in the goofy Halloween costume leaps out of the shadows, but those frissons of terror are almost laughable compared to the steadily mounting anxiety that's inspired by the film's best scene, which relies on dread and anticipation rather than visceral shocks. Unfortunately, that scene is the only thing in the movie that's really worth mentioning; the best one can say for the rest is that it's not bad as unnecessary sequels go. To its credit, it's fully aware of (and more than a little amused by) its bastard-stepchild status as the hasty follow-up to an unexpected hit, but the homage feels a bit forced this time around (the distinguishing characteristics of the horror sequel being less than mesmerizing, frankly), and the whole thing builds to a left-field Scooby-Doo ending that's either way too ridiculous or not nearly ridiculous enough--I can't decide which. Optional. (M D'Angelo)[Blu-ray Review—Apr. 12, 2011—Lionsgate, 120 min., R, $19.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1997's Scream 2 sports a fine transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Wes Craven, producer Marianne Maddalena, and editor Patrick Lussier, outtakes (9 min.), a behind-the-scenes featurette (7 min.), deleted scenes (4 min.), the music videos “Scream” by Master P and “Suburban Life” by Kottonmouth Kings, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a weaker follow-up to the original.]