Scream: A Celebration of Slashers and Halloween Costumes
The horror film Scream premiered in 1996. The flick features a star studded cast, including Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Courteney Cox, and Matthew Lillard, but Scream was more than run of the mill slasher fare. The plot followed mysterious murderers wearing eerie Halloween costumes, as they stalked high school students. However, the film offered a post modern twist: these characters were not merely pretty faces in fancy dress. They were familiar with the unwritten rules for surviving horror movies. They responded to their stalking killers with intelligence.
Scream avoided the idiot plot failings of similar pictures. Instead of one dimensional victims waiting for their turn under the knife, the writing and performances took pains to make these characters feel like actual people trapped in danger. The result was a surprising film that worked on two levels. On the surface, it succeeded as a suspense-filled shocker. Underneath, it played as an effective satire, taking several pointed jabs at the genre's tropes. The film was a hit at the box office. Unsurprisingly, the signature robe-and-mask outfit was among that year's most popular costumes for Halloween.
The film's success was due in no small part to the dynamic team behind the cameras. Direction came from Wes Craven, of A Nightmare on Elm Street fame, while newcomer Kevin Williamson penned the brilliant script.
Scream 2 (1997) once again saw Craven and Williamson united behind the camera. It continued the story at college, skewering both its characters and campus life. Armed with the same witty dialogue and subversive playfulness, this sequel was as smart and scary as the original.
Scream 3, however, was a stumble. Still showcasing Craven's strong direction, the script (not by Williamson) played up the satire and lost the suspense. Set in Hollywood, it offered a savvy look at filmmaking, but the characters were too wooden to care about. When killings occurred, accompanied by the expected Halloween costumes, they lacked resonance.
Despite the series' ups and downs, the Scream costume has remained popular among the ever changing catalog of Halloween outfits. It might not be found in fancy dress masquerades; however, more relaxed shindigs often see a Scream costume or two mingling with other classic Halloween outfits.
After an 11 year hiatus, Scream 4 will see release this April. Once more reuniting director Craven with scenarist Williamson, the film promises new twists to old formulae. In the intervening years, horror films have changed, often in response to the Scream series. This fourth film will undoubtedly be more than an advertisement for costumes for Halloween. Fans are speculating what the new franchise installment will be like. With such high expectations, the new film must work hard to find approval.
The horror film Scream premiered in 1996. The flick features a star studded cast, including Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Courteney Cox, and Matthew Lillard, but Scream was more than run of the mill slasher fare. The plot followed mysterious murderers wearing eerie Halloween costumes, as they stalked high school students. However, the film offered a post modern twist: these characters were not merely pretty faces in fancy dress. They were familiar with the unwritten rules for surviving horror movies. They responded to their stalking killers with intelligence.
Scream avoided the idiot plot failings of similar pictures. Instead of one dimensional victims waiting for their turn under the knife, the writing and performances took pains to make these characters feel like actual people trapped in danger. The result was a surprising film that worked on two levels. On the surface, it succeeded as a suspense-filled shocker. Underneath, it played as an effective satire, taking several pointed jabs at the genre's tropes. The film was a hit at the box office. Unsurprisingly, the signature robe-and-mask outfit was among that year's most popular costumes for Halloween.
The film's success was due in no small part to the dynamic team behind the cameras. Direction came from Wes Craven, of A Nightmare on Elm Street fame, while newcomer Kevin Williamson penned the brilliant script.
Scream 2 (1997) once again saw Craven and Williamson united behind the camera. It continued the story at college, skewering both its characters and campus life. Armed with the same witty dialogue and subversive playfulness, this sequel was as smart and scary as the original.
Scream 3, however, was a stumble. Still showcasing Craven's strong direction, the script (not by Williamson) played up the satire and lost the suspense. Set in Hollywood, it offered a savvy look at filmmaking, but the characters were too wooden to care about. When killings occurred, accompanied by the expected Halloween costumes, they lacked resonance.
Despite the series' ups and downs, the Scream costume has remained popular among the ever changing catalog of Halloween outfits. It might not be found in fancy dress masquerades; however, more relaxed shindigs often see a Scream costume or two mingling with other classic Halloween outfits.
After an 11 year hiatus, Scream 4 will see release this April. Once more reuniting director Craven with scenarist Williamson, the film promises new twists to old formulae. In the intervening years, horror films have changed, often in response to the Scream series. This fourth film will undoubtedly be more than an advertisement for costumes for Halloween. Fans are speculating what the new franchise installment will be like. With such high expectations, the new film must work hard to find approval.
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