Scream to Scream, Scene by Scene: SCENE 29 of Scream 2 (1:29:53-1:45:18)

In this project I attempt to review the entire Scream trilogy scene by scene in chronological order. Heavy spoilers and gore throughout!



SCENE 29 of Scream 2
Length: 15min 25secs
Primary Characters: Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, Debbie Salt aka Mrs Loomis, Mickey and Cotton Weary
Pop Culture References:

• Psycho (visual reference)
• Friday the 13th (plot similarity - mother avenging son's death)
• Alan Dershowitz, Johnnie Cochrane and Bob Dole (Mickey's planned trial defense team)
  

And so we come to the big climax where all is revealed. I do love this scene. It lacks the "oh shit! this is really happening?!" electricity of the first, but - much like the sequel's opening scene in comparison to the original's - is actually a bit more loopy fun. Let's take a look.


I like the idea of this on campus theatre being almost possessed, what with the lights turning on and the equipment starting up without anybody around. Of course, we all know that's not true and that the killers were simply placing an awful lot on the hope that Sidney would run back to the college campus after her recent run in with Ghostface in the car rather than run away as far as she possibly could from the scene of so many crimes.


Good work, Sidney. Good work.


I don't have anything to say here, I just like the shot.


I actually really like the setup. It works well in the film given the idea of a sequel needing to be "much more elaborate", but I think the way Craven filmed it was particularly great. So many wonderful shots like this one of Sidney almost slinking off into the darkness, but not being able to get away from the big bright light that constantly shines on her. Plus, I like the way they set up all the effects that the stage show has, reminding us of them, so that when Sidney uses them against the killers it feels organic.


I also think placing the big finale on an empty theatre stage - a nice mirror, by the way, to the opening that takes place in front of a packed cinema - fits in to Mickey's "it's all about the execution" idea and making it as grand as possible. I like to imagine Mrs Loomis hearing Mickey's plan for what to do with the big finale and humouring him with this rather outlandish stage bound idea because her son, Billy, would have appreciated it.


Oh hai Derek. Hallie's Mickey's been running around all over campus because of you!


Talk about a fetish!


"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You really wanna trust your boyfriend?" *click* "Don't you know history repeats itself? Hmmm?"
First of all, love that bit. I think it's the "hmmm?" that sells it. Second of all... the mystery of the crazy voice-changer strikes again. I haven't the foggiest idea how these machines work because when Billy/Stu/Sidney used them in the climax of Scream they sounded nothing like the phone voice, and now here while the voice does sound like the voice on the phone I also don't know how Mickey manages to turn it off from inside his mask. I guess he uses his tongue?


I imagine at this stage many people watching for the first time were all "who?" They would be stupid people, yeah? Okay, no, I sorta get that Mickey was obviously a second wrung - third? he probably is in the film just as much as Sister Lois and Sister Murphy - character that was shoved into the killer position after the Derek/Hallie combo got the shaft due to screenplay leaks, but only a dimwit couldn't remember who he was. People said the same thing about Roman in Scream 3 and, to be honest, made more sense. People said the same thing about Charlie in Scream 4 and that was really dumb. Do people even watch these movies?


And Mickey's fabulous, FABULOUS hair remains in tact despite running around all night with a hood over it. He must be bordering on Ross Gellar levels of gel use!


"Since Derek here disappeared on my ass, I've been on my own all fuckin' night. Thanks a lot, partner"
"Motherfucker! Sid, he's crazy. You know me better than that."
"Come on Sid, I've gotta have a partner. I could've have possibly done this alone."
Mickey is actually quite smart. He's also stupid, but sometimes quite smart. Great way to fuck with Sidney's mind here.


"Hmmm. Boyfriend, killer, boyfriend, killer, boyfriend, killer."
I really love the rhythm that the dialogue in this scene has. While the Scream 2 climax is far less referential and winking as the first, Timothy Olyphant really sells the part. He does crazy well and so despite the character being a weaker killer identity, in the end, it still works because Olyphant plays it precisely perfect.


In retrospect, knowing that Derek isn't one of the killers makes this playful smile of Mickey's so deliciously evil. Like watching a pair of experimental hamsters run around unsure of what's what as he plays wicked mind games with them.


"What do you think, Derek? Is Sidney experiencing some deja vu?"
I can't say enough how much I enjoy the revelry that Mickey has in messing with Sidney's mind here. Again, so much credit must go to Olyphant. He obviously didn't have much else to do throughout the movie so he took his role as the killer in this scene and ran with it.


Aw, bye bye Derek. You were bright (maybe), funny (when?), handsome (except played by a douche so unbelievable as a nice guy), had a decent singing voice (hardly) and the kind of guy a girl would like to take home to "mom"...


"... if you had a mom."
Zing. Ouch.

Scream to Scream, Scene by Scene: SCENE 13 of Scream 2 (0:40:32-0:42:15)

In this project I attempt to review the entire Scream trilogy scene by scene in chronological order. Heavy spoilers and gore throughout!



SCENE 13 of Scream 2
Length: 1min 43secs
Primary Characters: Sidney Prescott, Mickey, Hallie, Derek, Dewey Riley, Chief Hartley, and Captain Downs (Timothy Hillman)
Pop Culture References:

• None
  

This is quite a vital scene. It gives us more time to eventual killer Mickey as he plants the seed of doubt in Sidney's mind over Derek. The whole scene, Dewey's involvement too, is build to create the red herring of Derek, while at the same time screaming at audiences, in retrospect, to look closer at Mickey.


"It's the easiest interrogation of my crime-filled life."
Teehee. As one of America's most active serial killers (according to Debbie Salt) I wonder if that has actually happened that often?


This is another cute little, seemingly throwaway, moment that helps build that sense of closeness between these friends. Like Randy's puppy dog eyes!


"That poor girl."
And it's bits like this that really do make us like Sidney as much as we do (and you can't build an entire trilogy around someone that's unlikable, especially a horror trilogy where the urge to scream "JUST KILL HER ALREADY!" is constantly there). That's where so many horror movies go wrong; having a central character that is inherently unlikable and instead of cheering them on to defeat the bad guy, you kinda just want the movie to be over because you know the "final girl" will never die.


I know his character is an insane psycho killer with crazy hair, but don't you just wanna make out with Timothy Olyphant right there? I love Sidney's face when he queries - and rightfully so - why anyone would go back into the house, although I query why anyone (we're discussing Derek here, remember?) would go back into the house and leave Sidney outside all alone where any knife-wielding madman could jump out at her and kill her. Hmmm.


She's all "oh shit!"


This is Jerry O'Connell's ow face (hopefully not to be confused with... well, you know.) I have nothing of value to add here other than: he looks funny (lol).


This here is Captain Down, played by Tim Hillman. We won't see him again after this scene so let's just mention him here, shall we? As a matter of fact, Scream 2 is Tillman's only acting credit. He usually works as a location manager and he was indeed the location manager on Scream 2 (but neither Scream nor Scream 3).


I tried to get a shot of Jerry O'Connell's confused face, but it instead came out looking like his i'm-intoxicated-and-i'm-trying-to-follow-your-conversation-but-now-i'm-bored face. Agree?

Scream:
Intro, Scene 1 Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5, Scene 6, Scene 7, Scene 8, Scene 9, Scene 10, Scene 11, Scene 12, Scene 13, Scene 14, Scene 15, Scene 16, Scene 17, Scene 18, Scene 19, Scene 20, Scene 21, Scene 22, Scene 23, Scene 24, Scene 25, Scene 26, Scene 27, Scene 28, Scene 29, Scene 30, Scene 31 Scene 32, Scene 33, End Credits

Scream 2
Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5, Scene 6, Scene 7, Scene 8, Scene 9, Scene 10, Scene 11, Scene 12

Scream to Scream, Scene by Scene: SCENE 6 of Scream 2 (0:22:14-0:25:58)

In this project I attempt to review the entire Scream trilogy scene by scene in chronological order. Heavy spoilers and gore throughout!



SCENE 6 of Scream 2
Length: 3mins 36secs
Primary Characters: Sidney Prescott, Dewey nee Deputy Dewey (David Arquette), Randy Meeks, Derek, Mickey, Hallie, Gale Weathers, Joel the Cameraman & Cotton Weary (Liev Shreiber)
Pop Culture References:

• None
  

I think this scene we're about to look at is a perfect one in showing off the differences between the first and second film. I wrote in an earlier scene that Scream 2 (and, for that matter, Scream 3, but less successfully) is a much bigger enterprise than the first. The original is more intimiate, whereas the sequel is like the filmmaking team finally got enough money to amp everything up a few notches.

Take, for instance, this scene - and the one just before it, but I had too much other stuff to discuss there - where Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven somehow manage to juggle all these characters, all of whom get "a moment", and yet the movie doesn't feel crammed or fussy at all. Gene Siskel praised Scream 2 over Scream for this very reason. In many ways it's a more impressive directorial job by Craven since there's so much more going on. In this scene alone we have the introduction of old characters as well as new characters all interacting with one another, referencing the earlier film and, while they're at it, furthering the plot in multiple ways that doesn't feel clunky. It's a shame the video of their review has been taken down, I would have loved to included for you guys.


"I'm seeing someone. Nice guy, pre-med, no apparent psychotic tendencies."
Oh Sidney, isn't that what you thought about Billy Loomis, too!


"I just worry. Look, Sid, if there is some freaked out psycho trying to follow in Billy Loomis's footsteps you probably already know him. Or her. Or them."
I love this line. Or, more specifically, I love this line as spoken by Dewey. I like that he gets "him", "her" and "them" all correct!


Uh-oh!



One thing I'd never noticed before is the look on Mickey's face when Cotton Weary appears out from behind Gale and Joel. I think at this stage of filming Craven and Williamson were still very much on the Hallie/Derek/Debbie trio so I'm probably giving this moment too much worth than it warrants, but I love Mickey's smile. It's like he always can't contain himself knowing that, with the new murders as Cotton is in town, so much focus will be on him.


"You bitch!"


Ooh, bitch *nearly* went down.


"Oh Sidney, won't you share with us, please!"








"I'll share with you!"


"Did you get that on film?"


"Yes I got that on film."
Bitch went down!

Look, there's no skirting around the issue here... Hallie's "Did you get that on film?" is just not as amazing as Tatum's "BAM, bitch went down. BAM! Sid! Super-bitch!" I like that they continue that structural link to the original, although you can already sense it starting to deviate.

TATUM 4EVA!


"Hey, you need to check your conscience at the door, Sweetie. We're not here to be loved."
I hate this line of dialogue?! I hate it. I hate it so much I want to forget it exists and just end this scene right now, which is what I will do. Because it's over. No, really, that's it. See you next time!

Scream:
Intro, Scene 1 Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5, Scene 6, Scene 7, Scene 8, Scene 9, Scene 10, Scene 11, Scene 12, Scene 13, Scene 14, Scene 15, Scene 16, Scene 17, Scene 18, Scene 19, Scene 20, Scene 21, Scene 22, Scene 23, Scene 24, Scene 25, Scene 26, Scene 27, Scene 28, Scene 29, Scene 30, Scene 31 Scene 32, Scene 33, End Credits

Scream 2
Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5

Scream to Scream, Scene by Scene: SCENE 3 of Scream 2 (0:13:51-0:15:52)

In this project I attempt to review the entire Scream trilogy scene by scene in chronological order. Heavy spoilers and gore throughout!



SCENE 3 of Scream 2
Length: 2mins 1secs
Primary Characters: Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy), Mickey (Timothy Olyphant), Cici Cooper (Sarah Michelle Gellar), "Film Class Guy #1" (Joshua Jackson) and "Artsy Teacher" (Craig Shoemaker)
Pop Culture References:

• Alien and Aliens (used as another example of sequels being better than the original, quoted by "Film Class Guy #1)
• The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (another example, quoted by Randy)
• The Godfather and The Godfather Part II (another example, quoted again by Randy)
• House: The Second Storey (the lead off to a discussion about horror movie sequels)
• James Cameron (Mickey has "a hardon for Cameron")

And with this I apologise for being so delayed with this, but life happened and I don't always have oodles of spare time to devote.


The story goes that Cici wasn't meant to be in this initial classroom sequence, but was instead introduced along with Rebecca Gayheart and Portia de Rossi's sorority sisters a longer version of the scene that comes after this, but when this class sequence needed to be reshot they threw Cici into it. I think it was a good move since it's not only creates some relationship between her and Mickey (when otherwise there was next to none) and, also, it adds a little something extra on repeat viewings. Knowing that inside Mickey's head he's all "you're gonna die soon!" when she makes that crack about James Cameron's hardon (you totally know he's angry about it and wants revenge.)

I guess it's really how "the story goes" though, is it? I mean, it's how the story was. The deleted scene of the film class in the cinema class room featured no Cici and the script pages specifically detail the extended sorority pledge scene with her and Sidney. I think it makes Cici's death a bit stronger, too, since she's not just another hair-flicking sorority girl. Poor Cici. She seems like one of those cool girls from school that would actually be nice to the plebs beneath her and who wasn't as dumb as people thought.


Hi Mickey! Your introduction is a bit less suspect than Billy's in Scream, but you're discussing horror movie sequels so you were instantly a suspect, even if you're not actually in much of the movie. Isn't that funny, it feels like the killers in Scream 2 are in it far less than Billy and Stu were in the first. It makes sense in "Debbie Salt"'s case since so much of the Scream universe plays around Sidney and her actions and bringing those two in front of each other before the finale was impossible, but they could have easily thrown Timothy Olyphant a bone and given him a scare sequence earlier in the film. Although in retrospect it was probably them just trying to deflect suspicion.

Or, now that I think of it, I can't remember, but was Mickey always the killer? I remember they had to change the killer's identity when the script leaked. Hmmm.


Oh Randy.

*sigh*

I was so glad they realised how effective Jamie Kennedy and Randy were in Scream and decided to bump him up to a bigger role (well, since he checks out early it's probably even less of a role, but of bigger significance!) Although, to be honest, he and Sidney did lose a big chunk of their friends so Sidney had no other choice. I like that they go to the same college. It's feels very "we're survivors, we stick together" on them, doesn't it?


Oh hai Joshua Jackson.

Just think, if there was no Scream 2 then there'd be no Dawson's Creek, which means there'd be no Joshua Jackson walking around all moderately-famous, which means he wouldn't be on Fringe and dating Diane Kruger and looking all swank. Mmm... where was I?


"Are you suggesting that someone's trying to make a real life sequel?"


"Stab 2? Who'd anybody wanna do that. Sequels suck!


I like Cici's "huh?" face and yet she turns around and asks Mickey to "name one" sequel that surpassed the original.

For what it's worth I too would say The Godfather Part II and - duh - Terminator 2: Judgement Day (it's nestled tightly in my top 10 of all time!), but not Aliens. Love Aliens, but I prefer Alien. I mean, they're completely different movies anyway so comparing them feels at odds.

Other sequels I would have used (in 1997) would be Batman Returns, Wes Craven's New Nightmare (although, admittedly, couldn't really use it in this scenario, could they?), Child's Play 2, Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn and, er, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. That's a discussion for another day though. Since Scream 2? The Bourne Supremacy, The Dark Knight, Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me and, er, Step Up 2: The Streets. That's a discussion for another day though.


Oh Randy. This is film class and yet future Pacey Witter is in fact correct. Right? Or am I getting it wrong?

I'm so glad I couldn't grow facial hair in 1997 since I would have copied that ridiculous beard of his since Randy was my favourite at the time (after Gale, of course, although now I'd rank him after Gale and Tatum.)


"House 2: The Second Storey"
To which Randy replies that "the horror genre was destroyed by sequels." Not sure I agree with that since there have been many good ones. I do, however, look forward to the possible "remake" scene in Scream 4. I mean, surely they can't ignore that, right?


Oh Timothy Olyphant. You're so handsome and yet another actor who has come from such humble beginnings as the Scream franchise and become a respected actor. Just like Liev Shreiber!

This scene is obviously one of the most famous from the entire trilogy. Much like the "how to survive a horror movie" sequence in Scream (and nothing from Scream 3, amirightladies?), this "sequel's suck" conversation says so much about what Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven were doing with this movie. Almost like doing an autopsy at the same time as performing surgery. And you know why they know certain sequels succeed and others don't (noted again during Randy's "rules of a sequel" scene coming up later), they are pointing it out to audiences and all but demanding they take Scream 2 seriously. "We're not just another dumb sequel" type of thing, yeah? Great stuff.

Scream:
Intro, Scene 1 Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5, Scene 6, Scene 7, Scene 8, Scene 9, Scene 10, Scene 11, Scene 12, Scene 13, Scene 14, Scene 15, Scene 16, Scene 17, Scene 18, Scene 19, Scene 20, Scene 21, Scene 22, Scene 23, Scene 24, Scene 25, Scene 26, Scene 27, Scene 28, Scene 29, Scene 30, Scene 31 Scene 32, Scene 33, End Credits

Scream 2
Scene 1, Scene 2