Scream 4 is typical of a sequel that comes long after the previous franchise in an attempt to bring it back. It’s got all the hallmarks of the series we love to see again and we get to catch up with all the characters, but it feels forced and uninspired.

The next generation of Woodsboro catches up with Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) on the anniversary of the original murders. Kids have erected Ghostfaces all over the city street lamps. Killings start again, but it’s the young generation that interprets the rules now.

I totally realize that I’m too old for this movie. Scream 4 is for the internet generation, and I’ve kept up as best I could, but I am simply not the person a movie about webcam and found footage is for. That’s for them. So maybe this is the Scream 1 for a new generation.

I still think the statement is too on the nose. It’s not a satire of the web generation, and they barely address what it means to the Scream formula when everybody has their own personal cell phone. The film simply identifies their habits, but that’s not a commentary. Plus, webcam boys Robbie (Erik Knudsen) and Charlie (Rory Culkin) are no Randy.

The opening sequence manages to surprise the audience and go meta. It’s not organic to any kind of storytelling, but it’s adjusting the formula to a generation built on texting and apps so it’s fun. When they talk about torture porn and Saw movies, I definitely feel like they don’t actually understand that genre like the screenwriter understood slasher movies. They just mention the talking points. Hard to know whether that’s Kevin Williamson or Ehren Kruger. And having the girls watch Shaun of the Dead? No. Just no.

It’s still a mystery, which is a strength of sorts to keep telling stories and guessing games. They’ve got 7 Saws to compete with now though. A scene in the car introducing Jill (Emma Roberts), Kirby (Hayden Panettiere) and Olivia (Marielle Jaffe) is just blatant exposition, no matter how many references they drop in the dialogue. We do get to find out who directed Stab so that’s funny.

There is an unintended meta effect about Gale (Courteney Cox) and Dewey (David Arquette). When Gale and Dewey have relationship conflict, it becomes really uncomfortable to watch. They can’t help that, but it’s a powerful unintentional comment on how the media affects our viewing.

It’s weird, thinking about Scream 4 intellectually, it feels like everything is right and it should work. I just know I wasn’t connecting. I actually liked Scream 3. I liked the meta of setting it on the movie set where they’re making the movie version of the story we’re watching, and Jay and Silent Bob go on the studio tour. I also like in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back where Wes Craven is directing Scream 4 and the killer turns out to be the monkey.

I think Detention ruined me for Scream 4. That’s the new meta self-referential masterpiece, but no one else has seen it yet. Maybe I’ll appreciate Scream 4 some day, in a cultural vacuum or historical context. It took me 13 years to finally appreciate Scream 2. Next time I watch them all back to back, it may fall into place, so there’s hope.

Director: Wes Craven

Cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere

Synopsis: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.

Release Date: April 15, 2011

“They’re not reshoots. We had a couple test screenings and we saw two scenes where they had moments you could add to and we just saw a spectacular opportunity. Bob [Weinstein] just said to me basically, ‘You go to your dark side and I’ll give you the money!’ [Laughs] The two scenes were really good, but we saw how they could be spectacular, so we thought, let’s just go for it. They were key moments of the script, so we just decided to go back and go for the grand slam on them.”

I can’t help but be equal parts excited and nervous about this sequel. Mainly because Scream 3 was such a letdown. That was due to Ehren Kruger’s mishandling of Kevin Williamson‘s groundwork, and with Kruger stepping in to replace a departing Williamson on round four doesn’t give me a lot of hope. But the trailer has piqued my interest. There isn’t anything outwardly goofy in it. Except of course for that headset thing and the Culkin kid’s hair. (EW)

I’m hoping Kristen Bell gets the axe first. Fact: did you know Kristen Bell is possibly the most annoying actress on the planet? If Ghostface slashed her smug face with a big knife, that’d be worth the $10 right there. Any observations about horror movie cliches would be icing on the leftover-from-the-90s cake.

Here are the scream-worthy stills. Click to embiggen. (Film School Rejects)

“We need our… personal space… thank you.”

Two blonde chicks. Home alone. What could possibly go wrong?

“Whoa there,” says the mustachioed officer.

Headset guy is too cool for this crew.

I’m betting that by the time she turns around, it won’t be too late.

^{"I’m not taking this call."}

SCREAM 4 can’t get enough of teasing us. Yesterday we showed you a bootlegged Scream 4 teaser from Spike TV’s "Scream Awards." Today, we have a new teaser. A better teaser. A Culkinier teaser.

This extended teaser builds on the footage we saw yesterday and presents the "new rules" of the film. The kills have got to be way more extreme, virgins are fair game (sorry Hans), and the killer should film their kills now. Which makes no sense if you don’t want to get caught. If you thought Michael Bay was pissed about those puppies, just imagine how he’ll react to someone posting a Courtney Cox snuff film. Dude’s a serious "Cougar Town" fan.

Check out the new teaser after the jump…

Do You Like Scary Movies? Extended Trailer Fo SCREAM 4!!! – Watch more horror

Good news for people who like horror movies and, or crappy bootlegs. Some guy took a video of the new teaser trailer for Scream 4 using his cellphone and posted it online for all to enjoy.

The footage was taken at Spike’s Scream Awards, which I can only assume was held in Scream City, over on Scream street. You know, in the Scream district. At any rate, it’s a little shaky, but it’s still a first look, so quit complaining. (Cinema Blend)

Cram a shaky Scream 4 trailer into your eye holes after the jump.

_{I Googled "scream" and this came up.}

Dimension Films has confirmed that Scream 4 will go into production in Spring 2010 for an April 12th, 2011 release. Wes Craven will again direct, as initially suspected, and original Scream creator Kevin Williamson will write the script. Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and (unfortunately) David Arquette Cox will all be reprising their roles. I really hope David takes his character Dewey to full retard in this one. It doesn’t make sense for him to scale back his own personality just for the sake of acting. (Variety)

_{Watch out, it’s a trite storyline!}

Courtney Cox (it pains me to type it) Arquette is definitely going to be in the Scream 4 sequel directed by Wes Craven, and she’s definitely certain it’s going to be about the characters we know from the other movies.

"There are really only a few of us that survived," Cox said, but she shrugged off rumors that her character, Gale Weathers, and Arquette’s Dwight "Dewey" Riley will be killed off at the beginning of the film.

"They’re probably back living in Woodsboro," Cox added, "I think that he’s probably still deputy, and I’ve had a lot of kids. I don’t know. I’m probably miserable, and then I’m sure a lot of murdering will happen."

Sorry I didn’t warn you about the spoilers. Murdering is going to happen, and Gale Weathers may or may not have a lot of kids. And David Arquette may still be retarded. It remains to be seen what they’ll do with his character Dewey. ZING! (ComingSoon)