Urban Legend
There can be no doubt that the success and influence of Scream changed the landscape of horror forever, as seen by this 1998 release that followed the tradition of having photogenic performers bussed in from popular tween soap operas, along with a hip soundtrack and a self-awareness by the characters, usually of the clichĂ©s that they were playing out. Instead of old-school horror movies, the emphasis is placed on popular urban legends, oft-told stories of some creepy event that happened âone town overâ or what have you, being brought to life by a psycho killer whose identity turns out to be someone youâd never suspect. As a matter of fact, when the big reveal comes out at the end, the viewer is left scratching their heads as to how this person actually managed to carry out the murders (including overpowering several males with the greatest of ease). Many of the murders are also dependent on the killer having either acute psychic abilities or an impeccably perfect sense of timing as well, ramping up the ridiculous factor to eleven. Even then, director Jamie Blanks goes ahead and trots out some more tired clichĂ©s to chew on including the âgrab someoneâs shoulder and have it actually be your friendâ bit (see also Wrong Turn review), or the creepy janitor who is so weird that you just know heâs NOT the killer because it would be too obvious. The upside to this are the murders ARE a little more gruesome than the playing it safe approach that PG-13 horrors have become infamous for, and the female cast is one of the more beautiful and likable lineups in recent years, including redhead Alicia Witt as the heroine whom nobody believes, Rebecca Gayheart (aka The Noxema Girl) as her wacky best friend, Tara Reid (in the peak of her beauty right after The Big Lebowski) as the schoolâs radio DJ, and Natasha Gregson Wagner as the opening victim. But, the most beautiful babe in this film would have to be Danielle Harris (best known as Jamie in Halloween 4 and 5 and as Annie in the Halloween remakes) in the all-too-brief role as the heroineâs punk goth college roommate who cruises the Internet looking for guys who share her interests. The male cast consists of the usual pretty boys du jour of the time like Jared Leto, Michael âSmallvilleâ Rosenbaum, and Joshua Jackson of Dawsonâs Creek (which is referred to in a clumsy in-joke reference). The film also benefits by having some pretty respectable actors in supporting parts, including The X-Filesâ John Neville as the Dean, Loretta Devine as the black female campus security officer (who worships Pam Grier), Robert Englund as a creepy professor, and even a cool cameo by Brad Dourif as a stuttering gas station attendant. So, even if the script and story fail to draw you in, the casting director here should be commended. The film does try to pull out some twists in the late going (including several characters sporting the killerâs trademark overcoat which makes them suspects) but theyâre dumb and only add to the unoriginal banality of the whole enterprise. Overall, a film that should only be viewed by completist fans of the barren wasteland that was late 90s horrorâŠ
5/10