Rish Outfield's reviews
Now this movie sucked! Before we watched it, I insisted on calling it "Faux Scream," which tyranist felt was inappropriate since it predated Scream (1996). What's inappropriate now, huh?
About thirty guys (okay, it was more like twenty-eight) on a river-rafting trip stop over in a ghost town . . . and then nothing happens!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, there are a handful of murders committed when one of the party goes off alone (but neither the killer nor the killer's motives nor the reason why people keep going off alone at night minutes after the last murder are ever shown).
There was a fat guy who was supposed to be comic relief (they always are, have you ever noticed that?), but he provided neither comedy, nor relief.
After two or three murders, one woman actually went off to take a nap by herself in the dark. Hey, I'm the laziest guy I know, and even I would think twice on that one.
This was interminable, and when it finally terminated, I didn't get any of it. What was up with the little figurines? I guess it was made with no budget by a bunch of amateur teenagers who didn't realize you generally start a film with a script, then handed off to their out of work uncle who was an unpaid assistant editor on a documentary about protons and electrons back in the 1950's. You know, I shouldn't bother trying to defend it. I'm just going to condemn it. It was an abomination, something to be locked up in the attic for fear that the neighbours will find out, drag it out into the street, and stone it to death.
Best Scare: I guess if you strained really hard, you might be able to imagine where you'd put a scare if you made this movie.
I'd Recommend It To: Well, here's my current "Scream" ranking:
1. Scream (1996)
2. Scream 2 (1997)
3. Scream Blacula Scream (1973)
4. Scream 3 (2000)
5. Scream (the music video with Michael and Janet Jackson)
6. Scream (1981)
See the others, then see this one.

The tyranist's thoughts
Admit it. You're reading this review because you are curious. Just like everyone else you've seen the 1996 version of Scream and you're wondering what this one is about. And is it a predecessor? Is this the movie that inspired Kevin Williamson to pen that original "Scary Movie" script?
Let me answer all your questions. Hopefully in a manner that will convince you not to see the movie.
First, the plot. Couldn't tell you. There is a river rafting trip and a ghost town. And some death. I have rarely witnessed something as incoherent and tight with its information as this movie. Either they were making it up as they went or they just didn't want the viewer to see anything. Literally. When the movie was over, Rish and I looked at each other hoping that one of us understood even a little of the movie and neither of us did.
The acting is not terrible, the dialogue isn't horrible. But the plot seems to not even be a consideration. This isn't an example of even bad circular storytelling. They appear to want to relate a linear story but are unable to. It's like someone walking up to you and saying, "He died and then he died and then we ran. But it all turned out," and then walking away again. There's nothing there for you.
In some ways I hoped that this one would be pretty good. I am a fan of Scream (1996), but I wanted this one to stand on its own for me. It would be so cool to have two good movies with the same title that are otherwise completely unrelated. Unfortunately, this is among the worst movies I have ever seen. Don't torture yourself. Please.