Scream 3

About a third of the way through this tiresomely over-plotted sequel, dead movie geek Randy delivers a video message from beyond the grave, reminding us that this is not a sequel but the concluding part of a trilogy. So does this mean tortured heroine Sidney Prescott (Campbell), TV anchorwoman Gale Weathers (Cox Arquette) and ex-deputy sheriff Dewey Riley (David Arquette) are in just as much peril as the actors playing them in the film-within-the-film, 'Stab 3, Return to Woodsboro'? One suspects not, since Miramax may want to extend the franchise. So there's no real jeopardy or suspense, just a lot of complicated, self-referential plotting punctuated by mechanical jolts. Even so, Campbell has grown into the central role, imbuing Sidney with a deep melancholy. Indie queen Parker Posey is very watchable, too, as the self-absorbed actress typecast as Gale Weathers in 'Stab 3'. But one knows all along that the new characters are merely 'body doubles' for the bankable stars. Hamstrung by this, director Craven has produced a poor carbon copy of his own New Nightmare.