Making a horror sequel is no simple feat. Fans have super high expectations, wanting to see characters return but also not opposed to a few fresh, new characters being part of the main storyline. The movie should be just as scary as the first one, and it also helps if there are some quotes or moments that reference the original.
BothScreamandFinal Destinationare incredibly popular horror franchises with some of the most exciting and original ideas in the genre. WhenScream 2was released in 1997 andFinal Destination 2came out in 2003, people were happy to dive back into these terrifying fictional worlds. But which horror sequel is actually better?
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When comparingpopular horror movie franchisesScreamandFinal Destination, the sequels stand out as being some of the best in the genre. Fans can look at character, location, and the main story. BecauseFinal Destination 2feels like more of the same andScream 2adds some new characters, a college setting, and two newGhostface killers, it seems possible to argue thatScream 2is the better horror sequel.
While there are manyspecial teen horror movies, there are a few about college, but it does seem likeScream 2does a more interesting job of showing a main character at college than some others. Neve Campbell’s characterSidney Prescott is a final girlwho starts attending Windsor College and who hopes that she can leave the past behind her. When the murders start again, the people in Sidney’s new life are just as freaked out as she is: her love interest Derek Feldman (Jerry O’Connell) and best friend Hallie McDaniel (Elise Neal).Scream 2also sees Sarah Michelle Geller playing CiCi Cooper, a member of a sorority on campus who is tragically killed while home one night. The movie also shows students in class having spirited debates, which is an important part of the experience.
It’s also a huge deal that Sidney is still in danger and that there are new Ghostfaces: Mickey Altieri (Timothy Olyphant) and Billy Loomis’s mother (Laurie Metcalf). The fact that such talented actors are the killers in this movie is also fun for pop culture fans. TheScreamsequel makes the first one seem even scarier. WhileScreamis a meta horror filmand it’s full of hilarious quotes and quirky, campy scenes, it’s also really unnerving to imagine how long Sidney will have to run from Ghostface.
In contrast,Final Destination 2might be the weakest entry in the horror franchise. WhileFinal Destination 3is a fun movie, the sequel doesn’t feel that different, more interesting, or more exciting than the original film. Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook) sees her friends die and talks to Clear Rivers (Ali Larter), a character from the first movie, who lets her know that Death is chasing people who are supposed to die at a certain point and who are able to survive for the time being. It’s a good idea to have Ali Larter’s character return for this sequel, as the thread who links both movies together, but since fans can’t see the same main character in every single entry in the franchise, it feels like Clear is another person who will eventually be killed by Death.
While it’s definitely scary that this curse is continuing, and nothing is worse than realizing that Death itself is out there waiting, it’s fair to say thatScream 2is more fun thanFinal Destination 2. The opening ofFinal Destination 2is freaky as several cars are involved in a horrifying car accident that is gory and gruesome. There are manydeath scenes in theFinal Destinationfranchiseand this one does stand out a lot for being gross, dark, and disturbing. But while Alex Browning’s (Devon Sawa) premonition of his plane crashing on the way to Paris is cool and interesting, the idea of Death following people around becomes a bit less special by the second movie. And while it’s an awesome opening scene that no one is likely to ever forget, that’s the only part of the movie that feels thrilling. The rest is pretty dull.
Scream 2maintains the spirit of the original: funny quotes, great characters who range from being silly to being smart and self-aware, and the chance to see Sidney again, this time even with even more determination than ever before to beat Ghostface. With so many greatFinal Destinationmovies to choose from, fans can definitely skip the second one and stick to the others, whereasScream 2is an important entry in the franchise as it gives audiences the chance to stay with Sidney for a longer period of time.
