Why "Scream 2" is the Best Horror Sequel in History!

The best sequel in horror film history? Yes. Horror sequels tend to be watered down versions of their predecessor, yet Scream 2 is nothing close to that. This sequel plays with the idea of "cause & effect" by exploring the consequences of the original Woodsboro massacre.  A remarkable quality of the film was the mixture of different genres it contained: Horror, romance, comedy, suspense...etc. The mixture of genres allowed us to sympathize better with the heroin; Who hasn't felt scared when walking down an isolated street? Who hasn't felt the butterflies of sharing a smile with their crush? Who hasn't shared a laugh with a close friend?

We were provided with a romantic plot that hooked us in the first film, and reeled us in with the second installment. I’m talking about the relationship between the ambitious news reporter, Gale Weathers, and the kind-hearted officer, Dui. 

We want them to be together, but reality keeps kicking in, reminding them of their differences, one dreams of being the next Diane Sawyer...

 While the other dreams of a normal life: a family, a white picket fence, and no murderers to chase after. 

Then, there's Sidney, our unlucky protagonist, and Derrick, a good guy that won't stop fighting for her. Once you fall for their puppy love, it hurts much more when their existence is in danger. 

"It's all happening again...." A memorable scene is when Derek, Sidney's boyfriend, is attacked. Dui rushes to Derek's rescue and Sidney's left outside the house, worried, scared, witnessing everything she believes to be her fault. It’s the exchange of looks that Dui and Sidney trade that makes the scene more significant. Dui looks at her in a way that tells her, it’s all starting again. Sidney, with watery eyes, finally accepts it, nothing is over, and more blood is to be shed.

Sidney, haunted by the sins of her mother, yearns for a normal life- but a normal life is not in her cards. (ONLY SPOILER) A killing that really hit home was Hallie, Sid's roommate, with whom she shared more than just a room, but her insecurities, and was never absent when Sidney needed reinsurance that she was not alone. 

Sidney formed an emotional bond with the victims, resulting in her blaming herself for everything, when she was only a victim as well. 

 After the first massacre, Sidney seems to suffer from post-traumatic stress. The poor girl sees ghost face everywhere, like soldiers coming back from war who find it difficult to adjust to a civilian life. A scene that pointed out how traumatized Sidney was, was the play rehearsal...

As far as the story-line goes, it’s perfectly structured. Each scene adds information to the murder mystery and pushes the story forward.  The acting is on point; Neve Campbell is a respectable scream queen.  “Scream 2” took the weaknesses of the first film and eliminated them from the second, while emphasizing on the strengths of the first installment, like making fun of horror films while being inside a scary movie itself. "Stab 2? Who would want that? Sequels suck."

 What’s your favorite horror sequel? And what did you think of “Scream 2?”