Wes Craven returns with the third and presumably final chapter in the popular series. Scream 3 conveniently takes place in Hollywood where producers are making a film called Stab 3 (a horror film based on the events that took place in he first two Scream pictures--territory that Craven covered more effectively in New Nightmare). Production is cut short, however, when yet another slasher starts killing off members of the Stab 3 acting crew.

I guess Scream 3 does have it's share of clever moments. It isn't merely paying homage to the horror films that inspired it. It's actually sending up it's own blood soaked legacy. The real problem, aside from a fairly entertaining opening sequence, is that Scream 3 isn't scary.

It also doesn't help that many of it's numerous characters are annoying. I was also bothered by the fact that the Gail Weathers (Courtney Cox') character never seems to learn anything. With each Scream film, she starts off as a snooty reporter but then sees the error of her ways. How many people need to die before they get a reality check. This may be a trivial argument, but nevertheless, it doesn't make sense.

Scream 3 usually works best when it's making it's cute little inside jokes and offering up hilarious cameos including one from Clerks' Jay and Silent Bob.

Ultimately, Scream 3 seems tired and can't measure up to the new crop of thrillers including Blair Witch Project and The Sixth Sense. Still, it's worlds better than the onslaught of films it's inspired (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Urban Legend etc.).

In the end, it's good to know that Scream 3 is the final entry in the series. At least that's what Wes Craven and company promise. Let's hope the studio doesn't get any ideas in the future, because Scream is becoming nothing more than a whimper.