When I found out they were making a fourth Scream movie, my first thought was: Why?

The trilogy was already complete. Everything had been wrapped up at the end of Scream 3. Why make another movie?

Apparently the Scream franchise isn't playing by the rules that it made so much fun of in the first three films. Or maybe everyone involved just needed another payday.

The problem is I'm a horror movie junkie. So of course I had to go see it. I've seen the first three, how could I not see the fourth?

The movie brings Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) back to Woodsboro for the first time since the killings in the original movie. Of course Ghostface shows up and starts hacking through anyone who gets in his way.

There are a bunch of new, young cast members. But the truth is you really don't care about them because you never really get to know them. And besides, somebody has to be there in order for the body count to rise.

Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Gale Weathers Riley (Courtney Cox) are back as well. They're married now, in the movie, but divorced in real life. Very confusing.

I guess they had to be included because they are the "stars" of the franchise along with Campbell. But really there's no point in having them in this movie. There's nothing for either of them to do. They could have been replaced by any random actors and it wouldn't have changed the movie a bit.

Once again Wes Craven directs and Kevin Williamson is back as the writer. Craven does his usual good work. Williamson missed the third movie, but his presence helps this sequel.

There is a different set of rules for the killer this time. Like the movie poster says: New decade. New rules. Williamson lays them out for us in fine fashion and includes several humorous moments during the film. The opening sequence pokes fun at the previous movies and at itself.

As the movie marches toward its end, I'll admit I didn't know who the killer (or killers) was. I just didn't know enough about the characters to make a guess. The twist at the end was kind of silly, but it was unexpected. I guess that's why it was a twist.

I would say Scream 4 is easily better than Scream 3 and just nudges ahead of Scream 2. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near as good or clever as the original. My main complaint would be that it just isn't scary. Isn't that the point of a scary movie?

So to answer the question in the headline: Did I hear a Scream? No.

I read online that if this movie makes enough money, it could be the beginning of a new trilogy. I'm not sure they're going to make it.

Of course if they do, I'll have to see them. I've seen the first four, how can I not see the fifth? Or sixth?

Glen Christmann is The Press news editor and didn't jump one time during Scream 4. He can be reached at [email protected].