What’s your favorite scary movie? Well, if it just so happens to be one of the “Scream” movies, you’re in luck. After 11 years of waiting, “Scream 4” finally hit theaters last Friday. Like I’ve said in past articles, scary movies are my thing. I am highly critical of today’s horror genre-it’s ridiculous to see all the crap that passes as scary these days.

Well, that is and has always been the message of the “Scream” series. The first “Scream” practically revitalized the dying horror genre back in 1996. The film brought to light the ridiculousness of horror movie clichés while still managing a good plot with a lot of scares. “Scream 4” keeps this alive by playing off of the remakes that hit theaters almost every weekend.

“Scream 4” is not, by the way, a remake; it’s a sequel that contains elements of a remake to reflect the current horror trend. The film stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.

Let’s recap the “Scream” series. After the murder of a fellow classmate, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends begin receiving calls from the Dave Mustaine-sounding killer, Ghostface. As the bodies pile up, suspicion begins to fall on nearly every character. It is later revealed, however, the killer is none other than Sidney’s boyfriend, Billy, and his best friend, Stu, is working as an accomplice.

The killing spree was basically an act of revenge on Sidney’s family because her mom, who they also killed prior to the film, had an affair with Billy’s dad causing his mom to leave. They plan to kill Sidney and frame the entire thing on her father. With the help of Gale (Courteney Cox) and Deputy Dewey (David Arquette), she manages to subdue and kill Billy and Stu. “Scream 2” and “Scream 3” follow basically the same plot-Sidney being harassed by a Ghostface copycat.

Fifteen years after the original Ghostface murders, Sidney Prescott returns home to a nightmare. After three films, Ghostface has returned to torment Sidney and her young cousin. The film’s plot closely resembles that of the first film, giving it the feel of a remake. The film starts with a humorous movie within a movie, “Stab 7.” “Stab,” a movie within a movie based on the Ghostface murders, played a major plot role in “Scream 2.” The film then switches to real life, and two young girls are murdered by a new Ghostface copycat.

Coincidentally, Sidney arrives in town to promote her new book, “Out of Darkness.” Things spin quickly out of control, and people start getting killed. It’s up to Sheriff Dewey, Gale and Sidney to learn the new rules of horror to unmask this new Ghostface.

Fantastic! “Scream” does it again. I’m absolutely fed up with the horror movies of today. Besides a palm full of exceptions, most scary movies nowadays lack strong plots and character development. I think the best kind of scary movie is one that makes you paranoid after watching.

Take, for example “Paranormal Activity.” I could not sleep for a week because I knew in my heart there was a ghost-demon under my bed. Most movies sacrifice the lingering creepiness that keeps you up at night for cheap jump scares that last for two seconds. The reason I loved “Scream 4” was the fact that it took the lame elements of trendy horror movies and made them scary.