Most critics like Scream 2, and several rate it close to the original. The praise clusters on Williamson’s script, found witty and film-literate, and on its running joke about the rules of sequels, media and violence. Craven’s set-pieces are widely credited with real jumps, and the cast is called consistently capable, with Campbell, Cox and Arquette singled out. Total Film goes furthest, calling it scarier, funnier and better written than the first film.
The reservations are mild. Several critics say it is predictably less inventive than the original, and Empire adds that the heroine fades into the background. Roger Ebert thinks the extra gore distracts from the cleverness and blunts the scares. The Los Angeles Times is coolest, finding the raised body count morbid despite the comic tone. Collider, writing much later, admires its handling of race and fandom but finds the third act chatty. The spread is narrow: no review is negative.