It's definitely a "cut" above its predecessor (forgive the obvious pun), but "Scream 3" is also a prime example of a film that's simply trying too hard.

To be more specific, the seeming finale to Wes Craven's horror-comedy series overreaches when it's trying to be hip, scary and funny at alternate times, most especially when it's trying to prove a point.

Part of the problem is that series co-creator/screenwriter Kevin Williamson has been replaced by the unproven Ehren Kruger (of "Arlington Road" fame). While Kruger does a passable imitation of Williamson — down to the unique dialogue and characterizations — his attempts to strike the right balance between scares and laughs aren't nearly as successful.

But it can certainly stand with the other installments in the series. If anything, it's scarier than the first one, and the ending isn't a dud like the one in the second movie.

Besides, its jabs at the movie industry are refreshing (though its attempts to clear Hollywood of its pro-violence image are disheartening), and it does supply a meaty role for former indie actress Parker Posey, who nearly steals the movie from "Scream" regulars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette.

They return to reprise their roles as, respectively, heroine Sidney Prescott, television personality Gale Weathers and former deputy sheriff Dewey Riley, who are brought back together when it appears that the Ghostface killer — or perhaps a copycat — has resurfaced.

The murderer appears to be stalking the cast and crew of "Stab 3: Return to Woodsboro," a horror movie based on their real-life experiences. Even more bizarre is the fact that he's been leaving photos of Sidney's mother at the crime scenes.

So, needless to say, that's more than enough to get Sidney to come out of her seclusion in northern California, where she's been working under a false name for a women's crisis center.

But our three heroes have a big list of suspects. They include sleazy movie producer John Milton (Lance Henriksen), too-involved Det. Mark Kinkaid (Patrick Dempsey), ingZnue Angelina Tyler (Emily Mortimer), filmmaker Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) and oddball actress Jennifer Jolie (Posey), who's playing Gale in the movie.

Like the other two "Screams," this one seems to run out of steam about midway through. And the violence is much more brutal than in the others (in particular, graphic scenes of violence against women).

If that's not enough, this film's ending seems to contradict events in the second picture — which might not be a bad thing, considering how awful the ending was in No. 2.

Fortunately, the tone is surprisingly humorous at the start, with well-aimed one-liners and other jabs at the expense of celebrities (including some of the current and previous cast members). And director Wes Craven is able to sustain the tension throughout.

And the cast seems to be having a ball, with Arquette's character again emerging as the most sympathetic of the bunch. But the real star here may be Posey; she's a hoot lampooning Cox Arquette's take-on newswomen "personalities."

"Scream 3" is rated R for violent stabbings, fisticuffs and gunplay, profanity, gore, use of crude gestures and some vulgar humor, and brief female partial nudity.