I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Director: Jim Gillespie

Writer: Kevin Williamson (Screenplay) Lois Duncan (Novel)

Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr, Bridgette Wilson, Anne Heche, Johnny Galecki, Muse Watson

 

Plot: When four friends Julie (Hewitt), Helen (Gellar), Barry (Phillippe) and Ray (Prinze Jr) accidently run a stranger over they dump the body in the ocean. One year later upon Julie’s return to town she receives a letter say ‘I know what you did last summer’. Someone knows what they did but who?

 

Verdict: Slasher that has a good mystery about it

Story: This is one film that doesn’t follow the novel very well at all replacing suspense with hack and slash. The story turns into who done it? and for some unknown reason kills off people who had nothing to do with the accident. The way the main four are haunted comes off well, where the killer sends them messages in person, letter or symbols. In the boom of slasher films this stands well with them but in today’s cinema it comes off like a bit of a let-down. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Jennifer Love Hewitt – Julie the good moral based character who wants to do the right thing but gets pressured into keeping quiet. Is the one who gets most haunted by the killer and has to survive and scream in the final battle. Jennifer does scream queen very well but doesn’t add enough to the smart solving the mystery side to her character. Babe Watch Award (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Sarah Michelle Gellar – The typical dumb blonde who dreams are unrealistic and after high school and ends up in a 9-5 job. Strong supporting role and but hide to see her as damsel in distress after Buffy The Vampire Slayer had started. (7/10)

Actor Review: Ryan Phillippe – Tough sports guy who is destining to become a bid name footballer only doesn’t after the incident. Is very good as the tough guy who is actually is very vulnerable plays the character very well. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Freddie Prinze Jr – The poor guy of the group, has had to work for everything he has ever achieved and won’t be able to get out of the small town. Freddie is good in the role which would be considered his breakout role leading him to bigger and better role. Breakout Performance Award, Lesley Stud Muffin Award (8/10)

 

Director Review: Jim Gillespie – Puts together some suspense but not enough. This is the high point of the guy’s career which is saying he could have done a lot better with the material he had been given. (5/10)

Horror: Some good suspense and has to get some credit with the idea of trying to create an iconic weapon used in all the kills. (7/10)

Chemistry: The chemistry between the characters creates real friends of past and present. (8/10)

Believability: Urban Legend stuff (1/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Has two sequels

Suggestion: Slasher fans will enjoy this and if you asked me for a horror film in the late 90s I would suggest this one, nowadays it has dated and with the new era of horror this can’t stand next to them for horror. (Late Night TV)

 

Best Part: The creation of the icon weapon.

Worst Part: Tries to offer different people to be the killer only to kill them off very quickly.

Trivia: Jennifer and Sarah actually audition for each other’s roles.

Similar Too: Scream

 

Overall: A simple slash lacking blood and gore.

 

Lesley’s Rating 85%

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