Is there any more praised yet equally reviled sub-category in the film genre of comedy? For every “Airplane!”, there is a “Loaded Weapon 1”. For every “Naked Gun”, there’s a “Spy Hard”. For every “Hot Shots!”, a “Hot Shots! Part Deux”. It’s hit and miss, or sadly, in the case of most, it’s hit and miss... and miss... and miss. The formula for this type of film is simple enough: throw as many puns, sight gags, and movie parodies at the audience as you possibly can. With such a simple formula, how can these films have such varied results? Why do the jokes in “Blazing Saddles” leave you rolling in the aisle, but the jokes from “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” leave you only rolling your eyes? There rarely seems to be a middle ground; they’re either classics or crap. The same diversity of the movie’s success can also be applied to the audience’s perception of said films. Some love ‘em, others despise ‘em. Such is life.
Well, if there’s anything more disliked than a spoof, it’s a spoof’s sequel (Airplane II, anyone?). Actually, if one of these movies is remotely successful enough to spawn a “Part 2” moniker, then I’d count my blessings. This is where “Scary Movie” steps in. Based on the huge and surprising success of its predecessor last year, “Scary Movie 2” brings its “all-star” cast back for more drug-related laughs and homosexual humor. With the phenomenal success of 99’s “The Haunting”, it was only a matter of time before the movie was lampooned along with other horror classics such as “Poltergeist” and “Mission: Impossible 2”.
The plot revolves around returning characters Shorty Meeks (Marlon Wayans), Ray Jones (Shawn Wayans), Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris), and Brenda Meeks (Regina Hall). They, along with newcomers Clark (Christopher Masterson), Theo (Kathleen Robertson), and Alex (Tori Spelling), are tricked into staying at a haunted house as part of an experiment. When the visitors find out they're not alone, humor abounds and laughter ensues. From homosexuality to drug use to physical disabilities, no subject is left unscathed as everything is the butt of a joke.
Well, where to start? First of all there are way too many “90210” alumni for my tastes (meaning anything greater than zero). To be honest, Kathleen Robertson does quite nicely as the eye candy in the film, but this definitely isn’t for the easily offended. I mean, the Wayans brothers aren’t exactly the masters of subtlety. “Scary Movie 2” goes for broke as it spoofs anything and everything from “Hollow Man” to Nike commercials to “Dude, Where’s My Car?”. The humor is admittedly lowbrow and gross-out, but in some situations, it actually works.
The next few sentences may very well get rid of the few shreds of credibility that I have at this site, but I didn’t feel this was as bad as the vast majority of people have made it seem. It’s by no means GOOD, but it is mildly entertaining. Hell, when compared to half the crap that’s called itself a “spoof sequel”, it’s freakin’ “Caddyshack”. Personally, I enjoyed Chris Elliot’s performance as the deformed Hanson. Tasteless? No question, but humorous nonetheless. I also enjoyed Andy Richter’s small but funny part during the opening. These aren’t “tears dripping out of my eyes” laughs, but they were enough to make me feel as though I got my $7.50’s worth.
All in all, is “Scary Movie 2” as terrible as most people would tell you? Not really. Is it as funny as the commercials for it would have you believe? By no means. Could I be anymore wishy-washy? Probably not. When compared with normal comedies, it doesn’t match up, but when compared to other parodies, it ain’t that bad. “Scary Movie 2” seems to fit into the rare “middle ground” I spoke of earlier. I’d probably give it a 2.5 with a very mild recommendation. Love it or hate it, one quote really personifies the film:
The Wayans brothers scored a surprise monster hit with SCARY MOVIE and in the advertising for that film they promised "no sequel." So here it is SCARY...More at Family Video
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