MOVIE REVIEW: Lame movie franchise ready for another sequel
C-
The only really scary thing about “Scary Movie 3” is how not scary and unfunny it was. Sure it had some great moments, but these were few and far between.
I’ve come to expect more from director David Zucker. At least “Airplane” and “Naked Gun” had more than a fistful of brilliant moments. “Airplane” especially delighted in twisted dialogue and random moments of comedic explosion. In this third rendition of the horror film satirical series (this time minus co-creating Wayans brothers), we are left with anatomical jokes and petty physical humor. Honestly, how many times can we see a kid get hit by a car? It wasn’t funny the first time and it was even less funny the fifth time.
This is the first time in the series Anna Faris (Cindy Campbell) acts as the lead. Sure she’s got great comic timing, but it’s too bad she isn’t given better material to work with. Better watch your career Faris, you don’t want to be stuck making third-rate spoofs and Rob Schneider movies for the rest of your life.
As always, the cast is also full of cameos from Zucker-favorite Leslie Nielsen to Pamela Anderson to Simon Cowell. Some of the most inspired moments in the film come from spoofing current pop culture. Anderson is confronted with her now infamous video tape, Cowell is gunned down by rappers for dishing on their performances and a Michael Jackson impersonator (no, it is not him) is dangled out of a window.
Besides these jabs, the only truly inspired moments came from the not-so-subtle references at the movies the film is spoofing. “Signs,” “The Matrix: Revolutions,” “The Ring” and “8 Mile” all take hits. It’s a good thing the series is expanding. There are only so many horror movies and only so many ways you can make fun of them. Pop culture on the other hand provides a constant stream of material ripe for the picking.
However, some of the references crossed that fine line between good-natured fun and offensive mean-spirited cheap shots. The not-so-subtle jab at Catholic priests was one of these moments.
All in all the film is fun but not worth the box office take it has seen so far ($77.5 million). Either America is really starved for freshman humor or else it is too sick of real life to watch anything remotely worthwhile. You may think the $6.50 is worth the few laughs and endless crotch kicks, but if not, then steer clear. This may be one of those films that really will kill you seven days after watching it. Well, maybe just your brain cells.
Jared Sterzer is a senior majoring in business information systems. Comments may be sent to jwsterz@cc.usu.edu.