Spoon-fed satire begs for end of ‘Scary Movie’ sequels

Not surprisingly, this film is residing in the No. 1 slot of the box office after its opening weekend. Obviously, there were lots of audiences who laughed at this film. But they’re probably not laughing anymore.

While the fourth installment of “Scary Movie” has some funny and surprising moments, they are sparse and short-lived. This film sure makes the audiences laugh, but only for a few, tapering seconds.

Anna Faris (“Just Friends”) is back for more fun as the starring role. She can still easily pull out her mixture of terrified facial expressions and smoothly delivered one-liners, and she definitely has a blast while doing so. Regina Hall (“The Honeymooners”) has also returned for more gags as Faris’s horny friend.

The jokes and spoofs continue quite regularly in this comedy as we are shown sharp parodies of such films as “The Village,” “War of the Worlds,” “The Grudge,” “Saw” and yes, “Brokeback Mountain.” (Hasn’t “Brokeback Mountain” been mocked enough, people?) For many scenes in this film, the parodies are rather too sharp and it almost makes the viewers feel like they are watching these original films all over again. Perhaps if the authenticity was a little more lacking, the film’s atmosphere of mockery would have been sustained more efficiently.

David Zucker, who had brought us “Scary Movie 3,” reprises his role as director probably because he wanted to see if he could squeeze any more jokes out of this already parched sponge. He gets a few nice drops, but it quickly gets annoying when he keeps clutching the sponge and nothing comes out. Unfortunately, that is what most of the humor is like in this film. Everyone gets the punch lines, but nobody laughs.

Craig Bierko (“Cinderella Man”) makes an enjoyable addition to the cast as an idiotic father who treats us to a memorable take on Tom Cruise and his notoriously flagrant appearance on “Oprah.” But the best chuckles come from Leslie Nielsen (“Wrongfully Accused”) as the brainless U.S. president. Nielsen’s subtle timing and effortless silliness make it impossible to keep a straight face.

In addition to the number of films that are gleefully poked at, the string of cameo roles is even longer. Carmen Electra, Dr. Phil and Shaquille O’Neal are just some of the stars who drop in for a few moments of hilarity. Some of these moments are too short and some are too long.

Every kind of humor is displayed in this film, from bathroom to sexual, from racial to juvenile. So if you’re looking for some laughs, you’re bound to get at least two or three. And maybe more if you happen to be awake at 2 a.m.

Nobody shines in this film simply because there is too much effort and not enough originality. It’s entertaining to be spoon-fed, but when the bites are being given in such large amounts we’re not going to keep asking for more. Hopefully, this will be the last helping of “Scary Movie” we will ever have.

Casey T. Allen is a critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments can be sent to caseyal@cc.usu.edu.