Scary Movie (2000)

Directed by: Keenen Ivory Wayans | 88 minutes | comedy, horror | Actors: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Dave Sheridan, Jon Abrahams, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shannon Elizabeth, Lloyd Berry, Karen Kruper, Rick Ducommun, Mark McConchie, Frank B. Moore, Lochlyn Munro, Shawn Wayans, Cheri Oteri

‘Scary Movie’ is intended as a parody of well-known horror films, of which ‘Scream’ is seen as the most important. Only ‘Scream’ is already a parody of horror films. So we’re actually looking at a parody of a parody.

An important point about parody is that you must have seen the original movies in order to understand the parody and the jokes. This is also the case now. Actually, you have to see ‘Scream’, ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’, ‘The Blair Witch Project’, ‘The Matrix’ and ‘The Sixth Sense’ for the best laugh. After all, the script is the same as ‘Scream’ with a touch of ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’. Furthermore, some scenes from the other films mentioned above have been copied and pasted here and there. The main task is for the one who has to come up with the jokes that are woven into the story.

The humor can be compared to the humor from the ‘Naked Gun’ movies, which is very bland and corny, which it is often said that you have to be in the mood to like it. This actually applies to all movies regardless of genre. ‘Scary Movie’ is no exception to this.

As far as there can be a certain level of humor, the level in the ‘Naked Gun’ movies is considerably higher. However, ‘Scary Movie’ does not score badly in the genre. It is a more than entertaining film, with enough laughter, but the jokes in the ‘Naked Gun’ films are slightly more subtle and therefore come into their own much better. The ‘Naked Gun’ also has the advantage that it is not directly a parody of other films. This makes it all a little easier.

In short: you don’t have to worry that ‘Scary Movie’ will be disappointing, but you won’t really cry out with laughter either.