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Scary Movie 4 7.5 out of 10
Running time: 1:20 MPAA rating: PG-13 (Crude and sexual humor throughout, some comic violence and language.) Peruvian rating: Mayores de 14
Cast:
Anna Faris, Craig Bierko, Regina Hall,
Leslie Nielsen, Charlie Sheen, Bill Pullman. |
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I guess I'm one of the few people who actually likes the Scary Movie saga. The first two movies, directed by the Wayans Brothers, while daring and sometimes tough to watch, were really funny in a disgusting and and uncomfortable sort of way. With installment #3, the studio decided to change the majority of the crew, and David Zucker (of Airplane and Naked Gun fame) became the new director of the series. Scary Movie 3 wasn't as surprising as the other two - mainly because of the change in rating - but I found it pretty funny in a really stupid kind of way. Last year, the latest entry in the saga, Scary Movie 4, was released, this time spoofing films like War of the Worlds, Saw, The Village and The Grudge and, again, I found myself rolling on the floor laughing while watching the film. Yes, it's stupid. Yes, many of its gags focus on vomit, farts, urine and other bodily fluids, but I guess a really immature part of me can't help but laugh while watching these movies. They're cheap and simplistic, but they're amazingly entertaining too.
The way the storylines - which spoof the aforementioned films as well as a couple others - are interwoven makes no sense, and the movie as a whole seems really random and stupid, but I guess that's kind-of the point. I mean, I bet Zucker and co. weren't thinking about plot while writing the screenplay. The production team, featuring two of the ZAZ team members (Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker), David Zucker and Jim Abrahams, demonstrate why they're still considered the masters of saturation humour. The film's script makes sure there's virtually not a second a joke isn't being told and, although there are both good gags and misfires, the audience need not to worry; they're always be another joke around the corner. The movie as a whole might not be as effective or witty as Zucker's previous efforts, but it's pretty amusing nonetheless.
Many of the characters from the previous installments have returned for this fourth outing. Anna Farris' Cindy Campbell is back as the protagonist, as well as Leslie Nielsen as the President of the United States. Both of them are effective, and understand the material, taking in consideration the kind of movie they're making. Nielsen in particular is pretty funny, although he has one of the most disturbing scenes in the movie. I would've never imagined I'd see Nielsen naked in a film... yeah, the scene is pretty disturbing, but it's also funny in a creepy sort of way. (I was laughing and making "eeewww" noises at the same time.) The other significant actor is Craig Bierko, doing a pretty impressive impression of Tom Cruise. None of these characters are developed and none of them react in an intelligent manner to any situation, but the actors know all of this is done on purpose, and seem to be having a good time. (Even Farris, who has already appeared in all four installments of the saga.)
Additionally, there are plenty of cameos, although none of them are high-profile. Dr. Phil and Shaquille O'Neal appear in the opening scene spoofing a sequence from Saw; Charlie Sheen reprises his role from the third outing, and is part of one of the movie's funniest scenes (in an immature sort of way... yeah, I laughed at it); Hugh Hefner's three girlfriends also make an appearance, as well as Michael Madsen who looks mean and utters ridiculously funny (and stupid) lines and Mike Tyson who dresses in drag and bites a few ears. Bill Pullman also appears, wearing a thick beard, and James Earl Jones makes a cameo as the film's narrator. (Now, I wasn't expecting him to make an appearance, although his presence is welcome.)
So, what can I say about Scary Movie 4? I guess it's directed to a particular sort of audience, the kind of people who like "saturation humour" and are able to laugh at really stupid jokes. I might hate to admit it, but I guess I'm that kind of person. Yes, I know the film is stupid, reliant on sex-and-bodily-fluids-related gags and movie spoofs, but I just couldn't stop laughing at it. (That doesn't mean I can laugh at anything. There're idiotic films such as Epic Movie that can't make the most immature of audiences laugh.) The movie's okay for cheap laughs, but if you're expecting something more substantial or interesting, you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you've seen any of the films this movie spoofs and want to have a good time by laughing at dumb and brainless (yet hilarious) jokes, this movie's for you. It might not be a good film, it might not be even decent, but it made me laugh. A lot. Isn't that the purpose of a comedy?
©2007 Sebastián Zavala - Star Wars Epica