Scary Movie 4
Though I missed it in the movie theater, I really looked forward to renting
and watching Scary Movie 4. I know I may be quite sad, but I actually have
enjoyed (mostly) the previous ones. With that same anticipation I sat to
watch the fourth installment of this franchise and assumed I be entertained. Well, you know what they say about assumptions...
Anna Faris plays Cindy, who discovers she is living in a house haunted by a
little boy (ala The Grudge) and tries to search out who he is and why he is
harassing her. Similar to the other Scary Movies the fourth one spoofs
many of the recent money makers, as well as some celebrities who have made
headlines in the none-too-distant past. However, this time around, most of
these spoofs felf forced and even outdated.
The third movie introduced a new cast of characters and actors some of who
have returned in this fourth movie. Gone are the Wayan brothers who added
so much to the comedy and humor of these movies. Anna Faris is terrific and
always finds a way to make me laugh, but the rest of the 'gang' leaves a lot
to be desired. Faris has amazing comedic talent and is able to keep a
straight-face at times when a 'normal' human being would be dying of
laughter. Unfortunately, this movie felt completely held together by her
and the the rest of the cast did nothing to keep the story flowing.
In discussing "how could the movie be better" I would have to say, first and
foremost, bring back the original cast or stop making the movies. Simple as
that. No one else they have brought into the last two movies are even near
the same league, comedically, as Faris and it shows on screen. Increase the budget, write a better script or use blackmail tactics to get the Wayans
back to save this franchise, or bury the entire idea. Those are the options
I see as to how it could have been improved because the cast used, aside
from Anna Faris and Regina Fall (Brenda - another original) simply do not
have the comedic skills necessary to make this movie, or any future Scary
Movie, worth the price of admission.
That said, I will be honest, I laughed at times (sometimes very hard) but
overall felt rather bored by this movie. However, since I watched the movie
I have found myself remembering certain scenes and quotes that have made me
laugh more after-the-fact. This past weekend while out with family in Las
Vegas, certain situations brought to mind "The Tom Cruise spoof with Orpah" and I would break into spontaneous laughter. Or, as I saw a poster
advertising a Mike Tyson fight, I thought of the "Mike Tyson spoof" and had
to share the humor with my folks. It is odd to me that though I didn't
enjoy the movie while watching it and even told my friend afterward, "Well
that was lame," now there is a large part of me that is glad I did watch it
simply for the lasting visuals I am left with that give me a giggle here or
there throughout the day.
In short, if you want to laugh-out-loud or roll in the isles, don't watch
Scary Movie 4. But if you liked the others and need a little 'lasting'
humor to get you through the days, give it a watch, something will certainly
stick with you and give you cause to chuckle, just don't expect too much.
All in all, I would have to give Scary Movie 4 an overall rating of C.
The grade breakdown for Scary Movie 4 would be as follows:
Story: C. A bit tired and outdated. There have been so many spoofs of the
things used in this movie already that most of them seemed tired and
overused.
Acting: A- for Anna Faris and Regina Hall (though she didn't do much), but
a D for everyone else. See the entire review for details here.
Visuals: C. Nothing amazing or spectacular, but they were 'alright.'
Originality/Innovation: C. See the entire review for details here, too.
Enjoyability grade: D during and B+ after.
Overall grade: C.
DVD extras: Honestly, I was so tired of the movie after it was done, I
couldn't be bothered to look.
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