HOLLYWOOD—Its been a little over seven years since audiences were last treated to an installment in the “Scary Movie” franchise. After a bit of a hiatus, the comedy spoof returns this weekend with “Scary Movie 5.”
It’s important to note that this installment does not include any of the original players from its predecessors. Anna Faris and Regina Hall, will not show up in this installment. “Scary Movie 5” which was not screened for critics beforehand, attempts to take a stab at tackling the supernatural craze that has taken over the horror genre.
This installment stars Disney alum Ashley Tisdale, as Jody, a wife who begins to experience strange occurrences in her home after she brings home her newborn. For anyone who has seen a trailer for the picture, you are well aware the movie pokes fun at the “Paranormal Activity” franchise. Its important to mention that an earlier picture this year “Haunted House” starring Marlon Wayans who starred in “Scary Movie” and “Scary Movie 2” was released in January. That picture was a bit risqué with its R-rating, which allowed it the opportunity to push the envelope.
Other players in this installment include Jody’s husband Dan (Simon Rex), Jody’s best friend Kendra (Erica Ash), Mia (Sarah Hyland), Barbara (Heather Locklear) and Katt Williams. What made the franchise so popular was its ability to not be afraid to push the envelope; “Scary Movie” and “Scary Movie 2” were both rated R. Those pictures were not afraid of getting frowns from the audience or the public.
Previous installments in the franchise have been rated PG-13, which lessens the impact of what the series initially began to do; parody the horror genre. Somewhere in the mix, the supernatural craze became dominant and the series has run with it, hence the decrease in the laugh factor. A lesser rating opens the doors for the movie to reach a more massive audience, but it also limits to what degree the franchise can really highlight the infamy of the horror genre on the public.
“Scary Movie 5” might deliver laughs, but the trailer seems to give all those chuckles to the audience. We already know some scenes in the picture will poke fun at the movie “Black Swan.” The audience is also aware that the picture “Inception” will deliver some laughs, in addition to cameos by Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan portraying themselves.
If the series really wants to get the audience back into the theater seat, it would be worth noting bringing back some of the notable players from the first installment and continuing where that picture left off, by poking fun at the sequel rules of horror pictures in addition to the countless remakes that have destroyed the horror genre as we know. There are tons of movies to poke fun at, while making fun of pop culture at the same time. The franchise still has plenty of potential, but if the right ingredients are not meshed well it will just fall flat.
By LaDale Anderson
