The original Scary Movie, a parody that sought to do for horror films what Naked Gun! did for police dramas, barely managed to stay on message in its first entry. It lampooned many of the popular recent horror films but it also careened wildly off into the boundless realms of pop culture satire, though with noticeable restraint. By the time they reached a sequel, that sense of focus was all but gone. Taking the flimsy haunted house premise that so many horror films use (especially in the last 5 years), Scary Movie 2 gave audiences a comedy that was as much a jab at popular horror tropes as commercials, action films, and just about anything else they the writers thought would be funny. The sequel ran into two obstacles: it relied far too much on gross out comedy and it lacks any cohesive thread to tie it all together, instead it’s just a stream of gags that seldom work.
Scary Movie 2 includes nods to horror films like House on Haunted Hill, The Haunting, The Exorcist, and Hannibal, among others. Had it the sense to stick to its titular theme, then maybe the gross out moments and shoddily executed slapstick would have been easier to bear, but when it’s all sandwiched in between references to films that have no place in a horror parody problems arise. Scary Movie, though a bit steeped in dick and fart jokes, managed to properly mock many of the worst horror trends. The follow-up maintains its hold on cheap laughs but never complements it with the scathing look at its genre that made its predecessor so great.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
The featurettes are pretty basic, but at least there are some to speak of, including looks at the makeup, special effects, and a basic behind-the-scenes tour. Additionally, a feature dedicated to the “Here Kitty, Kitty” bit is on the disc. Deleted and alternate scenes round out the set.
"Scary Movie 2" is on sale September 20, 2011 and is rated R. Comedy. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. Written by Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Buddy Johnson, Phil Beauman. Starring Anna Faris, David Cross, Marlon Wayans, Tim Curry.
