For Spooky Month at RFMC, we’re looking back at the “Scary Movie” franchise that started by making fun of “Scream” and – despite its promise of “No Sequel” — just kept going. Next up is “Scary Movie 2” (2001):
Horror movies parodied
The Wayanses promised “no sequel,” yet — after seeing the check from Miramax/Dimension — they turned out part two within a year of the original. “The Haunting,” which was remade in 1999, provides the plot structure. But I was actually thinking of “Clue” when a bunch of invitees gather for dinner in a haunted house – perhaps because Tim Curry is in both movies.
That comparison doesn’t serve “Scary Movie 2” well. Sure, it’s great to have four actors return, including leading lady Anna Faris, who is happy to be the butt of jokes about her split ends and weird boobs. But more chuckles come from gross-out humor and goofy violence than in the original. It doesn’t approach “Clue’s” cleverness.
Other movies parodied
In the final showdown, the girls take on the villain in the style of a “Charlie’s Angels” fight with wire work and techno music.
Best actor
Chris Elliott plays the butler/chef who has a deformed hand and absurdly bad sanitary habits in the kitchen. This is a thankless role because Hanson is a disgusting, irredeemable character. But I have to admit I remembered him from my first viewing 20 years ago.
Best cameo
In the opening “Amityville Horror” sketch, James Woods plays a pedophile priest named Father McFeely. Later, Woods would play “himself” on “Family Guy” in a recurring role, but in 2001, it was surprising that an actor of his level would play such a ridiculous part.
Oh yeah, that gal
Kathleen Robertson, from the middle seasons of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” plays the requisite sexy girl, who tries to seduce a wheelchair-bound David Cross (“Arrested Development”) in her showpiece scene. She re-teams with former “90201” co-star Tori Spelling, who has a funnier sex scene where she enthusiastically gets in on with a ghost.
Funniest sequence
Woods is great in the cold open. Returning director Keenen Ivory Wayans masterfully spoofs the tension-building tricks of “The Amityville Horror” – a sudden insurgence of flies, a coughing priest – as Woods prays over a Bible.
Then the camera pans out to reveal he’s on the toilet. We’re not talking Jeff Daniels in “Dumb and Dumber” here, but fans of bathroom humor have to consider this scene for top-10 status.
Meta humor
The perpetually shit-talking parrot says “You are the weakest link. Goodbye” when Spelling bites the dust. “The Weakest Link” was the hot prime-time gameshow of the time. (And it was recently resurrected, with Jane Lynch hosting.)
Time-capsule humor
“Scary Movie 2” includes many gags that wouldn’t be tried in today’s PC era. Not one but two handicapped characters are targeted. Elliott steals the show (for better or worse). But Cross is also on hand as a wheelchair-bound scientist who angrily refuses offers of help. The joke gradually wears thin.
Also, Shawn Wayans’ “Ray behaving gay” gags continue from the first film. The funniest is when he turns the tables on an “It”-style clown.
Best one-liner
Father McFeely (on the toilet): “Lord, help me release this demon! … Oh, those enchiladas!”
“Scary Movie 2” (2001)
Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans
Writers: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Alyson Fouse, Greg Grabianski, Dave Polsky, Michael Anthony Snowden, Craig Wayans
Stars: Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Christopher Masterson
Photo credits: Dimension Films