SCARY MOVIE 2 -------------
After the surprise success of "Scary Movie," a sequel was inevitable. The survivors of the first are joined by some newcomers, including Tim Curry posing as a dream research professor right out of "The Haunting" who wants to subject the old gang to Hell House in "Scary Movie 2."
"Scary Movie 2" opens with an "Exorcist" parody teaming with bodily fluid gross-outs before the title credit comes up. It's also the only worthwhile part of this flabby affair. The film got a lot of publicity when Marlon Brando was withdrawn as the Max von Sydow character due to heath problems. James Woods is a hilarious replacement as the child molesting Father McFeely, trading tongue with an unrecognizable Natasha Lyonne ("Slums of Beverly Hills") as 'Megan.' Ex-Conan O'Brien sidekick Andy Richter is Father Harris, who literally ejects his mother from Megan's bed while Veronica Cartwright steps into Ellen Burstyn's role. Then the real movie begins and demonic possession suddenly seems like a better alternative than remaining in the theater.
"Scary Movie" succeeded mostly because of its sheer audacity. It went too far, but it was funny. This "The Haunting" parody, directed by the first's helmer Keenen Ivory Wayans, just goes through the motions of parodying one movie after another without any apparent stab at wit or humor.
Initially, Chris Elliott seems intriguing as Hell House's handyman with a grossly disfigured hand, but by his second scene the 'laughs' are being forced from the same gross-out bits he was introduced with and the boredom squirming sets in.
"Scary Movie 2" wastes a lot of talent (one even almost feels sorry for Tori Spelling appearing in this mess) referencing "MI: 2," "Poltergeist," "Hollow Man," "What Lies Beneath," etc. Clearly this movie's demographics are those who will feel entertained by recognizing bits from other, all better, films.
D
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