The Movie Guys: ‘Scary Movie’ is hysterical take on the genre

Friday, July 7, 2000 | 10:24 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun. They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/ movies and themovieguys.com.

Grade: Jeff B, Dave B-.

Starring: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Shannon Elizabeth.

Screenplay: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer.

Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans.

Rated: R for strong language, crude humor, drug use, brief nudity and graphic violence.

Running time: 85 minutes.

Playing at: UA Green Valley Cinemas, UA Showcase 8, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, Century Orleans, Century Cinedome 12 Henderson, Rancho Santa Fe 16, Las Vegas Drive-in, Regal Cinemas Boulder Station, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18,Regal Cinemas Village Square 18.

Synopsis: The murder of a high school classmate, plus the terrifying secret behind what happened last summer, makes a group of misguided teens suspect that a killer is among them. Sound familiar? Well, it should, as this raucous comedy spoof takes on the teen horror genre with gruesome and hysterical delight.

Dave: Every genre has had its funny bone knocked a few times. But it was not until the '70s that parody films became prominent among film genres, thanks to such talents as Mel Brooks with his memorable satires such as "Blazing Saddles" (1973) and "Young Frankenstein" (1974), and the creative team of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker behind "Airplane!" (1980) and "Naked Gun" (1988).

Unfortunately, the '90s were not kind to spoofing as audiences grew tired of what seemed to be the same ol' shtick. Political correctness killed all existing humor. Brooks' most recent outing "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" proved to be, well ... dead. And in 1998 Abrahams produced "Jane Austen's Mafia!" a prime example of a comical blunder when you split up Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker.

However, it was only a matter of time before an unscathed genre such as teen horror films of the last 20 years would be picked on by some amusingly unhinged minds. So why not the underrated Wayans brothers -- Keenen Ivory Wayans (best known for formulating his own hit television series "In Living Color"), plus brothers Marlon and Shawn -- to essentially make a parody out of the pop-culture parodies spawned by the success of "Scream" (1996)?

Jeff: The spoof genre re-invents itself with "Scary Movie." I'm happy to report that the creative and fascist standards of political correctness and good taste are out the window. The gloves are off and the film is poised to be the sleeper hit of the summer. "Scream" itself was a parody with a few notable twists, while "Scary Movie" not only takes on its own genre, but also mimics films like "The Usual Suspects," "The Matrix," "The Sixth Sense," a popular WB television show and even a current parody of a well-loved beer commercial. I don't want to spoil all of the surprises because a film like this depends on the element of surprise. Yes, even "The Blair Witch Project" isn't safe.

I laughed a lot, due probably to the simple fact that the film is so raunchy. This film really pushed the R rating to the limit, and leave it to the Wayans brothers to orchestrate such a comic composition and allow comedy to ring true and be free once more. The sight gags are fast and fierce and the movie flip-flops from parody to sketch comedy with lighting speed. The plot is flimsy, but we all know the stories and the filmmakers are depending on it. I was inspired to see how many of the jokes hit their target. It left me and the audience in stitches. The running gags proved to be well-placed and paced, but I fear that most critics and parents wont be able to enjoy this film, being unable to see past its crude humor and explicit sexuality. Anyone under 30 will love it.

Dave: Unlike his previous feature ventures, Keenen Ivory Wayans keeps at arm's length and only takes over the chores as a director, leaving Marlon and Shawn (the duo responsible for WB's hit series "The Wayans Bros.") to shine as the film's co-stars and co-writers. The popular twosome, who are no strangers to parody with their cult 1995 flick, "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood," supply plenty of idiotic nonsense and silly dialogue that would please the typical adolescent.

Yet there is a sort of guilty pleasure that comes over you while watching contemporary culture ridiculed at our own expense. Don't believe me? Try not to smile when Cindy (Anna Faris) and her sexually patient boyfriend Bobby (Jon Abrahams) begin making out in her bedroom to the Paula Coles tune "I Don't Want To Wait" and in comes James Van Der Beek of "Dawson's Creek" through the open window. Priceless.

Jeff: "Saturday Night Live" cast member Cheri Oteri is hysterical as pushy TV reporter Gail Hailstorm, and the gorgeous Shannon Elizabeth (of "American Pie" fame) plays the stuck-up beauty queen. But the gem of the film is Dave Sheridan as Deputy Doofy. Well, I think he's a deputy. He wears a paper cutout badge and is a sort of a Barney Fife with a severe learning disorder. He's crude, ludicrous and a true comic find.

The cast is young and energetic and provides plenty of giggles. Be sure to stay through the final credits, all of which provide one last laugh and a great finish to a memorable night out at the movies.