Dir: David Zucker. Starring: Anna Faris, Charlie Sheen, Leslie Nielsen, Pamela Anderson, Peter Boyle.
Writing a review for Scary Movie 3 seems a bit superfluous. I mean, if ever there was a case of knowing what you’re in for, this is it. The first two Scary Movies have paved the way for this one, and by and large the film is identical to its predecessors (though, I confess; I haven’t seen the second one). Some of the jokes are funny, most of them are not. The film ambles along relatively smoothly without caring too much either way. Some reviewers really take offence at these films, decrying modern standards of humour, but to be honest, I find anything with Martin Lawrence (and lately, Eddie Murphy) far more insulting. The Scary Movie franchise has, at least, the grace to know all its jokes don’t work, and doesn’t push it.
The plot itself is primarily an amalgam between Signs and The Ring, with Charlie Sheen taking over from Mel Gibson and Anna Faris taking the reigns from Naomi Watts, there’s a little bit of 8 Mile, and Matrix, and stuff from god knows what else where, and it all blends together into a reasonably affable film, not exactly funny, but funnyish (keep in mind though, readers, I was expecting absolute shit).
This particular version is directed by David Zucker, famous for Airplane! Top Secret and the Naked Gun films. It’s astounded me how many reviewers complained about how far his standards have slipped. Comedy, it seems, sucks up nostalgia faster than a Richard Curtis screenplay. The previous Zucker films
From a stylistic standpoint, Zucker’s directiing hasn’t changed a bit. Precursor to The Simpsons, and the first, very mainstream postmodern humour, Zucker’s short, fast directing style could be called “comedy in numbers”. This guy doesn’t dick around with too much technique clouding up the gags, and I think it takes a real skill to do that.
The cast themselves are fine. Sheen does okay, but is yet to reach his Hot Shots heyday, and Anna Faris grimaces at all the appropriate moments. Ultimately, Scary Movie 3 doesn’t pretend to be anything more than it is. If you think you’ll like that, you probably will, and if you think that you won’t, steer well clear. Having said this, I was pleasantly surprised, but I do get my tickets for free and that goes a long way with video material like this. So no, Scary Movie 3 is hardly The Life of Brian, but it’s not Cheaper By The Dozen, either (thank sweet mother of god). It’s kind of lame, but these movies always are, and I think we need to lighten up and realise that should be okay.
C+
Patrick Garson.
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