Scary Movie
Scary Movie *** (R)
Reviewed By George O. Singleton

Not too scary, a little bit funny…and very sexy

Drew: Carmen Electra
Doofy: Dave Sheridan
Cindy: Anna Fans
Brenda: Regina Hall
Buffy: Shannon Elizabeth
Director: Kennen Ivory Wayans

30 Second Bottom Line: A comedy, with a very loose plot, about six teenagers and what happens after they accidentally kill someone and then dump the body in a lake so they will not be accused of murder. A year later, a masked killer is out for revenge. Oh yeah…it's also got a lot of sex.

Story Line: Drew (Carmen Electra) is chased by a killer dressed for a big time Halloween party, with her clothes being torn off at strategic body points. She is also a goof ball who does things like beat up little children who only want to say "trick or treat."
The tone of the film is set with such antics as a woman loudly passing intestinal gas.

Because there really is no plot, to tell the story is the same as telling you all the funny set ups and punch lines. People do get killed in some of the strangest ways and for doing the strangest things. Doofy (Dave Sheridan) is a less than a bright police officer that an attractive news reporter becomes friends with. She's a reporter who will literally do anything to get her story.

Cindy (Anna Fans) is sexy and funny. She knows how to turn on the charm as well as defend herself from danger. Cindy has the ability to be an airhead, while at the same time show off her high IQ.

Buffy (Shannon Elizabeth) wins the Ms. Teen Pageant contest for her acting skills, or so it seems. What she sees is real, but the judges think she is acting in horror. She is concerned about her friend but more concerned about being a beauty queen.

Brenda (Regina Hall) knows how to go to the movies, as she brings her own food and thinks it's OK to talk loudly as long as only the previews are playing. Each of these descriptions gives some insight as to the characters in the movie and at a minimum, the start of the gag.

Tell Me More About It: Numerous films are satirized in Scary Movie such as The Sixth Sense, The Exorcist, Scream, The Blair Witch Project and even Amistad. Director Kennen Ivory Wayans was able to do more with the male genitalia than was the case in the soft-porn movie Boogie Nights.

The satirical tone of the movie is illustrated by a sign prominently displayed in the police station that reads "Serve and Protect…Shoot to Kill." Small wonder when Cindy is in danger and calls 911 the operative words are "White woman in danger."

All the right buttons are pushed to get our attention on numerous controversial subjects, without being mean spirited and most important, very funny. Any film that's willing to make fun of itself by observing that all of the actors playing high school students have long been out of high school, gets my vote for knowing how to rattle the funny bone. Just what will Wayans think of next? Maybe Scary Movie 2!…if this does well at the box office.

R (sex; violence; drugs; nudity; language; morality)
George O. Singleton © 2000

Mini Filmography
Carmen Electra: Cheerleaders
Kennen Ivory Wayans: In Living Color..TV
Anna Fans: Lovers Lane
Regina Hall: Love & Basketball
Shannon Elizabeth: American Pie