Once again, audiences find themselves face-to-face with the banality of modern parody, in the form of yet another take on paranormal evil. The Scary Movie franchise, based initially on characters created by Marlon Wayans (who has since moved on to Haunted House and an anticipated sequel) and his kin, is now in the hands of Malcolm D. Lee (whose Undercover Brother is a cult artifact that still hasn’t been unearthed and re-discovered), but it is no longer the trendsetter when it comes to breaking down the latest clichés in horror. Is it worth getting the last laugh? Now in theaters. (PG-13) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2013.