Scary Movie (R)
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So... this came out in 2000, but I didn't see it until 2019. In 2016, I had watched the direct-to-video movie Shriek if You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th, which also came out in 2000, and has mostly the same plot as this movie. That is to say, they both parody a mix of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, as well as various other things. (Hell, they both have Dawson's Creek parodies; though as far as I recall, "Shriek" just did so by naming one of the characters Dawson, whereas Scary Movie's parody involves both the theme song from that show and a cameo appearance by James Van Der Beek.) It's hard for me to say whether I liked "Shriek" or "Scary Movie" better, but I'd guess I probably found this movie slightly more amusing. But of course, it was also full of dumb humor as well as plenty of offensive jokes and running gags. (And there are several instances of breaking the fourth wall, which is something I've always enjoyed.) It also spawned several sequels, unlike "Shriek," and I guess I might actually like to check out at least the first one, someday.

It begins with a parody of the opening scene from "Scream," with a girl named Drew Decker (Carmen Electra) getting a phone call from the killer (who wears a Ghostface mask). She soon ends up being killed, which sets up the events of the plot. Her killing (as well as subsequent murders) is investigated by a news reporter named Gail Hailstorm (Cheri Oteri), as well as the local police, led by Sheriff Burke (Kurt Fuller). There's also a mentally challenged character called Doofy Gilmore, who works for the police, though no one takes him seriously. (The very existence of this character is one of the most offensive things about the movie, though in the end, there's a movie parody I don't want to spoil that almost makes it all worthwhile.) Doofy also tries to help Gail with her investigation.

Meanwhile, a group of high school kids all worry that they could be the next victims, while also dealing with issues in their regular lives. The main character is Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris), who I actually liked, for her whole "girl-next-door"-ness. She's dating a guy named Bobby Prinze. And they have a friend named Buffy Gilmore (Doofy's sister, played by Shannon Elizabeth), who's dating a guy named Greg Cox (Lochlyn Munro). And there's a girl named Brenda Meeks (Regina Hall), who's dating a guy named Ray Wilkins (Shawn Wayans). (There's a running gag throughout the film in which Ray is implied to be gay.) Also, Brenda's brother, Shorty (Marlon Wayans), despite not really being part of the group of friends, is frequently seen throughout the movie (always incredibly stoned).

And... I don't feel the need to reveal any more of the plot, I guess. It's all just a bunch of redonkulousness. But I do want to mention some other familiar actors. Cindy's dad was played by Rick Ducommun, whom I knew from The 'burbs. The school principal was played by David L. Lander. There was a fake movie trailer featuring Keenan Ivory Wayans (who directed this movie); the fake trailer appears to be a parody of Titanic, but it's not. (I won't spoil what it is a parody of.) And there's a high school student named Heather, who's in a couple of minor scenes, played by Andrea Nemeth. (She's probably the person I was actually most excited and surprised to see in this movie, however minor her role, just because she was my favorite person on a Canadian TV show I used to watch, which is practically the only thing I've seen her in besides this.)

Other than that, I should mention there's a mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene. And I guess that's all I can think to say.