Comedy has always added a special element in the horror genre. Tension breaks and relief set viewers up for more dramatic tones during films. A popular sub-genre focusing more on comedy than horror has been parodies. From Student Bodies to Shaun of the Dead, comedic plays on popular horror trends have offered welcome laughs to not only hard-core fans, but those that shy away from blood-soaked cinema. When Wes Craven brought back the genre from the grave with the immortal Scream film, it was only a matter of time until the slew of box office horror hits that followed got a spoof. It was the iconic Wayans brothers that scared up laughs instead of shrieks with Scary Movie. After a successful sequel, the disgraced Weinstein brothers hijacked the franchise while putting out three more sequels that were beyond abysmal. This summer, the Wayans are back, with a promised no holds barred statement on both modern horror films along with a society strangled by censorship.
Cindy Campbell has been in seclusion for decades, going mad as she prepares for another Ghostface attack. Unfortunately, the doomed day arrives when her daughter Tuesday is stabbed in an eerily similar way that has haunted her mother. Sara, Cindy’s other daughter, rushes back home to protect her sister while trying to uncover the masked murderer before the Campbell family is slaughtered once and for all. Together, mother and daughter unite with friends both new and old to stop the slaughter.
Scary Movie 6 is a terrific satire that meshes social commentary with smash horror hits while entertaining audiences with laugh a minute rapid dialog. While the film’s plot follows the latest Scream sequels, the Wayans along with Rick Alverez brilliantly present a script that squeezes in as many modern horror films as possible. Old school fans will be applauding the return of franchise favorites, but it is Olivia Rose Keegan that steals the show. Keegan is bang on as Cindy’s daughter, not only putting in an amazing comedic performance with impeccable timing and physical prowess but also driving the narrative in an uncanny resemblance to Anna Ferris’s role in the original film. As promised, the Wayans tackle and destroy everything that modern audiences may find offensive. Only an overindulgent conclusion can be seen as a flaw in this hysterical film. Scary Movie 6 is the film the world both wanted and more importantly, needed!
Scream Score: 9/10