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Spoofing: Success to Comedy?
By Harinda Vidanage
‘Scary Movie 3’ returns with the touches of a veteran comic director as the third installment of the horror spoof franchise took in nearly $50 million at the box office, slaughtering the October record set last year by the “Red Dragon.”

The comedy made for close to 40% of all tickets sold in its first weekend of release. Director/producer David Zucker takes the reins from the Wayans brothers, who created “Scary Movie” and its lack lustre sequel. But at least there’s good news: “Scary Movie 3” completely outshines “Scary Movie 2” in many aspects. David Zucker is one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers, with such smash comic hits as “Airplane!” “Ruthless People,” “Naked Gun,” “Naked Gun 2 1/2” and “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.”

With its funniest installment yet: Scary Movie 3. Taking shots at the latest crop of block busters, Scary Movie 3 irreverently roasts “The Ring,” “Signs,” “Matrix Reloaded,” “8 Mile,” “The Others” and more, as well as pop culture trends such as “American Idol.”

“I thought the original ‘Scary Movie’ was extremely funny,” says Zucker, “ and when I watched some recent releases such as ‘The Ring,” “Eight Mile,’ ‘Signs’ and ‘The Matrix: Reloaded’ I was hooked there was just too much going on in these movies that was ripe for the spoofing. I was sure we could make a really funny movie by turning these popular movies inside out.”

Story line goes as when roving reporter Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris) sets out to find a hard news story in the middle of television sweeps. She soon uncovers an outrageous onslaught of globe-threatening developments including alien invaders, killer videotapes, freaky crop circles, prophecies of The One, eerie-eyed children, ambitious white rappers and even a run-in with Michael Jackson.

Faced with conspiracies of massive proportions, and a crew of very strange people following her around, Cindy must fight to stop evil from taking over the world yet again all while sparing no plot line from Scary Movie 3’s assault of fast-flying twists that blow the lid off the original movie scenes
Charlie Sheen plays the afflicted farmer, while Queen Latifah and comedian Eddie Griffith pop in to provide “Matrix” jokes.

Heading the cast of SCARY MOVIE 3 is Anna Faris, one of the stars of the original “Scary Movie” and back this time as an all grown-up Cindy Campbell, now a tenaciously serious news reporter whose unceasing investigations reveal a sudden blitz of bizarre happenings, from extraterrestrials on the loose to homicidal videotapes at large.

Despite her recent award-winning performance in “Chicago,” Queen Latifah was more than ready and willing to take part in SCARY MOVIE 3. “It’s funny, it’s crazy, kids love it and I like to laugh,” she says of her desire to join in on the party. Returning from “Scary Movie 2” is Regina Hall, who plays Brenda, now a teacher who is stalked by an accursed videotape. Hall thinks the time is right for a new, and even sillier, “Scary Movie” installment. “

Also joining in Scary Movie 3 is a group of today’s hottest rap stars, many of whom were already fans of the “Scary Movie” series long before they got this opportunity” including guys from the Wu Tang Clan and Master P and Method Man and Redman was really great because only in SCARY MOVIE 3 can you mix these worlds. It could have been cultures clashing, but instead we had a great time.” says the director.

The full cast includes Simon Rex as rap-star Wannabe George; Jeremy Piven as reporter Ross Giggins; Camryn Manheim as the formidable Trooper Champlin; Regina Hall as eerie school teacher Brenda Meeks, Anthony Anderson as rap promoter Mahalik; as well as George Carlin. Fat Joe, Simon Cowell, Method Man, Redman, Macy Gray, Master P., Ja Rule, D.L. Hughley. The Coors Twins and Pamela Anderson make cameo appearances as well.

The comic essences are enhanced by the contribution made by script writer Pat Proft who has been one of Hollywood’s most prolific writers, and previously worked with David Zucker on “Naked Gun” “Naked Gun 2 1/2” and “Naked Gun 33 1/3.” Some of his most notable credits as writer, co-writer and producer include “Police Academy,” “Bachelor Party,” “Real Genius,” “Moving Violations,” “Lucky Stiff,” “Hot Shots!,” “Brain Donors,” “Hot Shots! Part Deux,” “High School High,” “Mr. Magoo” and “Wrongfully Accused”.

Some other additions to Scary Movie 3 come straight out of recent pop culture. This phenomenon has become a major influence to most of the movies made in the recent context under various genres. Scary Movie 3 will definitely generate quite a laugh and is an enjoyable movie for even kids as it has diverted from its original ‘R’ rating to more softer ‘PG 13’.


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