Scary Movie 2 (2001)

It's obvious Scary Movie 2 was cobbled together quickly after the surprise success of the original, hitting theaters less than a year later and containing of-the-moment parodies that must have been inserted just weeks beforehand. As if it matters, there's little in the way of plot propelling this variety show approach to puerile gags. Only a little less so than the original, the sequel oozes preternatural crassness and grossness, most frequently in the form of projectile bodily fluids -- Exorcist-style vomit, parrot feces, and other unmentionable excretions. But yes, there are laughs in there too, just not enough for this to exceed the status of a sloppy cash cow for Miramax, eager for its share of the summer box office. The actors are basically agreeable, with Anna Faris reprising her nimble pratfalling from the original, James Woods going surprisingly lowbrow, and 90210 alums Tori Spelling and Kathleen Robertson vamping up a storm. Keenen Ivory Wayans knows how to seek out and stab the most familiar parts of our popular consciousness, from Charlie's Angels to The Weakest Link to that Nike ad with the percussive basketball dribbling and shoe squeaking. There's just little thought given to turning them into something coherent. Scary Movie 2 is light on genuine knee-slappers and minutes of film stock (a scant 82), but those who liked the original shouldn't be overly disappointed. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide