5 Horror Spoofs That Don’t Suck
Matt Molgaard
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Spoofs and parody pictures haven’t really been “in style” since the 1980s. Sure, we still see the occasional sub-genre effort (the A Haunted House flicks are an example of very recent spoofs) hit the market, but the days in which they spark astounding interest are no more. The days in which guys like Leslie Nielsen could carve out careers by making fun of the already absurd have come and gone. It’s a different time, and trends suggest that fans are sharper than ever, constantly on the hunt for the next mind-bending genre flick.
Classic pics, however, are still classic pics, and it’s important that we don’t forget them. Especially the goofy ones that offer up a temporary slice of reprieve from the stresses of day-to-day life. That’s why we’ve got to put a little shine on the happier moments of horror because at the end of the day happiness isn’t something we typically associate with the genre. Here are five fine examples of a little happiness in the horror.
Scary Movie:
Okay, so truth be told, outside of the very first entry in this long-running spoof series, pretty much all of the Scary Movie flicks sucked. The magic evaporated in the heat of the wickedly good inaugural effort. Scream plays primary victim here, though flicks like I Know What You Did Last Summer certainly don’t walk away unscathed. The big bad bullies behind Scary Movie had a wonderful time stabbing the mainstream and trendy, but they’re respectful enough to get behind. Prepare yourself for some awesome sexual stunners, especially Greg’s problem below the belt line and Cindy’s apparent challenge in shaving her own goodies. But don’t sleep on the foolishness of simple scenes like Brenda’s trip to the theater (come on now, “Shake-a-spear in love” is just golden), which are far more… decent, for lack of a better term.
Student Bodies:
Student Bodies differs from the other flicks on this list because it actually goes so far as to spell out its humorous insults. Literally, you’ll spot moments in which text pops up on the screen, clearly indicating what’s wrong with the situation. And “The Breather,” while a little grating after some time, is so far overboard that it’s impossible to avoid laughing at everything he does (the damn gum on the really, really long stairwell scene still gets me) or says. This one has fun with just about every home invasion/slasher hybrid of the late ’70s and early ’80s, but it really relishes the attack on Black Christmas, Halloween, and When a Stranger Calls.
Saturday the 14th:
Unlike the other films on this list, Saturday the 14th deviates from the expected. With a title like this, you’re probably figuring you’ll see a blatant parody of Friday the 13th, but that’s not the case. This one is a story all its own (it does borrow freely from a number of films, including some classic Universal monster movies). Not only that, but the performances are markedly more low-key than your average silly cinema. While flicks like Scary Movie and Student Bodies reach really far to remind us they’re intentionally goofy, we’ve got a cast here that plays largely straight-laced. Don’t get it confused; there are a few players that clearly ham it up, but there are just as many who approach it as a genuine, no-nonsense creepfest. And that makes it stand out, empowering the laughs (there are plenty) in the proper sequences. Keep an eye out for an awesome “fish,” fun showings from Jeffrey Tambor and Richard Benjamin, and some awesome atmosphere. This one remains a personal favorite, despite the fact that it’s all but dropped from the radar.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein:
The Abbott and Costello crossover films are extremely spoof/parody-natured, but the charm in each and every one of them is the fact that there’s an aloofness to the delivery as a whole that leaves one wondering: Did these guys realize the manner in which these films would be perceived? The comedy is obviously quite thick, but when you look at the performances from guys like Lon Chaney, Jr. (in this specific case in particular), there’s no hint of humor to be detected. The performers associated with the genre show up and offer the standard straightforward deliveries that helped garner cult followings and establish film legends. Meanwhile, Bud and Lou show up with a series of supporters who clearly understand that laughs come first. Of all the Abbott and Costello flicks, this one is the certified home run.
Club Dread:
When it comes to modern day spoofs, very few manage the success of Broken Lizard’s Club Dread. Rather than picking one specific film to toy with, Club Dread pokes fun at every slasher cliche in the book. No one is safe from the wrath of this brilliant Canadian ensemble who’ve already delivered treasures like Super Troopers, Beerfest, and The Slammin’ Salmon. When it comes to dabbling in horror, however, they really seem to have a blast that goes unparalleled. From the spinning DJ head to the mere existence of Coconut Pete, there’s nothing but guffaws to be unearthed here.
