We have talked about the state of Hollywood quite often: reboots, remakes, reimagining… but one thing I have forgotten about (perhaps by choice) is the parody/lampoon film. These have been around for a long time but never have they been so focused on mediocrity as they are today. It is a natural result of the ease with which it has become possible any anyone to shoot a movie through out accelerating technology advances, but it still bums me out when I see something like the movie I’m reviewing today.
A HAUNTED HOUSE 2, the sequel to the nearly universally-panned A HAUNTED HOUSE, is the continuing story of our depraved ‘hero’ Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) as he continues to face down as it encircles his family. After running away from his possessed girlfriend following a car accident Malcolm is once again trapped in a supposedly terrifying situation… newly married to Megan (Jaime Pressly) and with stepchildren Becky (Ashley Rickards) and Wyatt (Steele Stebbins). The family has just moved into their new home when they begin to experience strange and inexplicable occurrences.
The problem is, like many of these newer parody/spoof flicks, A HAUNTED HOUSE 2 never allows itself to get lost within the world it has created. The story horrifically written script is never given much of a chance to develop because the filmmakers choose to indulge Mr. Wayans in long take after take to let him do “funny” things. The problem here is that Wayans doesn’t have an authentic bone in his body so the jokes never come from anywhere real and never connect with the audience. So we get Marlon Wayans screaming and sweating and acting crazy.
As the film progresses the problems are only magnified. The script gets looser and looser as Wayans and company go for the cheap laughs and do whatever disgusting things they can think of. The music that plays along with the film is similarly lackluster but at least is not distracting. A HAUNTED HOUSE 2 is a shining example of a movie that should not be, an example of a film and material that has gone to the well so many times it is devoid of value.
I hesitate to say any movie, especially one that I’ve just seen for the first time, is the worst movie I’ve ever seen. It’s a simple thing to say; that this or that is the worst movie you’ve ever seen but I hope I’ve articulated my reasoning clearly. A HAUNTED HOUSE 2 is the worst movie to come from the infamous (in my opinion) Marlon Wayans… easily the worst movie of the year, and very possibly one of the worst movies in the history of film. I got to lose hours watching it so you don’t have to… take this gift and go see something beautiful.
Video: (1080p Widescreen 2.40:1) A HAUNTED HOUSE 2 has a nice video presentation and looks absolutely beautiful on your HD television. Sadly the quality and color do nothing to enhance the awful storytelling.
Audio: (English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio) The audio is similarly strong on A HAUNTED HOUSE 2, every so often actually immersing us into the moment until the next awful plot point comes to the forefront.
Audio Commentary with actor/co-writer/producer Marlon Wayans, director Michael Tiddes, and co-writer/producer Rick Alvarez (01:26:53) Please avoid this track. The only good thing to say about this commentary track is that it doesn’t make the movie longer… I mean it literally doesn’t add a single minute to the A HAUNTED HOUSE 2. BUT if you’re looking for insight into the filmmaking process or anything else of value, look elsewhere.
Deleted and Extended Scenes (17:54) Sadly the filmmakers spent time putting this group of scenes together but they were thankfully excised from the final cut of A HAUNTED HOUSE 2. Nothing of note here; not a single laugh or enjoyable moment.
