A Disappointment of Epic Proportions
Epic Movie, the latest effort from two of the six writers who brought us the likes of Scary Movie and Date Movie (and all the movies in between) has done it again, whatever “it” may be. Epic movie and its predecessors all have one thing in common besides Carmen Electra. Every time one of these movies comes out, you get sucked in by the chance that it could actually be really funny this time…well, the film does have its moments, yet at the end you turn to your neighbor and say “man, that was crap… and it cost me $11.50”.
Epic Movie begins by introducing us to its main cast of characters, four orphans from various backgrounds, being a Mexican “libre” wrestling camp, a school for mutants such as the school in the “epic” movie “X-Men”, a museum curator’s assistant and my personal favorite, the survivor of an incident involving some snakes on a plane. Through these four orphans, we are taken on an anything but epic journey through a host of films that are, as IMDB puts it, large in scope, popularity and reputation.
Through a deranged Willy Wonka type character who steals certain body parts to the musical stylings of Fergie’s “Fergalicious”, the four orphans find a wardrobe that leads them to the magical world of Gnarnia… Yes the G is silent as in Gnome. Much like its predecessors, the humor is all based around sex and hip hop culture and features highlights such as Carmen Electra’s portrayal of mutant Mystique transforming into exactly what main character Peter desires – a “ghetto booty”, flabby grandma arms and a mono brow.
Epic Movie features the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, forever known as “Stifler’s Mom”, Kal Penn, of “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle” fame, and a bizarre appearance by Crispin Glover as “Willy”. However, one actor that stands out is Saturday Night Live comedian, Darrell Hammond, who’s “Captain Jack Swallows” steals the show… Even if it is only for 5 minutes.
While a majority of this film will make you smile slightly and awkwardly at the screen, there are a few small segments which will make you laugh out loud in both delight and disgust. As a person who liked Scary Movie, I would only recommend you go and see it if you really do not have anything better to do. Even though you may laugh, you will end up feeling like that $11.50 could have been better spent elsewhere.
