Scary Movie is as offensive and relentless as advertised, firing gags in every direction - but sadly, more miss than hit. Still, there’s something undeniably comforting about seeing the Wayans family back in the fold with the franchise they helped create. After all, Scary Movie was their baby, and their particular brand of irreverent, sketch-comedy-inspired humor remains the secret sauce that made the early films stand out in the first place. They understand the rhythm of parody better than almost anyone, and there are flashes here and there that remind you why the original two films became such cultural phenomena. And, like every entry in the series, the film throws an absolute avalanche of material at the wall to see what sticks. Some viewers may find themselves laughing more than others - comedy is, of course, highly subjective. But even by the franchise’s admittedly low-brow standards, surprisingly few of the jokes land with any real impact. Part of the issue may be the targets themselves. The original Scary Movie films arrived during a golden age of horror that was overflowing with iconic movies ripe for lampooning. This time, the focus is on contemporary horror releases from the past few years - and many simply aren’t as fertile a ground for parody. Sure, Scream has enjoyed a successful resurgence, but it’s difficult to satirize something that has already spent decades poking fun at itself. Without venturing into spoiler territory, the film’s funniest - and perhaps most unexpected sequence - revolves around The Substance. IUnfortunately, very little else reaches that same level. Yes, Scary Movie has always thrived on being crude, rude, tasteless, and wildly inappropriate. But the best entries also had a sharpness to them. The movie does make a concerted effort to pass the torch to a new generation of performers, but the younger cast struggles to match the charisma and sheer screen presence of the original ensemble. Whenever the OG cast members appear, they effortlessly steal the spotlight. Their chemistry remains intact, and their reunions provide some genuinely enjoyable nostalgic moments for audiences who grew up with these films. That nostalgia factor ultimately keeps Scary Movie from becoming a complete disaster. But for a franchise returning with its founding fathers back at the helm, this comeback never feels as inspired or as fearless as it should. Rather than a triumphant return to form, Scary Movie ends up feeling more like a dusty reunion tour.