(Movie Review) A Haunted House (2013)

A Haunted House is less of a parody and more of a let down.

I’m not a huge fan of the work that the Wayans family has produced. I usually find it to be the lowest form of low brow comedy. It is like an echo of a comedy. Almost what it should be but just a little less of what it could be. Most parody/spoof films do not try to be interesting or original, they only want to take a movie or franchise that has been popular and spin cheesy one liners and gross out comedy from it. Knowing that BEFORE you watch movies like this is always helpful. Sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised. I thought that Scary Movie 2 was actually really funny and was the only example of ANY of that franchise that I will watch if it is on tv. The odd thing about A Haunted House is that it actually has some really funny spots in it (enough for me to laugh out loud in the theater) but it is so uneven that you find yourself laughing one second and bored the next. The lack of consistency killed this movie for me.

Storyline: Malcolm (Wayans) is feeling very positive about moving into his dream home with Kisha (Atkins). But things quickly begin to take a turn for the paranormal and a variety of people come to aid in the investigation of the recent disturbances. A Priest, Psychic, and even a team of Ghost Hunters all lend their support. But when Kisha is possessed by the poltergeist that is haunting this home, and it is discovered that she has a much deeper connection to the spirit than anyone ever knew, the group may not be strong enough to save her…even with the help of Cousin Ray-Ray.

So, there are some good and bad things about this movie. First off, Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins are actually really really funny as Malcolm and Kisha. They work well together and are not only believable as a couple but they play off of each other great as a comedy team. That is a hard thing to pull off in some movies, especially movies like this that rely on chemistry more than story. So I would like to give them both credit for that. Also, this is probably my second favorite Marlon Wayans comedy performance (Senseless is #1) and almost makes me forget the horrible horrible excuse for a comedy that was White Chicks (2004).

The bad in this movie is every actor that was not Wayans or Atkins. Nick Swardson is awkwardly unfunny with almost every joke/bit falling flat, Cedric the Entertainer has a few laughs but not enough to include him in the movie at all, and David Koechner (who I usually love) completely underwhelms. It could have been so much better than it was. 

Worth the admission? For me? No. I was bored between joke setups. But if you are a fan of the Scary Movie franchise? Sure. You guys would love it. I just wish that Wayans would do more “real” comedy.