Lately, the only movies worth going to the cinema for are parodies. For the past 30 years, directors, producers and actors have taken popular movies, TV shows and culture and turned it upside down. Here’s a ranking of my top 10 parody movies.
10. Hot Shots! Part Deux
Starring: Charlie Sheen, Lloyd Bridges
This sequel to Hot Shots has Sheen return as Topper Harley to take out Saddam Hussein and save hostages. Sheen’s character mocks Rambo, the Kickboxer and other action heroes from ‘80s movies. The scene where Sheen shoots several Iraqi soldiers like a video arcade game was classic.
9. Scary Movie
Starring: Shannon Elizabeth, Cheri Oteri
For everyone tired of the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer-type of movies, Scary Movie was a breath of fresh buttery popcorn. Elizabeth played a typical teenager being stalked by a masked murderer and Carmen Electra gave a great performance as the girl on the telephone. The chase in the house and on the lawn left little to the imagination. The funniest part was watching character after character die.
8. Not Another Teen Movie
Starring: Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans
In the ‘80s, a crop of movies geared toward teens dominated the theaters. Recently, the genre made a comeback with movies like American Pie, 10 Things I Hate About You and Clueless. This movie pokes fun at the star athlete, cheerleader, geek and ugly girl who is really pretty behind her thick glasses and greasy ponytails.
7. Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Starring: Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis
Mel Brooks is a legend when it comes to parodies. Robin Hood, played by Cary Elwes, is sarcastic and witty. He’s followed by a blind man, black man and other misfits in kelly green tights. Hood’s battles with the Sheriff of Rottingham and King John were memorable. Brooks showed his trademark style in one of the fight scenes between Hood and the sheriff. As the two men faught, the sheriff stabbed a crewmember filming the scene.
6. The Naked Gun- From the Files of Police Squad Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley
Perhaps the greatest parody actor ever stars in this film, Nielsen. He resurfaces as Drebin in this film and uses his fabulous straight face style to deliver off-the-wall jokes. This movie is packed with huge disasters and people being injured due to Drebin’s knack for mishap.
5. Scary Movie 2
Starring: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans
This time the Wayans attacked The Exorcist. The ghost haunting the dwelling had a sex life, smoked marijuana and loved to race wheelchairs. Chris Elliot gives the best performance throughout the movie as Hanson the butler.
4. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka
Starring: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Bernie Casey
Keenen Ivory Wayans has proven in the last 15 years, he is the new Mel Brooks. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka was his directorial debut. Wayans sets out to mock blaxploitation films and characters of the ‘70s. The cast features actors from that decade like: Jim Brown, Issac Hayes and Antonio Fargas. Wayans stars as Jack Spade, a not-so-heroic soldier trying to avenge his brother’s death.
3. Airplane!
Starring: Robert Hayes, Julie Hagerty
This film had it all— three talented actors that specialize in this genre— Leslie Nielson, Robert Stack and Lloyd Bridges. From the opening scene with the Jaws theme playing, until Robert Hayes saves the day after the pilot crew suffers from food poisoning, this film has sarcastic jokes and outrageously gross acts.
2. Spaceballs
Starring: John Candy, Rick Moranis
If Star Wars is a classic, then Spaceballs is legendary by default. This movie turns the world of C-3PO and Yoda upside down. The plot of follows the original Star Wars movie closely with a few gags and name changes. Rick Moranis plays Dark Helmet, a spoof of Darth Vader, and battles Lone Starr played by Bill Pullman.
1. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central while Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Starring: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans
Almost every person 20 years old or older has seen one coming of age in the ‘hood movie. Whether it was Boyz n Da Hood or Menace to Society, these films have influenced several people, like the Wayans brothers. Menace uses a combination of scenes from those movies, racial stereotypes and grotesque humor to make an unforgetable film. The relationship between Trey (Shannon Wayans) and his younger father is hilarious. The appearances of semi-automatic guns, 40 ounce beers and marijuana show how stupid stereotypes are. The jokes and the wittiness make this film the best parody of all time.
