DATE MOVIE

 

"I just want to find my true love"

Julia Jones (Hannigan) was holding out for true love even though her father (Griffin) wants to arrange her marriage. This all changes when she meets Grant (Campbell) and they fall in love. Now all they have to do is meet the parents, get themselves a wedding planner and stop Grant's best friend from ruining the their big day.

When a film actually highlights that point that it comes from two of the six writers of 'Scary Movie', you know that you are in trouble.

Since 'Scary Movie' came on the scene, the parody movie has been back in vogue but the target audience has always been the lowest common denominator. The comedy is basic to say the least and the complete lack of imagination and creativity when approaching the genre and movies they wanted to take the mickey out of screams of ineptitude.

This applies to 'Date Movie'. The major problem with the film is the subject matter. When you chose to parody something you are making fun out of something that is not supposed to be funny. Were 'Date Movie' fails immeasurably is in the fact that its subject is the romantic comedy. The word comedy is paramount here because to parody something that is already funny is defeating the object. The subject matter should have been romance movies not ones that have already succeeded in making you laugh.

The targeted movies for parody include 'Meet the Parents', 'Meet the Fockers', 'The Wedding Planner', 'My Best Friend's Wedding', 'Bridget Jones' Diary', 'Pretty Woman' and 'My Big, Fat Greek Wedding' which are all successful comedies in their own right, so you have to ask the question, what was the point? You've already laughed at these movies, why would you want to watch lesser actors do exactly the same thing?

You really have to feel sorry for the cast. Gifted comedic actors and up and coming performers have to endure this weak script and tragic attempt at comedy. While they would have read the script and signed on for this knowing what they were getting into but you still can't help but think what the hell are they doing. Alyson Hannigan, Fred Ward and Jennifer Coolidge do deserve better, whatever you may think.

'Date Movie' is probably the worst parody you will ever see. If you laugh even once, you should really think about your own intelligence because no one should be finding any minute of this funny. You should only take anyone to this date movie if you want to break up with them.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary with writer Jason Friedberg and writer/director Aaron Seltzer
With every reference to the film's they are parodying 'Beeped' out, the co-writers and, in essence co-directors talk about what they wanted to do with 'Date Movie'. The pair talks about casting the roles, revealing that the role of Julia was in fact written for Alyson Hannigan and their thoughts about the films that they are parodying. This is an OK commentary but constant beeping will get on your nerves.

Cast Commentary with Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Sophie Monk, Valery Ortiz and Tony Cox
The cast of 'Date Movie' provide their take on the movie and are quite a good listen. After explaining that they cannot mention the films that they are parodying, the group start chatting about behind the scenes stories and onset shenanigans. This is actually a lot funnier than the actual film.

Anti-Commentary with Film Critics Scott Foundas and Bob Strauss
The LA Weekly and LA Daily News give their first DVD commentary for a film that neither of them really liked. This is a breath of fresh air for DVD commentaries and it turns out to be one that is really worth listening to. They say what they liked and really disliked about the movie and compare it to the other parody films that have done it so much better.

Play movie with Laugh Track
Watch the movie with a laughter track so you know when it is supposed to be funny.

Deleted Scenes (17.35 mins)
Entitled 'Ride to the alter', 'That's my diary', 'Getting it on', 'That's hot', 'Rolling Drunks', 'More meeting the Fockyerdoder', 'Bouncing with Jell-o', 'Bananas and cream', 'Krumpin', 'Too late to crash', 'Therapy' and 'Go home bitch', these deleted or extended scenes suffer from the lack a commentary track or introduction.

Romantic Screensavers
Play these on your DVD and you can romance your date with a sunset or fireplace on your TV

Andy's Cherry Stem Surprise
An interactive game where you pick a cherry to select riddle and if you answer it right Andy will create a stem surprise.

Gag Reel (2.34 mins)
Watch the cast and crew make a hash of their lines but produce more comedy than in the actual film.

Fun with Casting (1.42 mins)
Watch the audition tapes for the lead actors Adam Campbell, Sophie Monk and some of the other cast.

Fox Movie Channel presents 'Making a Spoof' (18.04 mins)
In a spoof of the 'King Kong' production diaries by Peter Jackson, Adam Campbell impersonates the Oscar winning director in a funny set of diary entries that provide more laughs than the actual film.

Coming Soon
Previews of 'That 70s Show', 'Confetti', 'Little Manhattan', 'Just My Luck' and 'Garfield 2'

OVERALL

Fox has made a real effort for the fans (if there are any) of the movie. With three good commentary tracks and some good featurettes and interactive features, this is a very good DVD package for an awful movie.

DVD

Scary Movie

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2006