By Rob N. LeDonne

The latest in a series that spoofs popular films and other pop culture, Epic Movie is outdated, uneven and mostly dull.

Kal Penn (who is best known for his lead role in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and most recently, Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj) heads the ensemble cast that includes a mix of unknowns (Jayma Mays, Adam Campbell), established comedic performers (Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge, Darrell Hammond) and random celebrities (Carmen Electra).

Epic Movie starts with a weak parody of Tim Burton’s version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a creepy Crispin Glover (best known as George McFly from the Back to the Future films) playing himself in white makeup and what seems like a Willy Wonka Halloween costume. It then launches into a cringe-worthy bit where Oompa Loompa’s rap.

An epic problem with the film is the fact that it relies on stale material, from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was released in 2005, a Paris Hilton gag where a poor soul falls on and crushes the heiress and her dog and most notably, its five minute take on Ashton Kutcher’s hidden-camera show Punk’d, which premiered in 2003.

The few bright spots in Epic Movie include goofs of much more recent films like this past summer’s The DaVinci Code and Snakes On A Plane (which is strangely less absurd than the actual version).

Fred Willard is also entertaining as the lion from Chronicles Of Narnia. When someone goes to see a film like this, they are more than likely expecting a dose of “dumb” humor, but this film abuses even that privilege times twenty.

GRADE: C+