There are definitely things in this world that cannot be explained. One of the great mysteries of the universe has got to be why the masses keep shelling out hard-earned dollars (with gas prices skyrocketing and taxes just due) for sub-par Hollywood sequel trash. The most recent bit of frivolity is the fourth installment of the "Scary Movie" franchise.

As those who saw the original in the theatre can attest, the idea was (and still could be) wonderful. Take scary movies, pop culture and politics and spoof them to the nth degree. Saturday Night Live has been doing it for years, right?

In this installment, director David Zucker and writer Jim Abrahams begin by knocking one of the only genuinely well-done recent horror films, "Saw." Dr. Phil McGraw and Shaquille O’Neal wake up chained to pipes in a dilapidated bathroom, are informed by a villainous clown that they have been inhaling nerve toxins and the only way that they can get the antidote if is Shaq can make a basket with a giant boulder. Sort of funny.

From this point, the two main films that are spoofed are last year’s snorefest "The Grudge" and the blockbuster "War of the Worlds." The parodies, which intertwine with each other, include the return of series veteran Anna Faris. This time she takes on the role of Cindy Campbell (Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character in "The Grudge"). Campbell is, for those who didn’t see the real movie, taking care of an elderly woman in a haunted house.

Right next door Craig Bierko makes fun of the Tom Ryan (originally played by Tom Cruise) character from "War of the Worlds." Ryan, once again for those who didn’t see the original, is a divorcee trying to bond with his kids as well as save them from hordes of invading aliens.

Other recent films that are raked over the coals are "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Village". The latter isn’t even worth describing, but the spoof of Ang Lee’s film is wickedly funny (although overdone) and features two black cowboys in a tent singing a duet of Lionel Richie’s "Hello," while smearing petroleum jelly on their bodies and donning rubber gloves.

Anyway, the storylines blend together with Campbell and Ryan trying to save the world. Along the way, Leslie Neilson appears and actually does an impressive job in his portrayal of President George W. Bush. Pop culture references (including Chingy, Fabolous and Lil Jon) are injected to appeal to the hordes of youngsters who make up the majority of the audience.

For those that remember, the original "Scary Movie" was edgy and daring. The success of the first and subsequent sequels (up until the third installment) definitely had something to do with the creative forces behind it, which included Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The lack of the duo’s talent is certainly evident in "Scary Movie 4."

It also seems that these sequels are getting progressively tamer. In a blatant attempt to market to younger audiences and obtain a PG 13 rating, the last two of these films have abandoned the no-holds-barred approach of the original and adopted a more politically correct method of humor.

I went into the theatre with very low expectations and this movie met every single one of them. Even though there are a few bright spots and entertaining moments, there is a complete balance of dull and poorly executed stunts that detract from whatever positive elements there are.

Because this movie is the very definition of "average," there is probably no end to the amount of sequels that will continue to be made. "Scary Movie 32?" Probably.