According to the making-of documentary, they were legitimately trying to make a serious movie... but pretty much everyone involved was crazy about this is what came about. If they had set out to make a parody or whatever, then id agree... but I also dont think it'd be as good if they meant for it to be the way it was. I think the fact that everyone was trying to make a serious horror flick is part of the charm. It couldn't have come together any other way!