The Evil Dead Films Series Review -
Let’s be honest, anyone who knows me is aware of my obsession with Evil Dead, and today I’m reviewing the franchise’s original film trilogy, remake and series.
Created by Sam Raimi, originating from a 1978 short, Within the Woods, to the present day show on Starz, there are three horror cult classics, of the most beloved and praised in their genre.
The definitive cabin-in-the-woods story deals with the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, or Book of the Dead, which when read summons dormant demons, among many other problems. Nobody would willingly ever read this thing right… right? Wrong.
Curiosity killed anything but the cat.
The most notable sucker is protagonist Ashley J. “Ash” Williams, forever portrayed by the iconic Bruce Campbell, since the early days of 1981’s The Evil Dead. Along with acting, he, Raimi and producer Rob Tapert have helped work on each project.
The franchise has also expanded into several games, comic books and even a musical. What started out as a relaxing vacation for college friends and family, quickly took a turn for the worse.
The Evil Dead easily wins as most campy, and perhaps the most terrifying, despite unintentional humor. Earning an NC-17 and controversy for gruesome as well as disturbing scenes, it overcame these issues as time went on, becoming very successful and well-received.
I first saw it at way too young of an age, as that impression never left. Keeping the rating and spirit of the first, 1987’s Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn is a horror comedy, parody sequel, and remake all in one.
It essentially reimagines the former in 10 minutes, then picks up right where it ended. As my favorite in the franchise, the use splatstick humor and over-the-top blood spray is in full effect.
This is where Ash is truly born, with the unique combo of chainsaw-arm and sawed-off shotgun, a.k.a. "my boomstick!"
The next direct follow up took us back in time, as 1992’s Army of Darkness takes place in the Middle Ages, where Ash is forced to battle the deadites so he can get back home. With the most badass, one-liner delivering version of Ash to date, despite being labeled as a horror comedy, it’s really all action and laughs. Music by Danny Elfman and Joseph LoDuca really shines here, as the trilogy maintained a steady following for two decades.
Resurrected in 2013’s remake, Evil Dead, director Fede Alvarez was trusted to take the reigns. It was a difficult task without having an Ash character or Bruce Campbell making an appearance. Or does he?
But overall it is a respectable, loose continuation vision. As a tribute to the originals, it took the tone back to grim and grisly horror, and is a visual treat with terrific ram-o-cam style shots.
Look for a blue-ray extended cut near Halloween. After rumors of crossover films with Ash and Mia were put aside, the most amazing news became reality with 2015’s Ash vs Evil Dead.
As a sequel to the original trilogy set about 30 years later, the 10-episode series is a love-letter to fans, and an exciting, fully uncut format to watch. With a fantastic supporting cast and dedicated creators, season two is sure to make even more hail to the king.
Evil Dead is a ridiculously awesome horror story, and it’s a groovy, good time.
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