EVIL DEAD – The Review

Well, we all knew this would happen sometime. When the SAW flicks opened big, the studios made a mad scramble to tap into the new fright flick fans. They chose not to dig deep into their vaults to resurrect Dracula, Frankenstein, and the old Universal crew. Nope, not the thirties, but how about a new spin on the splatter epics of the late seventies or early eighties (stuff that was still on the shelves at the video stores). There have been recent remakes and reboots of Jason, Freddy, Michael and a few others (usually without the participation of the creators). That’s why most folks were surprised that producer Rob Tapert, director/screenwriter Sam Raimi, and “Ash” himself, Bruce Campbell decided that the time was right for a remake (most film folk prefer “re-imagining”) of their 1981 cult classic THE EVIL DEAD. It’s been stated that they wanted to tell the story with a proper feature budget and more professional actors. But after two feature sequels, several video games, and comic book follow-ups, does that familiar tale of horror still pack a punch? And, for Tristar, can this version grab all the movie goers who weren’t yet born when the original made a big splash (a thick, red color splash)?

The new rendition drops us right into a nightmare. An innocent is lost to a very foul-mouthed nasty demon. After the blood-red opening title, we’re in the modern-day outside a beaten-down shack deep in the backwoods. David (Shiloh Fernandez), with new girlfriend Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore) in tow, is reuniting with some old friends at his family’s run-down vacation cabin. But this is not just a fun weekend getaway. Surly teacher Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) and nurse Olivia (Jessica Lucas) are there for David’s troubled sister Mia (Jane Levy). The siblings had a falling out after the death of their mother. Eric and Olivia are determined to help end Mia’s drug addiction. They believe, with the help of her only family, that she can finally kick this deadly habit while far away from civilization (previous attempts in town did not take). While cleaning up the cabin, they discover that the place has a basement. Downstairs, hidden in the mess (lots of dead cats) Eric discovers a tome wrapped in tight barbed wire:  the human skin-covered Book of the Dead. As Mia suffers the agony of withdrawal, Eric opens up the book and…something happens. Soon the group is fighting unseen forces as a torrential downpour traps them inside this wooden prison far, far from help and hope.

While it is true that the veteran actors here are more confident than those from the 1981 original, their characters don’t really have the same impact. Most are merely there as demon fodder (particularly Ms. Blackmore, who is given little to do till her time in danger). I guess Fernandez is the closest to the “Ash” hero figure, but he’s not nearly as compelling as Levy (currently starring on ABC’s sitcom “Suburgatory”). She brings a great deal of energy and a dark, punk attitude to the damaged Mia long before she’s in full Regan MacNeill mode. From then on she’s engaged in constant gross-out sequences while verbally taunting her cabin-mates. To be honest, the almost non-stop abuse of these five bland characters quickly becomes…tiresome. Okay, another cutting scene, another assault with kitchen ware, and so on, making the film seem much longer than its 91 minute running time. First time feature director/screenwriter Fede Alvarez utilizes sound booms and loud bangs to ratchet up the tension as seen (or heard) in most of current horror thrillers. Fortunately he does retain a few elements from the original such as the look of the backwoods shack and the POV steady-cam charging through the forest at top speed. What’s sorely missing from the original trilogy is the giddy sense of humor (although, it’s hard not to think of last year’s delightful send-up, CABIN IN THE WOODS, while viewing this new flick). Hey, I’d put EVIL DEAD II on my short list of great horror comedies. The gore hounds and make-up fans (very little CGI here) should be very pleased, but long time DEAD-heads may wonder why this redo exists, besides using the beloved title to scoop up some box office. At least there’s a nice treat after the end credits that’ll bring a smile to true movie geeks everywhere. Just a shame the previous 90 minutes is not as entertaining.

2.5 Out of 5 Stars