Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Evil Dead (2013) - Movie Review


This new version of Sam Raimi's classic "Evil Dead" horror movie has been touted as the "scariest movie ever made" and even the poster says its the "most terrifying film" so it better be able to match the hype and live up to such lofty expectations. Director Fede Alvarez not only takes on the challenge of filling Raimi's chair, but is also credited with writing the remake as well.


Classic horror movie scenario: Five young friends arrive at an aged and rotting cabin in the woods completely unaware of a past that has literally haunted the old building for decades. This time around the group is here to help one member go cold turkey from a drug habit that has haunted her mind and body for years.


While Mia (Jane Levy) wrestles with her personal demons, neither her or her friends are prepared for the real demons that are awoken after they discover and read from an ancient book that is filled with transcribed warnings and incantations all written in blood. What happens next is a blood filled frightfest that could end up causing a long trapped evil power to enter Earth and cause all kinds of crazy destruction that would be sure to lead to an endless series of movie sequels.


So, this is a shining example of why a movie should not come preloaded with buckets of high praise and lofty expectations. This type of marketing machination can cause one to have an overly high expectation of what they will experience after sitting down in the theater with that big bucket of popcorn. Evil Dead, while lots of fun and filled with more blood than any other movie ever made (so they say) is very far from being more than a mildly scary experience.


If you like limbs being chopped off, nails being shot into people's faces, and intestines spilling all over the place, then this is the movie for you. There is more than enough here to go around when it comes to gore and bloodshed, but as far as truly scary or intense moments, there really aren't any at all...unless the blood and gore is what scares you, of course. While I had fun watching the expectedly predictable story play out (this is a remake after all), I couldn't recall one time actually being scared or even mildly startled let alone terrified.


My best recommendation would be to go into seeing Evil Dead just ready to have a good time without expecting the type of experience the movie's bean counters are hoping they have convinced you to buy in to. If you've seen the original, you pretty much know what to expect although there were a few changes made to keep you guessing all the way to the end. As it compares to horror movies, I would say this one is above average but nothing that will keep you up at night.


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