Evil Dead
Starring: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez,Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Luca, Elizabeth Blackmore
Director: Fede Alvarez
Five friends gather at a remote cabin in the woods, when one of them recites and incantation in the book of the dead possession and terror ensue.
The Evil Dead is the epitome of a horror classic, it’s an inspiration to so many horror fans and filmmakers, it truly is one of the most influential horror films of all time. Launching the careers of both Sam Raimi and chisel chinned Bruce Campbell. The film and story are so good that this reboot is the fourth film in the series. The first the Evil Dead, followed up by Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn which is essentially a slightly higher budgeted remake of the first Evil Dead. There is Army of Darkness the third to be directed by Raimi and Now the reboot which Raimi has produced which is based off the original so for those taking count, this is a series of four films and three of them are essentially the same film. That is how awesome the Evil Dead is, people clamor for it even though they know the story.
Director Fede Alvarez was handpicked by Raimi after he saw his short film Panic Attack! One should not question Raimi’s judgment, when it comes to this franchise. Alvarez who also co wrote the script creates the best version yet. While it will never share the same place in my heart as the original he is able to take a tried and true formula and add enough of a twist to make the film feel fresh. While the premise is the same and there are some nods and winks to the original this is a true reboot.
Mila has a bit of a drug problem her friends and her estranged brother David (Shiloh Fernandez who looks like he could be the spawn of Elijah Wood and Brian Austin Green) have gathered to watch over her while she tries to quit cold turkey. The weather is miserable the cabins a dump, the tone is eerily set. With nothing but time on their hands and a stench in the air David and teacher Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) explore the basement, comming across the book of the dead aka the Necronomicon in Evil Dead lore. Eric makes the tried and true mistake of reading from the book unleashing holy hell upon the group. Gore is plenty in Alvarez version and while things seem familiar infected hands, chainsaws, there is enough variance to the story to make it feel new and unpredictable.
Evil Dead is easily the best Horror film this decade and if this is any indication of Alvarez’s talent then Raimi better watch his Ass.
A crowd pleasing blood bath, which terrifies while staying true to the source material.
Grade – 89
