Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Evil Dead

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Evil Dead - Review

Evil Dead
(2013 - April 5)
Horror
1 hr. 31 min.

Rated: R Strong bloody violence and gore, some sexual content and language. Common Sense Media says iffy for 17+. More on child suitability
Graded: B+

Director: Fede Alvarez
Writers: Fede Alvarez (screenplay), Diablo Cody (screenplay), Rodo Sayagues (screenplay)
Stars: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas | See full cast and crew

Five friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods. The evil presence possesses them until only one is left to fight for survival. Evil Dead is a remake of Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead, the 1981 horror classic, starring Bruce Campbell, both of whom are producers of this film.

It's been about 32 years since The Evil Dead (the Sam Rami original) was first released in October of 1981. The film was not widly released and not an instant hit but built up a cult following over time on it's way to becoming a Horror Cult Classic and the anchor of a franchise which included The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987) and Army Of Darkness (1992).

I remember seeing it on it's opening night, and it was quite memorable, it was a cut above most of the other horror films that Hollywood tends to churn out with regularity. This remake is not perfect but then again neither was the original. I had heard that it was filmed on a budget of about $16,000 and eventually earned $2.4 million in the domestic market (worldwide figures are not available), that's a pretty good return on your investment by any standards.

This is not an exact remake, frame by frame, scene by scene, although there are many elements from the original, but there are also plenty of diversions. Remaking The Evil Dead was a touchy proposition, the project was being developed just as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man legacy was being rebooted. When it was announced that Diablo Cody would co-author the screenplay, fans of The Evil Dead franchise were divided over excitement and disappointment, even though Diablo Cody's, Jennifer's Body, will one day earn its status as a cult classic. The was further concern over the change to an addled female protagonist, played by Jane Levy that replaces the role of Ash (Ashley J. Williams), the protagonist originated by Bruce Campbell, who is the pivital character and hero of the franchise. Rami and Campbell also chose a new director for the remake, Uruguayan, Fede Alvarez was picked to direct after his short Panic Attack! became a viral sensation.

Evil Dead is certainly not for everyone, most definitely not for children. Even if you are a fan of the original you might be disappointed by the changes in this new adaptation but then again you may find them as an improvement. I think both films work and you don't have to know the original to enjoy the remake.

The performances are adequate, nothing stellar but neither are they stunningly bad. The violence and carnage are intense and graphic but not the gratuitous sort as you would experience in Saw, or Texas Chainsaw Masacre and, as per the Hollywood norm, there is plenty of strong language most of which they could have easily done without.

Production values are far superior and they were able to do things Sam Rami in 1981 could only dream of but had no way of bringing those dreams to the screen. Below are the trailers from both versions as they were shown at a promotional tour with Bruce Campbell, Jane Levy and Fede Alvarez.

At work behind the scenes with Fede Alvarez.