Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Sam Raimi

Showing posts with label Sam Raimi. Show all posts

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.

Bruce Campbell (center, below) makes a post credits appearance in the film.

Cast

Jane Levy Elizabeth Blackmore Jessica Lucas

Mia Natalie Olivia

Shiloh Fernandez Lou Taylor Pucci

David Eric

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Oz The Great and Powerful - Review

Oz The Great and Powerful
(2013 - March 8)
Adventure | Family | Fantasy
2 hrs. 10 min.

Rated: PG-13
Grade: B+

Director: Sam Raimi
Writers: Mitchell Kapner (screenplay), David Lindsay-Abaire (screenplay), L. Frank Baum (novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz")

Stars: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz | See full cast and crew

Disney's fantastical adventure "Oz The Great and Powerful," directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well. When small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he must somehow transform himself into the great wizard-and just maybe into a better man as well. -- (C) Walt Disney

If you read my review of Jack The Giant Slayer you may recall that I said when I first saw the previews, I thought this film looks like it could be a great family film, a classic, and I was eager to see it but feared it was going to be a disappointment. My impression about Jack The Giant Slayer was right and I had the same impression about Oz the Great and Powerful, after seeing its trailers. I'm sorry to report that I was right about this film as well.

Oz the Great and Powerful falls short of the 1939 original in warmth, innocence, charm and most certainly in songs, however, it is most certainly a serviceable family film but when stacked up against a cinematic masterpiece like The Wizard of Oz serviceable simply isn't good enough. Taking on the monumental task of producing a prequel to and icon, one of the most beloved films of all time is indeed a very tall order. Oz the Great and Powerful seemed, for me, to take a long time to get going, but then in retrospect, so did The Wizard of Oz, so I guess that's not a fatal flaw.

I saw the 3D version and it was OK but director Sam Raimi, who directed not only the original Spiderman Trilogy but also the Evil Dead series, uses the 3D like he is still directing a horror film, with scare tactics like spears rain down into the audience.

And then there is one of my pet peeves, stupidity and continuity errors. While the tornado is whisking Oscar 'Oz' Diggs away from Kansas to the land of Oz, his hot air balloon basket is riddled with splintered 2 x 4s (a scary 3D effect where Oscar barely escapes being skewered, more horror movie 3D effects) but in the next scene the projectiles are all gone and there is no sign of the holes in the wicker basket...AARG! Although the subsequent scene of weightless is really quite effective. At any rate, I doubt that you will miss much if you choose to see the 2D version and you'll get to go home with a couple more bucks in your pocket.

Visually, I thought the Dr. Suess type Curly Q mountains and the innumerable waterfalls and natural arches of this latest incarnation of the land of Oz were just a bit too ludicrous and distracted from the mood. In fact, pretty much most of the CGI of Oz looked like just that...CGI, it is very reminiscent of the old painted backdrops from the sound stage era of the Hollywood studios that produced the original The Wizard of Oz.

I also had a bit of a problem with some of the performances. James Franco's (Oz) toothy grins worked very well for the 1905 carnival huckster buy got old very quickly once he arrived in Oz. It takes the entire film before you start to care anything about him. Mila Kunis (Theodora) seemed out of her element and plastic. Her eventual transition into her green makeup was awful, she looked silly rather than frightening. When you are portraying the younger version of Margaret Hamilton, an iconic character that everyone recognizes, the epitome of the scary witch, why change what isn't broken.

Same problem with Michelle Williams (Glinda), she had none of the charm, warmth or class or Billie Burke nor did she have Glinda the Good Witch's signature curly blonde hair, aside from the fact that her acting rang hollow and flat. At least Rachel Weisz (Evenora) is a clean slate so they could pretty much do whatever they wanted with her character.

Since there is no Lion, Scarecrow or Tin Man in this story the Wizard needs some companions to help him on his journey to destroy the wicked witch and fulfill the prophecy...enter Zach Braff (Finley) and Joey King (China Girl).

By way of puppetry and CGI images they are two of the better performances. Several of the small supporting roles were every bit as strong as the starring roles.

Up to this point I have been quite critical of the film but all of that said, it is a good film, a good family film and and entertaining film. It just doesn't measure up to the classic film it is supposed to be introducing. It is much better than the very forgettable Return to Oz (also from Disney) staring Fairuza Balk and Nicol Williamson.

Oz the Great and Powerful does get kudos for being profanity and sex free. In my opinion it is a bit too cerebral and perhaps a tiny bit too scary for the really small children.

If the Judy Garland classic had never been made you would most likely expect that this film would become a classic, but it will more likely become a soon forgotten footnote to the original.