When Sam Rami announced a re-make of his magnum opus “Evil Dead,” there were cheers and boos heard throughout the Horror Community. Hand picked by Rami himself, Director Fede Alvarez has created a wonderful new approach to the franchise Horror lovers will enjoy filled with plenty of gore and numerous nods to the franchise as well as his own unique storytelling ability that makes this his own.
The film (produced by Rami and star of the original “Evil Dead” movies Bruce Campbell) features a cast of unknowns and a female lead with a darker approach. The opening sequence also reveals a bit of the dark history that surrounds the cabin as well.
Throughout the movie there are a plethora of nods and references to the entire “Evil Dead” trilogy with plenty of red herrings thrown in, as well as bunch of new surprises added to the movie’s grisly nature. Fans of the franchise will love these nice little touches to death. Key scenes from the original film such as the “tree rape scene†are included with Alvarez’s twisted fishing touches. There is a huge amount of gore with plenty of gross-out moments sure to make viewers squirm, gasp, and jump in their seats.
Jane Levy (Mia) is possibly the best thing about this movie. She may as well have been the female Ash. Her acting is organic, yet familiar and she is as badass as they come. Her transformation throughout the film makes the audience believe in her character and root for her as she overcomes the mysterious “Evil Dead.” Levy takes no prisoners and relishes in the blood and gore the screen becomes covered with as she slays the deadites.
But what about the terror?
The Evil Dead re-make has a grand amount of terror, discomfort and suspense involved that will give even the boldest of horror enthusiasts a reason to scream. It certainly lives up to the hype and hope of the fans, Rami, and the almighty Bruce Campbell himself. The story is again, fresh yet familiar and delivers the fear, claustrophobia and nostalgia of the original along with Alvarez’ new twists and surprises that add to the scare factor of the feature.
Overall, Alvarez’s “Evil Dead” works on a number of levels. Even the most die-hard fans of the cult classic trilogy will be pleased with all of the care and incentives that reference the franchise. Scenes fans look for are re-enacted nicely and are touched with the directors interesting stamps to them without ruining the integrity of the original ones. Alvarez has found a way to not only re-make a movie without ruining a franchise but create his own masterpiece that was nurtured with love and guts from the original star and director of the movie Alvarez has clearly been a fan of for a long time.
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