This year I decided to start a 31 Days of Horror movie marathon. By this I mean, I will watch a horror film every day; some of which will be my choosing while others will be selected randomly. I tried this last year with a 25 Days of Christmas marathon, but that failed miserably. So, I thought I'd give it a shot with something I actually enjoy!
Let the fun begin!
When there is a desolate cabin, Bruce Campbell, and the Necronomicon you know all hell is about to break loose.
Director: Sam Raimi
Writer: Sam Raimi
Based On: The Short film Within the Woods written and directed by Sam Raimi
Released: October 15, 1981
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, Bob Dorian, Sam Raimi
Plot: Five friends take a trip to a desolate cabin where they accidently awaken a force of flesh-possessing demons.
“Soon all of you will be like me. And then who will lock you up in a cellar?”
Remember that one time when we all went up to that one cabin and released all those demons that tried and, for the most part, succeeded in killing us? That wasn’t you? Well, you should have been there! Good times.
The Evil Dead is one of my favorite movies of all time. Not because of its technical aspects but because of how it defined the horror genre. This film created a whole new realm that consisted of blood, guts, demons, and an all-out laugh riot. A place in which horror can be made into something that is terrifying and humorous all at the same time. Some people may argue that this was not the directors motive and yadda, yadda, blah, dippity, do. But to be honest, I’m sure the director thought: “Wouldn’t it be funny if . . .” Why? Because why not?
The story follows a group of five friends who travel to a desolate cabin in the woods for no apparent reason. While there they accidently release a terrifying force of flesh-possessing, blood sucking, demons with the Necronomicon (or the Naturom Demonto: Book of the Dead). It is a pretty standard plot of today but the way Raimi portrayed it then was revolutionary. He went into this film head on and took us on a fantastic journey.
Many people (especially this generation) expect the movie to be nothing more than a cheesy 80’s train wreck that’s only good for a cheap laugh with friends. Come on! You really should make new friends. If you sit and watch the movie for what it is and not for what you expect it to be then maybe you can fall into the world painted by Sam Raimi and his crew; you may just be able to feel the terror of the Necronomicon.
The dark and eerie tone is shown throughout the film; particularly in scenes that contain Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss). After becoming possessed and locked in a cellar, she plagues the group incessantly. The movie doesn’t focus on Cheryl but the way they utilized her character was terrifying. She is a demon with otherworldly powers and she is trapped in a cellar? I don’t know about you but I know for a fact that she can break free at any given moment but she doesn’t—which is chilling and a constant weight on the mind. The characters were led into a false sense of security, as if they had power over the demon. Why would it do this? Because even demons need to have a little fun, don’t they? Instead of outright destroying them she gets into their head by switching back to her original body or reciting songs that they heard as children. A sadist at work; it does these things to torture them. And, well, it works. Just thinking about it gives me the chills. I’ll just stick to my Goosebumps books. “Say cheese and die.”
As far as acting goes, frankly, it isn’t very good. It’s overdramatic, cheesy, unrealistic (much like the script) and humorous at best. But these things make the film what it is: completely enjoyable. The cast consists of nothing more than B-List actors that the director most likely met from a friend or a friend of a friend. There isn’t anything that sticks out about them; nothing special or any award winners. And that’s exactly what they needed for this film. The movie itself is both cheesy and overdramatic so shouldn’t the character follow suit? Honestly, the over-the-top nature makes this film a much more entertaining experience. When you see something horrid happen to these people you can’t help but laugh—if not out loud at least to yourself. The lack of emotional attachment becomes an advantage for the film; enabling the cruel hands of death inert. The only thing you may not like is that that the entire scenario happened by accident. If there is a lesson to be learned from this film it’s simply this: DO NOT play with other people’s things.
The camera work in the film seems to be rather amateurish—which would make sense since this is one of Raimi’s first films. Many of the dialogue shots were one sided; two people would be talking but we would only see one of the characters which felt odd. However, the amateurish cinematography (much like the acting) lent itself to the film quite well. It adds this gritty, gory, horror-y tone to the movie. And, yes, the focus on the ridiculous facial expressions portrayed by the cast may become a little overbearing and hilarious but it’s so bad it’s good. Perhaps this film is shot terribly but it works. It added that extra umph! Just what it needed to succeed as a horror/comedy.
The film may make you change your pants but it will introduce you to one of the greatest horror icons to ever grace the screen: Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell). Ash is a complete badass who isn’t afraid of those damn demons. Good looks, quirky catch phrases, and all the bad assery a man could wish for. “Good. Bad. I’m the guy with the gun,” (Army of Darkness). It is a beautiful thing when a movie succeeds in creating such an icon, a symbol that is known by people of all walks of life. To this day we continue to see an ever-growing fan base for Bruce’s character. Although his ability to act is far from great, there is just something about him that draws you in and makes you want more—something that leaves you inspired. He is a true icon of the horror genre.
If it sounds like I’ve been doing nothing but praising this film: It’s because I am.
I never wanted to get to this. But with every good comes a bad . . . are you ready for the bad part? It was too short. Oh, okay, and there is a lot of room for story development, especially with the Necronomicon. Well, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Remind me to never say anything bad about Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead again.
This movie not only redefined horror but gore as well. There isn’t some occasional smattering of blood in this movie, no, there are buckets of blood—an amount so repulsive that you’ll start to question your own body. And don’t forget the guts. The Evil Dead was something new, edgy, and downright hilarious. It makes me wonder: What were they thinking?
Oh, you’re still here? Great! Then let’s wrap this up.
I highly recommend this film to anyone and everyone. Buy it, rent it, be a criminal whatever you do be prepared to sit and bask in all that is blood, guts, laughter, and Bruce Campbell.
5/5 Tonies (Completely Biased)
Written by Anthony Centeno
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