Evil Dead Rise

I just saw the film in a preview screening in London which featured a Q&A from director Lee Cronin.

I had high hopes for this movie given it's current 8.1 rating on IMDb and 96% on rotten tomatoes (albeit with only 26 reviews), and especially because I actually really liked the 2013 remake (which was not the best received by fans and critics alike). I would say that generally, it didn't disappoint, but it certainly didn't smash it out of the park for me either.

The good:

• Gory, gory, gory. Wow. A gorefest, but somehow not overdone. It features a few massive gore moments that are memorable.

• Modern day special FX make Sam Raimi from the 1980s sad he was stuck with playdoh and experimental techniques. The characters all look damn scary.

• Acting was generally good. Nothing groundbreaking but Alyssa Campbell was fantastic (both when normal and, especially, when possessed

• Sufficiently different from the original Evil Dead that it felt fresh and wasn't boring.

• Considering all of the Evil Deads were in a cabin in the woods, this felt like a tough ask to feature the entire film in an apartment block. But the new world that was created was dark and gloomy, and certainly fit the bill.

The 'bad':

• It's not an earth shatteringly different movie to ones you may have seen, meaning it's not going to "blow you away". It very much sticks to its lane paying respect to the Evil Dead and even the remake in some parts.

• It is pretty predictable, which can be forgiven by the fact that it's more of a slasher than any psychologically disturbing film (I'd say the 2013 remake was more psychologically disturbing).

• You probably do need to see the original Evil Dead or at least the 2013 remake for a lot of things to make sense (such as how the characters can 'transfer' the demonic spirit), although it's not mandatory.

I think in many ways this reminds me of M3Gan - it's not trying to be a groundbreaking film and reinvent the wheel, it's just testing a moderately new spin on an old Horror trope that doesn't claim to be pretentious. It tries to be something a bit fresh yet familiar, and to that end it succeeds like M3Gan generally did. It's using a cult Horror classic in The Evil Dead (with its classic plot devices and iconic scenes) and reimagining it with a new location, new characters, and a sxxxload of modern day special FX, so it's never going to get the critical acclaim of the original nor get any brownie points for raw originality - and that's ok! What is lacking in originality or a riveting storyline is made up for in gore and in-your-face moments.

In the Q&A Cronin said that even if you didn't like the film, you certainly weren't bored. I would have to agree with that and say that this film definitely will not bore. It will make you squirm in your seat at some of the attacks/kills and it may make you laugh occasionally too. I'd give it a 7.5, which rounds up to an 8 on IMDb for me.

Over a week out from the proper release of this film, my guess is that it does very well. It will settle around a 7.1/7.2 on IMDb, and gross around $200m (and, in the process, gross out a few people!)

Good cast, fine movie. Juvenile, not scary, unnecessary for the horror movie adult. If your looking for a good bloody movie to watch with your pre teen it's probably perfect. The script is okay, the setting is fine, the lighting is dim. I'm not sure why this movie was made. The last evil dead remake was scary and true to the genre and the original story. I know this one isn't a remake, but then who asked for that again.

Just a note to leave you with, should be common knowledge to all of us by now, never read from the weird books bound in flesh, and never take the elevators after an earthquake.

**Mom gets possessed by demon**

**Entire family and room full of neighbors standing there watching**

**Spine contorts to impossible shape**

"Mom? You okay?"

**Crab-walks up the side of a wall and onto the ceiling**

"Mom? Is everything alright, Mom?"

**Projectile-vomits twenty gallons of blood**

"Are you okay, Mom?"

**Speaks ancient language in hideous demonic voice, eyes rolling around in their sockets**

"Mom, it's me. What's wrong, Mom?"

**Grabs shard of broken glass, proceeds to dig it into arms and face**

"Mom, listen. I hope you're okay. You're starting to worry me."

**"I WILL MASSACRE ALL OF YOU AND FEAST ON YOUR GUTS. NO ONE WILL SURVIVE THE NIGHT. YOU ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!"**

"Mom, are you feeling okay? It seems like something might be wrong."

**Bites through neighbor's jugular vein, cackles maniacally while covered in the arterial spray**

"Guys, I think something might be wrong with Mom. I don't know, she's acting weird. What should we do?"

Most horror-movies have a slow build-up. This movie does not. S*** hits the fan after about three minutes and does not stop hitting it. If your horror checklist consists of gore, disturbing images and creepy dialogue this would be a nice watch. It offers some real creative angles in these areas.

However, the fast pace comes with some issues. In many other horror movies, you are experiencing wonder. What is happening? What could be happening? Which character would I like to survive most? This movie skips this process entirely. Perhaps this is intentional, to create space to further work out some of the most violent, creepy and gross scenes I have ever seen.

Still, the lack of wonder is a big disappointment for the viewer. It does not feel like the protagonists have a way to survive, it is often questionable to what rules the demon is bound and the characters are making some weird choices (I would´ve done some window throwing). However, you dont care to much because of the gore spectacle that occurs in front of your eyes.

To summarize, I dont think this movie is for everyone. Even amongst horror enthusiasts, since it lacks some exploration and story. If a bunch of shocking scenes would be enough to entertain, however, you will definitely like it.

Decided to give this a rewatch tonight. Came away feeling very much the same as I did upon first viewing. The annoying young adult boy can't stop making poor choice after poor choice to get the events of the movie kicked off. I get that these movies almost always start out with these sorts of events, but it's very glaring in this film.

Unfortunately, it detracts from a wonderful performance from the mother, and some delightful blood and gore as the movie marches on to its climax. I also like that they changed the setting of this one to an urban area, which gives it a different look and feel. It's a mixed bag, to be sure.

It's probably the least impressive of the movies in the best horror franchise of all time.