Evil Dead: El despertar

Evil dead 2013 absolutely shocked me to the core when I saw it opening day in theaters. I wasn't a huge fan of the original 2, but that one struck me to where I watched it multiple times in the theater. Needless to say I was very intrigued at what this decade later film could offer. Luckily I was able to attend an advanced screening in my city.

The gruesome brutality is clearly what people flock to see in this franchise. Maybe somewhat of the wacky dark comedy a bit as well. This film takes a classic franchise and tries to brand it to the younger generation and it can be to a fault somewhat . At times it meanders within the rather plain story that we've seen in other possession films. All the while still providing shocking and disgusting sequences.

A great blend of CGI and practical effects still being utilized really holds the film up imo. The SFX work is also top notch . Unfortunately I cannot say that I enjoyed the cast and the way their characters are written. Sometimes it felt like more of a Netflix horror film based on the mediocre acting as well as the cliche writing. There are some moments that I cannot believe we're even put in an evil dead film . This is where a few times I was displeased. I get trying to relate to a newer generation but it was overkill.

Overall this film brings the blood and the scares and at the end of the day that's what people are there to see. I just can't help but think it's a dramatic downturn in quality from the 2013 film. If you're a fan of the franchise it's definitely a must see but I think there will be some mixed reactions.

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!)

Wow, what an insane movie! In fact, I think it was a little better than Evil Dead (2013).

First of all, I thought the story idea was excellently written. Once it makes you realize what kind of situation it is, it adds a lot more fun than you'd think. The plot worked much better and was more fun than Evil Dead (2013).

The opening scene was decent, with possibly one of the greatest movie title cards in modern horror days. It started well, but later it just got more and more insane. The cast of not-so-well-known actors was really great, with performances that felt like real people who became possessed. Alyssa Sutherland, who played the lead role, absolutely killed it; she was terrifying. I also really liked the night and rainy vibe, which added to the atmosphere. The kills were very fun and gory, exactly what I expected from a movie like this. The special effects were incredible. Although nothing beats the ending of Evil Dead (2013), I thought the ending was decent and cleared up all loose ends. It also added some comedy elements that reminded me of Evil Dead II.

Overall, I was honestly entertained by this movie, which made me feel tense and impressed. I thought it was a very well-done horror movie.

How would I compare this movie to Evil Dead (2013)? I think Evil Dead (2013) was more brutal and gory, with lots of blood, while Evil Dead Rise was more insane and creepy, with a better plot.

For those who have never watched any movies in the franchise, note that you absolutely don't need to watch any of the other movies to understand and enjoy this one.

Groovy!

I really liked Evil Dead 1 and the 2013 version. The acts/sections were good, overall they were solid, and had scary moments especially the 2013 one. I was expecting this to be the same level or near it, but it was not. It's okay on its own, but just break-even compared to the films in the franchise I watched.

Maybe I just expected much. Some of the kills/gore were good but it isn't really a big criteria to films that aren't slashers, and to me personally. Some of the acting were wanting, too, and the main characters weren't presented in a way where you'll really root for them. The kid was cute and I wanted the lead to survive because of her baby but there was just something missing with these characters. I think I cared for the neighbors more, actually.

The setting also was kinda weird. Cabins and the woods just match seamlessly with these types of stories. How and where they discovered the book and recordings were questionable, too, but that was something a viewer can let slide. Like the other reviewers here, there was just something missing for me, or maybe it was just insufficient in a lot of areas.

It's not bad. It may even be good for someone whose first film in the franchise is this. It was just pulled down by high expectations.

After all the hype, the rave reviews, the revealing trailers, and the silly reaction videos (God, how I hate those), Evil Dead Rise turns out to be exactly what I expected: a serviceable sequel, nothing more, nothing less. Like the remake before it, it delivers on the gore, but is lacking in originality and likeable characters.

The film takes place in a rundown apartment building, home to single mother Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and her three obnoxious brats, Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), Danny (Morgan Davies) and Kassie (Nell Fisher). After an earthquake hits the area, Danny discovers a secret vault below the building's underground car park where he finds an ancient book and three old records. Playing the discs unleashes an ancient evil that possesses his mother and spreads to other people in the building. On hand to protect the kids and fight the evil is Ellie's sister Beth (Lily Sullivan).

Writer/director Lee Cronin conducts matters in a workmanlike manner, ladling on the blood and slime, killing off characters that might reasonably be expected to survive many a horror movie, and throwing in a few nods to the original movies to appease long-time fans of all things Evil Dead (I particularly enjoyed the EDII flying eyeball scene); unfortunately, the film wastes its promising locale by confining most of the action to one apartment and doesn't generate much in the way of atmosphere or genuine scares (I didn't jump once).

What the film sorely needed was more imagination and creativity (in both story and direction), and characters that I could actually care about -- exactly the qualities that still make the original film the best of the franchise.

5.5/10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb.