enjoiskaterguy

In his full length feature directorial debut Fede Alverez, this film Evil Dead starring Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, and Elizabeth Blackmore, was the film that Sam Raimi set out to originally make. And this remake came out swinging. And this remake came out swinging. Produced and given the blessing by the creators of the original trilogy, Bruce Campbell, Rob Tapert, and man himself, Sam Raimi, this remake was indeed on the road to success.

The story stays relatively consistent to the original. A group of friends go up to a cabin, discover an evil book, and evil is awoken, only to reek havoc on the souls on the young bunch. But what separates this movie from the original is that this isn't a generic cabin in the woods, college party turned wrong movie. Many claim this movie lacks depth but what they fail to realize is that this is a remake of one of the first cabin-in-the-woods horror films. The main character Mia, played by the amazingly talented Jane Levy embarks on this trip to finally rid herself of heroin addiction and is accompanied by her brother and close friends to beat it once and for all. Might this 'Evil Dead' just be a metaphor for Mia's never-ending quench for Opiates? This level of depth was a welcomed addition to the remake and adds character development as the story progresses. As Fede Alverez first film the movie acts decently balanced. It keeps consistent with the story, plot holes are filled, the pace is okay, and the dialog is decent but nothing special.

The acting was, in comparison to the original, more evolved and surely fulfilled the expectations set by A-class movies. Jan Levy, the star of this film, dominates her dialog, executing line after line with sheer fright and is convincing the whole way through. I consider the move to have a female lead an absolute spark of genius . Audiences want more Female leads who can command the screen. Actresses like Sigourney Weaver in Aliens, Carrie Fisher in Star Wars and Linda Hamilton of Terminator 2. And Levy blew it out of the water. Veteran actress Jessica Lucas was also quite good. Although she didn't get the same amount of screen time as Jane Levy, she is just as good and is a welcomed addition to the Ladies of the Evil Dead. The third female character Natalie, played by Elizabeth Blackmore is mainly pure cannon-fodder. Her only purpose in this film is to be subject to the evil that lurks within the woods. I have a feeling that she was wrote in latter in the script merely to spread the carnage out throughout the actors. She does do well in some parts later on in the film, but overall she wasn't a very interesting or developed character. This is what holds the movie from achieving success. The audience needs to care about the characters and this only fueled the fire of making an unreliable film. The boys in the film aren't that much better. The brother of Mia, played by Shiloh Fernandez had his head so far up his rear-end that he couldn't focus on the acting. I think the idea that he was playing a major role in a big production film got the best of him and instead of taking charge and really understanding his role, he focused more on what his hair looked like before every shot. The last of the main characters, Eric acted by Lou Taylor Pucci only barely shines. His delivery is okay, he seems believable but the lack of screen time and character development just pronounces him as target practice for the deadites early on.

What shines in this remake is the fact that the Director and producers wanted to make it clear that NO CGI was used in this film. This is something everyone should have known going in to see this film because most people just assume everything is CGI today. "Computers did not dare try to recreate the horror that your eyes will see" should have been their tag line. On the Evil Dead's IMDb crew page, there is no listing for animators, 3d modelers, or 3d texture artists, but there are about a dozen "visual effects artist" which is quite ambiguous, but i will take the word of director Fede Alverez and original creator Bruce Campbell that there was none...Rob Tapert has hinted though that this is not entirely true during a screening of the film back in March(probably referring to the beginning scene). The film's attempt to create the "Most terrifying film you will ever see" will intrigue most, and when you understand that all the shots are essentially done with practical effects and a reported 100,000 gallons of fake blood was used to recreate this movie., the scenes then seem that much more gross and indeed terrifying.

What is also worth mentioning is the directors style. The cinematography and camera work itch closely to that of Sam Raimi but with a less jerky roller-coaster ride. The lighting, atmosphere, and color palette is quite something. Alverez shows that he is in it to win it. The film also has quite the number of nods to the original and films like the Exorcist. It acts very much like a throwback.

It ends with a revving climax, resulting in activating the gag reflexes in the audience and screams of joy from fans of the series. I have learned that if you go into a theater or watch a movie with a certain expectations then you will be most disappointed. But if you take it for what it is then your outcome will be that much more rewarding. This remake stands on its own as not only a successful addition to the series, but a decent remake worthy of recognition.

...and remember to stay till after the credits for a special treat.

I went into this film with open arms and with no expectations. This film pays homage to some of the greats...Evil Dead, Night of the Living Dead and many others. The tongue and cheek comedy, the over-the-top gore, and the sturdy acting make this at its worst a fun film to watch.

When comparing this film with the other REC films, one can quickly become thrown off and feel rigged of seeing another rehashed 3rd installment, but the Director didn't do that--he did something much braver--he went on and developed a film with a different tone, built onto the history of the outbreak and even invented his own set of zombie rules. This was a leap off faith for the director and his team. And to me this was nothing but net.

If you're expecting to see the same movie as REC 1 and 2 then this movie isn't for you. But if you want to see a fun, gore-fest ridden with superb special effects then you will have a blast.

Speaking of special effects, I have to give a shout out to the make up artists who worked on this film. Not only were the make up effects amazingly realistic, but they were also creative and scary. The make up work is even up their with The Walking Dead and even some of the other newer blockbuster Zombie flicks. Also, worthy to mention is that there was hardly any usage of CGI throughout this flick, which to me is a great plus when making a zombie movie. Most of the blood in the movie is actually there and not digitally put in later, which is a big plus in my book.

The acting was great and I thought the characters were various and balanced. My favorite character was Sponge-John who was a Sponge-Bob look-a-like entertainment performer for parties and weddings--so funny. The character development was great. You get a background of how the outbreak affected the wedding guests but still left us with questions as to how exactly it began. The husband and wife were a great duet, both believable yet also at times understandably insane. The addition of the romance element was also a breath of fresh air and quite affective as well, bringing the audience closer to the characters, and even as much as wanting to root for the couple to hopefully make it out alive.

The setting for this movie is a refreshing take on the zombie motif. Having it set during a wedding is quite clever and intriguing as well. I mean, how many horror movies take place during a wedding? It's great! I would have liked the movie to branch out a little to other locations, but I think the director was keeping in spirits with his other two previous installments and wanted to create a very claustrophobic atmosphere to bring tension to the audience.

As an avid movie enthusiasts and a hardcore zombie film lover, I am going to have to say that this film has a lot more positive aspects to it than negative. The appeal and intrigue of this movie comes not merely from one aspect of the film, but from a very well thought out and balanced execution from all departments.

Haters will hate because of their longing desire for a succinct and concise pattern that feeds on their insecurities for familiarity, but if you sincerely enjoy experiencing movies and aren't always having high expectations you will find that you will like more about this movie than dislike.

I give this movie 9/10.

This film not only sets itself apart from typical lines of thought, it challenges the viewer to view life in a totally new lens.

The success of this movie is not itself in the characters or the story but the underlying message of challenging conventionalism, spontaneity,freedom and the idea that we must make the best of the time we have on this planet and savor all the beauty around us.

The film hits home because of it's effective usage of witty dialogue, interesting dichotomies, and it's thick, yet subtle suggestions about morale subjectivity.

Amist the sexual revolution, as the film does mention, the film directly takes aim at social conservative values and pierces the foundation of what love 'ought to be'. This was very appropriate for the times, as a huge generational shift in consciousness became very powerful among the youth in the late 1960s and into the 1970s--most notably through the hippie and "free-love" movements.

The soundtrack is just amazing and follows the movie to a "T". Cat Stevens dominates with a message so simple, yet so necessary for a culture filled with war and death during the Vietnam War.

"Well if you want to sing out, sing out. And if you want to be free be free. - Cat Stevens.

The film's entire premise can be added up through a very simple set of dialogue in the film in which a police officer pulls over Maude and asks for her license...."I don't have one, I don't believes in them." she replies. This film was given to us as message to challenge our own thinking patterns -- to think outside the box for lack of a better phrase. That seems so cliché but it is so true. It pushes the boundaries of what is and isn't socially acceptable.

It impacted not just my senses and exterior but I had a dramatic realization about freedom, love and personal perception that I really don't know much...like all of us. We all really don't know why or the what of our existence. The more I learn, the less I know as the famous saying goes.

I highly recommend this piece of artwork--because that is exactly what it is. This is a masterpiece in film-making where the director has effectively touched the viewer-ship. Thats what it's all about. This film is a truly beautiful work that will stand the tests of time and be a constant reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and of the importance of true love.

10/10