Recent Reviews for Evil Dead 2
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MCT:November 21, 2008Ah yes numero dos! Funnier, Gorier, and goofier than the original. This movie is a blast of blood, guts, and soul swallowing deadites!!!
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MCT:November 18, 2008Bruce Campbell is awesome, and so is this movie. I liked this one more than the first because the first may have had a better story to it, but not only does this one work as a great horror movie, but it's also hilarious.
Oh, and the chainsaw-hand is awesome.
One of the bloodiest, most violent movie ever. Heads roll, gore piles up, zombies are hacked apart. Bruce just gets covered in blood. They had to change the color of some of the blood to avoid a higher rating.
But this remains one of my all-time favorite horror (& comedy) movies ever. -
MCT:November 11, 2008
''There's something out there. That... that witch in the cellar is only part of it. It lives... out in those woods, in the dark... something... something that's come back from the dead.''
The lone survivor of an onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits holds up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.
Bruce Campbell: Ash
Sam Raimi went too far for the good reasons. He created an unbelievable and unforgettable work that has served as inspiration for many movies in recent years. The movie is easily one of the most visually stunning Horror movies of all time, for sure. Die hard fans of gore get an eye candy for an hour and a half. Raimi created a cult movie in all the sense of the world. "Groovy!". Evil Dead 2 will never bore you because in every scene theres a dystinctive feeling of uncertainty and that makes it even more compelling. There are no rules here, only chaos.
The plot is as scary as you let it be, but it's held in such a way that it isn't taken too serious. I mean, apparently demonic possession caused by the Necronomicon is something that happens in the real world not in a seperate plane of existence. Not exactly with that particular book but it can happen supposedly via satanic books and certain rituals. Raimi takes it to a different level of humour mixed with drench loving gore.
Bruce Campbell deserves a special mention as usual. He delivers a wicked, solid, and totally believable performance, which overshadows his previous film. Something you haven't seen before mainly because of the strange situations he goes through. His performance could be described as a solo act. Easily hands down, one of the best performances of any actor in a Horror movie. Also, one of the characters that suffers the most in any movie! Ash is beaten up by demons, humans, objects, etc. Even possessed creatures taunt him.
''Got you, didn't I, you little sucker!''
The gore here is gloriously give in spades. You get decapitations, mutilated bodies, a hand cut off (Then Possessed), bleeding demons, etc. Blood spread all over the cabin is the common denominator. One of the goriest movies OUT THERE!.
Watch Evil Dead II to witness one of the most creative, brave, and goriest movies of all time. It delivers something for everyone. It has action, gore, spectacular camera angles, and some action! Check out Ash V.S. possessed Henrietta.
Phrases like "join us!", "swallow this!", and specially "groovy!" will become part of your daily vocabulary.
The film is more of a remake than a sequel, recapping the events of the first film, dropping three characters, and generally picking up somewhere in the middle. For example in the original Evil Dead Ash stumbles upon the Book of the Dead, and he does so again in this movie. Many events are totally re-filmed as if they never occurred. It's a rare beast of a sequel ? somewhere oddly in between continuation and smug self-parody.
I personally prefer the third Army Of Darkness if only because I find the horror funnier, a more epic film, and a bigger budget with wiser dialogue. Evil Dead II goes a bit too far in areas.
For Example: The dancing furniture is awful.
[Ash's Hand gains a life of it's own]
''Gimme back my hand... GIMME BACK MY HAND!
With Raimi apparently planning the three films to work directly as one continuous story, it could be quite easy for the second part to be completely at a loss to some if they haven't seen the first. To deal with this, Raimi felt the need to have a brief ten minutes at the beginning in which he explains the events of the previous film. Whilst this beginning is by no means as enjoyable as the rest of the film, it remains necessary and is a clever way of introducing newcomers to the situation at hand and poor Ash's position.
Raimi is part of what seems like an elite group of directors. Whilst some newcomers to that big chair behind the camera began working on television adverts, some of the most famous directors of the early twenty-first century began their careers making low budget films with unbelievable special effects and vast quantities of blood. Whilst Peter Jackson's earliest work includes the extreme Braindead(1992), Raimi began with this trilogy. It's quite tempting perhaps to compare and contrast just how much the directorial works of these two directors evolved. Both began with these wonderful films and eventually they both worked on huge blockbuster motion pictures (Raimi with the Spiderman films and Jackson obviously with the Lord Of The Rings trilogy). In a way it's worth wondering how the children who so adore the characters of those recent films might feel about Lionel from Braindead or Ash from this. They probably wouldn't understand.
However, no one can say this series lacks originality. Instead of presenting us with a banal representation of the original film, director Sam Raimi reunites with Campbell and creates a whole new beast, packed with excessive physical humour, self-parody, tongue-in-cheek humour, and what Campbell himself described as splatstick comedy. On top of that, Campbell is much better here than he was in the original.
Ash is still somewhat of a coward, but Campbell lends his character a great sense of irony here that if anything, only establishes Ash as one of cinema's most iconic characters.
Overall, Evil Dead II is a really fun ride, with a superior performance from Campbell. It may not be on the same level as the original in terms of horror or just general enjoyment, but it's still a blast. As Ash would say, ''Groovy, baby!''
''Let's head on down into that cellar and carve ourselves a witch.'' -
MCT:November 6, 2008
Evil Dead 2 is a weird film being that it re-makes the first film during the first 10 minutes of what I call the "Last Time On..." moment. I know people call the film a total remake, but it's a sequel ala Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, which you could also consider remakes of the original.
Bruce Campbell returns as Ash who ends up spending a second night in the Tennessee cabin from hell. This time the doctors daughter, an assistant, and two bumpkin locals show up and the hilarity ensues. yes, i said the hilarity ensues because Evil Dead 2 is more like a slapstick horror film that will give you more chuckles and the occasional scare thrown in. This is the film that made Bruce Campbell a star as he beats himself and hams his way into the vortex of hell.
Sam Raimi has a lot more to work with this time around as the special effects and camera work are more modern instead of the piecemeal work on the first film. Those shots that kids see in the Spider-man films started with this film as Raimi works his cabin throughout the small, confined space of the cabin.
Evil Dead 2 would have been called The Three Stooges Meets Night of the Living Dead Exorcists if Larry, Moe, and Curly had lived long enough. It's one of those movies that crosses genres and that's why it's developed the cult following it has. It's one of those rare sequels that equals it's original source material. -
MCT:October 30, 2008Nowhere as good as the first but much better than the third.
The further I got from the last time I saw this (like 12 years ago) the more I was convinced I didn't like it very much but I think it actually had alot more to do with the disappointingly stupid Army of Darkness. Rewatching part 2 has made me reappreciate how much silly and inventive fun it really is.
If only it was gorier than alot of multi-colored blood getting splashed around.
Oh well. -
MCT:October 30, 2008
100% Better then the original... the first secnes are a bit confusing... I think that the beginnign was just a remake of the first film? I quite liked this one, and had some memorable scenes and quotes for the movie history,, like Ash cutting off his possesd hand and replacing it with a chainsaw and not forgetting his line SWALLOW THIS. before firing his sawn-off double barreld shot gun.
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MCT:October 25, 2008
Ash: There's something out there. That... that witch in the cellar is only part of it. It lives... out in those woods, in the dark... something... something that's come back from the dead.
For a few years now, my October tradition has been to get a group of friends together and watch all three of the Evil Dead movies back to back to back. This is my favorite of the trilogy.
Ash: Groovy.
Say goodbye to continuity. Without the rights to use footage from the first, the sequel remakes the first one for the first 10 minutes and then becomes a whole new movie.
This sequel spends the second night that Ash must endure inside the mysterious cabin in the woods, with the evil lurking all around.
[Ash grabs a chainsaw and takes it to his hand]
Ash: That's right... who's laughing now... who's laughing now!
Director Sam Raimi returns with Campbell who is up to the challenge and shows that he is easily one of the best physical comedians/actors in the biz, throwing himself all over the place to keep the energy flowing along with the hilarious thrills.
Gore gets an increase, but it has now become a type I describe as "comic gore." It comes in all colors and from anywhere. Take that censors.
The horror is definitely dialed down and now Three Stooges humor is thrown into the mix. The pacing is still quick as well as the slick camera work still being in place. The movie is so much fun, it's ridiculous.
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?
The comedy and horror throughout all built up to an outrageous finale, and a hint at the epicness that will come from the final chapter.
Henrietta: I'll swallow your soul! I'll swallow your soul! I'll swallow your soul!
Ash: [Aims shotgun at Henrietta's face] Swallow this. -
MCT:October 24, 2008
Wholly entertaining and far more accurate than the first part,Raimi is aware we need a punch in the stomach..just for laughs and horrors.
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MCT:October 24, 2008The bad-ass sequel ever.Of course,part of the movie is a better version of the first,but keeps superior in the end.
END YES,THIS IS A SEQUEL!!! -
MCT:October 23, 2008
Seriously, I think Jon Favreau is trying to be Raimi, I mean, looking at this film, the gore is slightly more toned but yet, the humour and the outrageous charm of this film is far out. I mean, every set-up leads to a quotable memorable line and scenes that can drive you insane, this film is like standard classroom lesson on how to make a cult film 101. Funny and scary and goddamn fun.
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MCT:October 21, 2008I heard a lot about it, bought the videotape, and shit... it's probably the crapiest horror movie I've ever seen.
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MCT:October 10, 2008
A classic. Everything clicks, as Bruce Campbell becomes a B-Movie God and Raimi cements his status as a filmmaker to pay attention to. Funny, scary and always quotable.
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MCT:October 8, 2008What a silly movie!! I must admit they were a couple of good scenes. the make up artist for this movie did a great job. However, the movie kind of falls apart at the end. The dancing dead girlfriend scene was funny.
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MCT:October 8, 2008I don't know if the sequel is supposed to be a cult hit like the original, so I'm not really sure what to think about this one.
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MCT:October 1, 2008
you can call me what ya want but i love the first one more but still sam raimi and bruce campbell = genius and the whole bit with bruce and his own fighting hand come on greatness and then when ash gets his cainsaw hand....im sorry but thats a jack off moment and when you see freddy glove in the back round just like you saw the hills have eyes poster in the back round of the first... makes ya think.... sam raimi vs wes craven....waiting for that math of ash vs freddy would be kick ass.....but back to the film its great in every way the eye gag dan hicks screaming "BOBBY JOE!" its just fucking wonderfulll scott spegail and sam raimi did a great jon on the screepplay fuck yeah
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MCT:September 27, 2008
I can easily sum this movie up: Screaming. Screaming. Lots of blood. Screaming. Screaming. Lots of blood. Dead spirit wants the group of people to open the portal. Evil appears. Portal opens. Waste of time.
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MCT:September 26, 2008
Pretty much a remake of the first with a higher budget and better effects! This one is a bit more of a comedy, than the first... Still a tour de force of FX horror mayhem!!!
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MCT:September 23, 2008
I'm not as in love with this movie as a lot of others are, but it is still pretty entertaining. More a vehicle to show off Raimi's directorial chops than anything else really. Bruce is awesome as always, but story and character are not exactly the strong points here.
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MCT:September 21, 2008
Not quite as good as the first Evil Dead, but better than Army of Darkness. Evil Dead 2 suffers from the whole "having your cake and eating it too" problem that its sequel did, what with the strained and generally unfunny attempts at being a campy horror-comedy, but it does get away with a few laughs and Sam Raimi is so clever here that you just give in. The volume of innovative things done on a low budget in this movie puts 99% of Hollywood blockbusters to shame.
Anyway, the original is still my favorite, and the only film of the trilogy that is really "special" as I see it. This is pretty fun, but like Army of Darkness, the humor feels like it's aimed at preteens. An impressive notch under Sam Raimi's directorial belt, and an energetic horror flick, but little more. -
MCT:September 19, 2008
"There's something out there. That... that witch in the cellar is only part of it. It lives... out in those woods, in the dark... something... something that's come back from the dead."
In 1979, Sam Raimi collaborated with a young group of friends to instigate a multiple-year odyssey that ultimately became The Evil Dead. It was made on an extraordinarily low budget, but nevertheless it became an immediate hit and was rewarded with a steadfast cult following. It wasn't long before Raimi was commissioned to produce a sequel.
After The Evil Dead was released, acclaimed horror author Stephen King praised the film to the skies. He incessantly lauded it and admired the efforts of Raimi and company. Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis soon approached Raimi with a proposal to helm the cinematic adaptation of Stephen King's Thinner. The offer was eventually rejected. However, with a persuasive nudge from King, De Laurentiis agreed to fund a sequel to The Evil Dead as an alternative. As a result, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn materialised into a highly commendable cult horror film.
Dead by Dawn is a common favourite when it comes to discussions regarding the greatest addition to the eventual Evil Dead trilogy. The film's primary strength is in its ability to generate an effective balance of comedy and horror; cleverly skating the line between the two with wonderful timing. It's a terrific combination of horror, comedy and pulp fun that manages to create a zany atmosphere that succeeds on many levels. Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell and company deliver a flick that is an inspired piece of camp entertainment.
However, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn is frankly more of a remake than a sequel. Scarce chronological obligations are established, the continuity appears pretty messed up, and Campbell's character would be extremely dumb to knowingly walk into the same demonic horrors again. Campbell, who plays the character Ash, goes to the same cabin with a girlfriend of the same name, in the same car, plays the same tape and fights the same kind of Evil Dead once again.
But I digress... Raimi had intended for Dead by Dawn to be a sequel and had wanted to include a form of recap of the events of the first movie. However, due to legal issues Raimi could not acquire permission to use footage from the first Evil Dead. Instead the first 10 minutes or so include an abridged retelling of the original film with less characters and less fleshing out. The original film concluded when Ash (Campbell) was rushed by a demonic Deadite. At about the 10-minute mark, this occurs and Ash is propelled back through the forest. It's essentially a sequel, but it effectively disregards any continuity between it and its predecessor.
I personally adore the first two Evil Dead movies, but my preference is this second instalment. Why? It's so much damn fun! The humour is considerably more over-the-top and therefore more enjoyable, Ash is a far more satisfying character, and the level of camp is upped for best effect.
Here's a more elaborate plot outline: Ash takes his girlfriend Linda (Bixler) to a secluded wooden cabin for a weekend getaway. Soon after their arrival, they discover a mysterious tape encompassing recordings by an aging professor. The professor had recorded translations of the "Book of the Dead" which awakens the demonic evil in the forest. Linda is soon possessed by the Evil Dead and is transformed into a white-faced zombie. This thrusts Ash into an intense battle for his life.
The plot is quite thin, to the point of essentially being transparent. Those familiar with the series will also realise that there isn't much plot for the original Evil Dead film either. It's a clichéd tale of friends being hunted by something, with an ensuing gore-fest soon commencing. However, unlike feeble horror crap such as Friday the 13th, this series is just so much damn fun. Genius humour is mixed with effective chills and terrifying moments.
Dead by Dawn is by far the best in the trilogy. A higher budget means better make-up and superior production vales. This sequel captures the horror elements of the first film really competently. The final instalment in the trilogy (so far), Army of Darkness, was all humour and campy action without the over-the-top gory horror. Therefore as an addition to The Evil Dead trilogy, Dead by Dawn cannot be beaten. Everything here is masterful: directing, editing, acting, make-up and script. Sam Raimi obviously wanted to get a laugh no matter how silly a situation is. He succeeds! When Ash's hand is possessed by a demon, you'll realise that this is purposely very campy and that's why we love it. One must also love the witty dialogue permeating a creative situation. Campbell delivers the one-liners with great comic timing. The highlights include the badass arming up followed by the random line "...Groovy". Or a demon who states "I'll swallow you soul!" just before Campbell sticks a shotgun in its mouth and replies "Swallow this!".
As I mentioned before, Dead by Dawn is fundamentally a sequel-come-remake. Raimi apparently opted to make this film the way he had wanted to make the original. For the original, the budget was too inadequate for his ideas. The funding for Dead by Dawn had been expanded to a few million dollars, allowing more of Raimi's ideas to be brought to fruition. Robert Rodriguez later used this technique with his trademark trilogy of action films. Rodriguez made El Mariachi on a shockingly low budget ($8,000!!!), then (when he was given an expanded budget) he reworked the film in the form of the remake/sequel Desperado. First-time directors ostensibly enjoy reworking their own ideas to suit their initial conceptions more faithfully. However, the $3.6 million given to Sam Raimi for Dead by Dawn didn't permit the director to make the ambitious medieval sequel he had envisioned - his 14th century vision was reduced to a single scene at the end (this idea was later executed in the form of Army of Darkness). Still, their modest budget allowed the filmmakers to create much more effective make-up, knock-out gore effects, bigger monsters and wackier camerawork. In a nutshell: this is the perfect campy horror/comedy hybrid.
Bruce Campbell apparently described Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn as "the mother of all sequels". It truly is! The perfect association of Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell with producer Robert Tapert has created an ideal sequel. The wonderful visual style of director Raimi is certainly present here. His camerawork is first-rate, with an effective use of shadows, darkness and hilarious amounts of realistic gore. The film's only misstep would probably be the abundance of clichés. We probably wouldn't love it as much if the clichés were removed, but it's not going to be a perfect film with them included.
Dead by Dawn could be my favourite horror movie of all time. It's essential viewing for horror buffs and fans of the original movie. Ash's hilarious catchphrases and the high amount of hysterical physical comedy mixed with very effective horror scenes just cannot be topped. Followed by Army of Darkness. -
MCT:September 15, 2008
I always feel ostracized from people when I say that Evil Dead 2 is my favourite out of all of them. It surpasses the original for me, and as much as I love Army of Darkness in that each line said in it is quotable, this film has a great horror to comedy ratio. A favourite scene being the "whos laughing now" chainsawing off his hand. This film is my definite favourite and oh when Bruce Campbell says "Groovy" I get chills and instantly want to marry the man!
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MCT:September 5, 2008
A film recommended to me by by 11th grade English teacher when he found out that I wanted to become a filmmaker. After I saw it, it inspired me to complete "The 28th Day".
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MCT:September 1, 2008
Theres not much to be said about this independent masterpiece that hasten been said already. Its the movie that gave us Bruce Cambell with that alone it deserves 5 stars but besides that its a great movie. (n)
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MCT:August 24, 2008
It seems that most prefer this one over the first one. I generally liked "Evil Dead 2"; it was a blast! Only, having less blood and gore and more comical madness was a letdown for me. The story is definitely better. It's because of this that I see it as equally great as "The Evil Dead."
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MCT:August 15, 2008lol the forst one was so funny cause it was one of the old scary movies so it sucked and wasnt scary but was real funny
