You paid how much to see this film?
Sam Raimi's 1981 film The Evil Dead received much critical acclaim and has attained a large cult following since its debut. I have never seen the original film, so I cannot compare it to the remake, the just released Evil Dead. As a longtime fan of the horror genre I enjoy being scared, but as the years have flown by, it now takes a truly shocking effort to shake me up. Unfortunately, Evil Dead is not that kind of film.
The story centers around a group of friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods in an effort to help Mia (Jane Levy) detox. Mia's brother, David (Shiloh Fernandez), wants to help his sister get better, but the troubled past they share makes the situation even more difficult. Mia's various problems lower her resolve, which makes her the perfect target for a demonic presence to infiltrate her body and mind, while placing the lives of David and their friends, Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), Olivia (Jessica Lucas) and Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore) in great danger.
Soon after arriving, Mia complains about an awful stench emanating from the basement of the cabin. The group soon discovers animal carcasses and plenty of blood, which raises more than a few questions. In addition, Eric finds a book that has been bound shut, but his curiosity gets the better of him and he opens it. The bizarre pictures and words seem to speak to him and, as a result, he begins to read the book aloud, which raises the demonic spirit, who makes a beeline for Mia. Soon thereafter, the carnage begins and even though the deranged Mia has been locked in the basement, the demon is able to move about and inhabit the bodies and minds of others, resulting is copious amounts of blood and gore. Indeed, the demon is intent of killing the five visitors and concocts many gruesome punishments with the help of a very sharp knife, broken glass and a nail gun. Of course, with the lack of character development, I am not sure viewers will care who lives or dies.
One of the problems with Evil Dead is that it is simply not scary. When the demon inhabits Mia, her voice changes and her face contorts, but it looks more like an attempt at black comedy than horror. I almost laughed when Mia/the demon pokes her head out from the basement door and threatens the others. To their credit, the other characters do initially try to get Mia away from the cabin and to a doctor, but the never ending rainfall has washed out the road, trapping them in the woods. At least the characters have some common sense and a degree of likability about them.
Evil Dead is somewhat suspenseful, Lou Taylor Pucci delivers some fine work, and the final act is rather exciting. I actually found myself rooting for a character who annoyed me almost from start to finish, but wanted to see her/him survive nonetheless. Of course, any survivors could trigger a sequel and I am not sure if that is a good idea. One trip back to the cabin may be enough.
Director: Fede Alvarez
Screenplay: Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues, Diablo Cody
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar