Release Date Available Now Running Time 84 minutes Genre Horror

There are precious few quotable films like Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" series. Ash (Bruce Campbell) is arguably the best genre protagonist there is (with Snake Plissken, Jack Burton, and Reggie from Phantasm waiting in the wings), and the patented "splatstick" horror/comedy they deliver is better than anything Jane Austen could deliver on her best days. Subtitled "Dead by Dawn", the second film in the trilogy is considered the perfect one, and a pioneer. Peter Jackson owes a good deal to this film, and here's why...

The Movie

"The Evil Dead" was a straightforward horror film. Aggressive, abrasive, and original in every way. So original that Stephen King championed it and opened it up to a much wider audience. Sam Raimi and gang returned dead set on avoiding the sophomore slump by throwing the horror of the first, a bigger budget, and Three Stooges inspired physical comedy.

Rehashing the entire first film in the opening, we see Ash and his girlfriend attacked by spirits they invoke when playing a recording made by an archaeologist. Like all archaeological recordings, this summons forth a slew of demonic forces that are two notches above pissed.

She's possessed, and Ash is forced to decapitate her and bury her in the woods. Dating's rough.

Since it's not one of those repulsive Coca-Cola "Refreshing Filmmaker" shorts, things don't end there. She emerges, rotting like she's been dead for decades and is soon reunited with her severed head. Ash, being a good boyfriend, puts her head in a vise and ultimately chainsaws it. Guys, remember these dating tips.

In the melee however, she got a little bite on Ash which of course possesses his hand. If you've ever been dealt this kind of blow you know you either cut the offending appendage off or join the legions of the damned (The Battlefield: Earth Fan Club) yourself. Ash engages in the first battle between man and hand and awaits the next demon attack.

It goes on like this, and each time you are treated to hilarity, ingenious camerawork, and the best physical actor on two feet this side of Jackie Chan. Bruce Campbell is not a cult icon for Xena or Brisco County. It's because of Ash, and this film features the man in his finest form. Throwing himself down stairs, bashing his head with condiments, or hurtling through the trees, he does it with pride.

There are no shortage of classic scenes here: The Man/Hand Combat, The "Groovy" sequence, The "Swallow Your Soul" bit, The eye popping, The "Evil Ed" scene. So much stuff, so much classic stuff.

Everything from "Idle Hands" to "Cemetery Man" to Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" all owe a little nod to this film. Never before had gore been so fun, and fun been so damned gory.

The effects by KNB are great when they need to be and campy when they need to be. Stop motion, prosthetics, and any other trick of the trade is employed here. Absolutely priceless.

Sam Raimi went from low budget scaremonger to ROLE MODEL in one fell swoop, and it's because of this film. Notice his close ties with these people over the years and realize it's no coincidence that they're the biggest creators around: Joel & Ethan Coen. Watch their "Raising Arizona" again after seeing this, and then look at the Raimi/Coen project "Crimewave". The seeds for some of the best work being done in film (Remember, Sam's doing SPIDER-MAN) were planted here.

So, if you haven't seen it yet, the expectations will probably be too high. If you HAVE seen it, then spread the gospel brother. This film is the goods, and the reason I went to film school.
9 out of 10

The Video
I never, EVER thought I'd see this little film look so good. Anamorphic? No way. But it is! While hardly on par with today's best presentations, the sheer achievement done here is astounding. Everything about Anchor Bay's presentation makes the film look like a million bucks. Watch the videotape after this, and it'll be like looking at The La Brea Tar Pits after seeing the Caribbean. Good job, guys!
7 out of 10

The Audio
I almost wet the chair when the THX logo came up ON AN EVIL DEAD DVD. I can understand it on a Lucasfilm, but Evil Dead 2? The spiffy work done on this DVD is a testament to the fan base and Sam Raimi's appreciation for his roots. It sounds INCREDIBLE. Not incredible by FIGHT CLUB standards, but incredible regardless. I just want to watch the THX intro again just for a reality check.
8 out of 10

The Extras
OK, I'll admit it. The tin case pretty much sucks. It's too big for a DVD shelf and has a jewel case inside holding the film. Plus, the "Full Color 48 Page Booklet" is mostly pictures and kind of cheaply done. Of course, it's not THAT expensive and money is made to be spent contrary to what my wife tells me.

There are two major reasons no Evil Dead fan should go to bed tonight without this in their collection:

1. Audio Commentary. Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel, and FX guru Greg Nicotero are priceless. Funny, loaded with vignettes about the production, and the kind of people you'd like to hang out with. Their commentary is nearly as entertaining as the film itself. These guys are the BEST.

1. "The Gore The Merrier". A nice, long behind the scenes documentary that will keep you in stitches. Watch the FX show build the creatures. Watch Ted Raimi become "Henrietta". Watch their "Evil Dead Baby" spoof. You have to see it.
8 out of 10

The gas to the DVD shop: $2.00. The cost of the DVD: $30.00. The ride home: $2.00.

The Evil Dead DVD: Priceless.

Nick Nunziata knows what's in his fruit cellar.