Friday, May 10, 2013

Review: Evil Dead (2013)




Sam Raimi’s 1981 Evil Dead is a cult classic among horror fans. Admittedly, I haven’t seen the original so I have no idea if this remake lives up to the original but what I can say is that 2013’s Evil Dead is a slick and well-made movie that gives an edge–of-your-seat bloody entertainment.

Mia (Jane Levy) is taken by her brother David (Shiloh Fernandez) and a few friends to a cabin in the woods to shake off her drug problems. The group discovers a strange book in a hidden basement. Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) reads the incantations and it inadvertently unleashes a malevolent force that attacks Mia. When Mia starts behaving strangely, the group first thought that it was just simply withdrawal symptoms but it was not and soon the group is fighting for their lives.

Evil Dead does not go away from the horror movie template of a group of friends trapped in a remote location where they do stupid things that just lures them closer to danger. And to be quite honest, there’s also not much suspense to speak of as you can expect people to get attacked when you expect them to be. But despite not escaping the genre clichés, Evil Dead still shined thanks to its full commitment to shock the viewers with violent images. The most terrifying aspect of the movie is not really about the demon but the horrifying injuries of the characters and how it happened. This is certainly not for the faint heart as the attacks are so gruesome that there are scenes that are simply hard to look at.

You don’t really expect that much characterization and complex conflicts for this kind of movie but I have to say that the issue between siblings Mia and David was established well enough to make you care about those two but as for their friends they are just simply the nerd, the skeptic and the vulnerable girlfriend. While the acting of the cast is generally fine (they looked scared enough and they were believable in "painful" scenes), it was Jane Levy’s performance that kept things together. Levy completely devoted herself to the role and pulls off a wide array of emotions.

Evil Dead is insanely entertaining. The crazy violence is definitely not for everyone but if you are looking for a disgustingly delicious over-the-top blood fest then Evil Dead will not disappoint you.

Rating: 7 / 10

"Evil Dead" is now showing exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas. Rated R-18 Without Cuts by the MTRCB, you can watch the film at Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee (Central Luzon), Abreeza (Davao), Harbor Point (Subic) and Centrio (Cagayan de Oro).

Join the discussion at Pinoyexchange! Visit the EVIL DEAD thread 

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Previous Reviews:

Trance
Iron Man 3
It Takes a Man and a Woman  
Aparisyon
The Croods


 

This review was first published at Pinoyexchange

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I havent seen the remake yet. But if you think the death scenes are gruesome (in the remake), try watching the original, you'd be so much more amazed with the death scenes, the make up and all. But in horror remakes, i'm excited to see carrie :)