Army of Darkness (1993)
Rated R (for violence, language, and gore)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Starring:
Bruce Campbell
Embeth Davidtz
Marcus Gilbert
Bill Moesely
I love the Evil Dead movies, but this one has a special place in my heart because it was the first horror flick I ever saw. Comedy Central had it on one year, close to Halloween, and I happened to be baby-sitting that night. My dad had planned to watch it, but had expressly instructed me not to, because he felt like it would be too scary. Needless to say, I was too intrigued not to check it out and it was awesome.
After a quick recounting of the first two movies, Ash (Bruce Campbell) finds himself in medieval England. He is captured by Lord Arthur (Marcus Gilbert), mistaken for one of Duke Henry's soldiers. The village's Wise Man recognizes Ash as their foretold savior from the Deadites. Ash is thrown into "the Pit" and attacked by two Deadites, but is able to defeat them easily, making him the village hero. He is sent to retrieve the Necronomicon, the only thing that can send him back to his own time. He ends up fighting an evil version of himself and the entire Deadite army.
This film is campy, but it's supposed to be. I think I loved it as a kid because it was like a "Mystery Science Theater 3000" flick, but funny on it's own, without the commentary. Army of Darkness was not as well-received as the other films, but it's a great funny horror movie and you really can't go wrong with Bruce Campbell. I view it as less of a true sequel to the Evil Dead films, and more of a separate film that also features Ash.
Fright Rating: 1 gasp out of a possible 5
This flick is not really scary and the gore is played for laughs. If you like cult films or splatstick, you will love Army of Darkness (and the Evil Dead films).
I'm so happy other people have the same appreciation for this movie that I do! I agree, it's more of a spin-off of Evil Dead, as opposed to a sequel. Either way though, I love it! I had the hardest time parting with my PS2 Army of Darkness (even after we sold the console). Some of the greatest quotes come from that movie "Boomstick", "Gimme some sugar baby", "Oh that's just what we call pillow talk"....so many gems! I remember seeing it in the theater also. I think I was 15... The cutest little punk guy that I had a crush on took me to the old theater in Orange. I’m pretty sure that theater is closed now…
ReplyDeleteDid I ever mention ‘Confessions of a B Movie Actor’? His book - very funny. Has some really interesting stories about the making of the Evil Dead movies.
I will definitely have to check that out! I heard they are making a new Evil Dead, but I have mixed feelings about it. As a general rule, I usually don't like remakes, but Bruce Campbell has given it his full blessing, so I feel like I have to at least check it out!
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