Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Ted Raimi, Kassie Wesley, Richard Domeier
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 90 minutes
Extras: Swallowed Souls: The Making of Evil Dead II, Cabin Fever, Photo Galleries, Archival Footage, Road To Wadesboro.
We all know how superb Sam Raimi’s splatterfest EVIL DEAD 2 is, right? Arriving in the UK just in time to mark the release of the Fede Alvarez directed modern remake of the notorious original cult-classic, EVIL DEAD, Raimi’s superior sequel finally sees the high-definition upgrade of the 25th Anniversary land on our shores for the first time.
Most of you reading this review will no doubt have purchased the film in one form or another over the last quarter of a century. This old-timer completist has multiple times on video, laserdisc, DVD and a couple of years ago, on glorious Blu-ray. So is this this new celebratory edition of EVIL DEAD 2 worth a double-dip? Damn right it is!
The follow-up opens with a quick recap on previous events narrated by the legend that is Bruce Campbell in his signature limb-lopping role of Ashley ‘Ash’ Williams. However, Raimi was forced to shoot new footage and mix things up a little after being unable to secure the rights to show scenes of his own first film. Could this have been the reason why the now iconic director went down the route he did by effectively remaking the intense original with Three Stooges-inspired grotesque humour that bordered on parody? The ‘video nasty’ tag may have also helped Raimi lighten up with a little-less wandering tree roots. Whatever the answer, it most certainly worked.
Once we’re reacquainted with our hero’s current predicament, and of course the location, we’re introduced to four new characters who are quick to set-upon Ash after one of them discovers their relatives are missing. Of course, they are all in for a soul-swallowing surprise as the deadite spirits soon rear their ugly faces. Campbell gives a memorable, rousing performance which cemented his cult status as a genre fave, but Raimi’s brother Ted is worthy of a special mention and gives everyone’s favourite chin a quotable run for his money in his film debut as the demonically-possessed Henrietta.
The new transfer is exquisite but doesn’t always work in its favour. There are some glaringly obvious mistakes for those maybe unable to spot them first (or second) time around. As a product of its time though, EVIL DEAD 2 can be forgiven as it’s such a blast and few films are this fast-paced and manage to remain enjoyable. There is a hidden charm to film behind the huge number of gut-busting (and gut-churning) set-pieces and we never tire of the familiar tracking shots racing through the creepy forrest, or the distorted camera angles adding to the experience, so evident throughout Raimi’s terrific output over the years. A style unmistakable.
As awesome as it is, it’s the bonus material that makes EVIL DEAD 2 worth the extra punt this time around. A fascinating feature-length making of ‘Swallowed Souls’ gives fans of the franchise intricate and personal details behind the punishing production via key talking head interviews and behind-the-scenes crew home movies. Director Raimi’s own input is sadly lacking though. Cast and crew giving us surprising nuggets of info such as the film being in profit before a single frame was shot due to European distribution sales. The young make-up effects team, including the of likes of Robert Kurtzman, Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero (who would later go on to create their own KNB effects studio), look to be having a blast during the extensive gory latex workshop footage as we see creatures come together in both ‘Swallowed Souls’ and ‘Cabin Fever’, which include peeks at a number unused deadites.
Still a groovy blast so go out and buy!
EVIL DEAD 2: Special Edition is released on Blu-ray from 15th April.
