Evil Dead (2013)

 Back in 1981, an independent horror film was released to the public, under the name “The Evil Dead.” It was about a bunch of people who spend time at a cabin in the woods, when they find the Necronomicon, “The Book of the Dead,” and unleash supernatural evils. This was Sam Raimi's first feature film, and it was also the film that put him on the map, but not to full publicity. That, and it introduced the world to Bruce Campbell as Ashley 'Ash' Williams. To this day, it has remained as one of the best horror films of all time, and was the start of one of the greatest film trilogies of all time.

1987 saw the release of “Evil Dead 2,” which was pretty much a remake of the first film, only intentionally funny and awesome. They did make changes that were different from the first film, and the most iconic moment they brought about to the “Evil Dead” series, was Ash's chainsaw arm. To this day, it's considered by many as not only one of the best horror films, but one of the best sequels ever made.

During production on “Evil Dead 3,” or “The Med-Evil Dead,” they changed up a lot of things, which lead to the film being called “Army of Darkness.” While this does get a lot of rep for being the weakest in the series, it doesn't take away any enjoyment for it. Ash brings his smart-alack remarks to the middle ages, after being sent back in time with the Necronomicon, and has to help the fellow people if be protected, if he ever wants to get back home as an S Mart employee again. Sure, it's a bad movie, but that it has it's charm to it, that most films don't really have nowadays.

For the longest time, there's always been word of an “Evil Dead 4” and an “Evil Dead” remake coming out, and that it was getting to a point where some people actually petitioned for another sequel. But when the remake was said to have Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's stamps of approval, that got fans like myself invested in it.

So was the remake actually good?...Not only is it good and rank up with the other three films, but I consider this film to be the best horror remake I have EVER seen!

Much like the original, the film tells of a group of friends who go to spend time at a cabin in the woods. What they don't know is that the cabin has a secret bunker, and they find the Necronomicon, only to have accidentally released an evil like no other, and one by one are killed. This film really took advantage of being as respectable to the original film, because it had people who CARED and KNEW the source material. I think that might have to do with Sam and Bruce being producers, but who knows.

The casting is filled with unknowns, much like the original was. Thankfully, none of the characters were called 'Ash,' because that would be something that people would be complaining about in the film. That decision was made by Bruce Campbell, and that was a really smart move on his part. Shiloh Fernandez as David, the main guy, really made a difference in his acting from “Red Riding Hood.” Lou Taylor Pucci as Eric was a guy who had SO much endurance. This guy gets all kinds of Hell beaten down upon him. However, none of them or others that I haven't mentioned were as good as Jane Levy as Mia. She plays the girl that gets possessed by the dead and really delivers on the presence and atmosphere that Ellen Sandweiss.

That brings me to the number one thing that this film did EXTREMELY well with. Atmosphere. This does what most horror films fail to do, and that's bring atmosphere. The last horror film that actually managed to do well with atmosphere was “The Woman in Black,” but here I thought this did a better job. Tons of gore doesn't make a good horror film, but if the film is good and the gore works as an additional treat for people. And the best part about it, was that almost all the effects were practical, instead of pointless CGI. I give praise to the director, who was a first timer on films, that went with the practical effects path here. It looked real, it felt real, and it felt right!

Also if you're curious, there are some little easter eggs that fans of the original can find as they watch, especially at the ending credits. Trust me, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Overall, “Evil Dead (2013) is not only the best horror remake I've seen, but my favorite movie of the year so far. It's dark, twisted, insane, gory, funny, and scary. This had everything that made an “Evil Dead” film an “Evil Dead” film.

Rating: 10/10