Evil Dead 2 - with many spoilers

Evil Dead 2 is the slapstick comedy sequel to The Evil Dead in the very confusing film series that also includes Army of Darkness and The Evil Dead. A franchise I will definitely be revisiting in the future; if only to give what I’ve just watched some context.

The plot for The Evil Dead is summarized in the beginning of the movie (Evil Dead 2) which takes quite a portion of the film and has often led to people confusing Evil Dead 2 for a remake of the original. It is in fact, a genre bending continuation of the events that transpired in the cabin during the first film.

Verdict

My movie ratings consist of thumbs up or middle fingers as sometimes one starring something doesn’t shame it enough. 5 thumbs up = an absolute triumph. 5 middle fingers = a complete piece of shit, go fuck yourself.

Evil Dead 2 - 1 thumbs up The film was okay. Not my favourite but it did bring me more enjoyment than misery.

Favourite quote “Give me back my hand” - uttered by Ash, the film’s protagonist whilst fighting with his own possessed hand.

“Groovy” - also definitely deserves a mention for the unusual delivery alone.

Favourite scene The lengthy fight between Ash and his hand did stand out as my favourite part of the movie right until the end. Not because Bruce Campbell pulling animated faces whilst trying to kill and not be killed by his own hand was mildly amusing; but because this scene contained what I think may have been the only obvious joke from the whole bewildering 84 minutes. After trapping his severed hand under a bucket whilst trying to avoid it’s wrath, Ash (Bruce Campbell) then throws a stack of books on top to prevent it’s escape. The book “Farewell to Arms” is the one atop the stack. The scene concludes with the hand squealing and running out of the room as Ash tries to shoot it. The hand completely steals the scene and went on to much greater things after the movie, starring as a stunt double for Thing in The Addams family, and eventually getting it’s own single hand print on the Hollywood walk of fame.

The aforementioned scene however, was completely topped by the absolutely mental and out there conclusion to the movie where the protagonist is thrown through a portal to what looks like medieval England. A situation that leads to him having to shoot the demon head off of what looks to be some sort of pterodactyl for an audience of medieval Knights. This scene alone is why I HAVE to watch Army of Darkness, the film continuing this hilarious nonsense.

Best meme from the movie

Analysis Watching Evil Dead 2 was very similar to talking to a bat shit crazy homeless man who’s sense of humour nobody else quite understands. There were lots of faces pulled, very little actual dialogue and a stray, wandering hand that you can’t quite seem to shake.

Despite only mildly enjoying the film and not laughing or feeling scared once, Evil Dead 2 held my attention and it wouldn’t be fair to say I didn’t enjoy it. I spent a lot of time wondering whether I was supposed to be laughing with it or laughing at it, whilst I stared blankly doing neither. There is definitely something about this film (or perhaps the culture surrounding it) that has sucked me in and I know now that whether I enjoy them or not, I will have to watch all of the other movies and maybe even start the affiliated series.

The movie has also left me wondering… would it be hilarious to suffer from ‘Alien Hand Syndrome? And what exactly was the door sized threat that seemed to chase and throw people through every door in the house? The creature at the end was much bigger.

The bottom line

If you haven’t watched it then you’re not missing out on much. if you plan on watching it ever in your life then beware, you haven’t just committed to a movie, but a lengthy ordeal of researching the franchise and everything to do with it as you get sucked into the lore surrounding it in search of explanations and context… Groovy.