Now we dive into what is probably the most popular entry into The Evil Dead trilogy!
Army of Darkness (1993)
Directed By: Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and um yeah..Spider-Man)
The Prologue
If you look for the true meaning behind the term “Cult Classic” you’d probably find a picture of Army of Darkness right next to it. Made in 1993 as the third installment of the Evil Dead series, Army of Darkness would go on to make back at the box office just what they had put into making it and not much else..But as many films do, after time had passed the movie kept on gaining steam and here we are today with it being one of the most loved movies around. Odd thing is there are people that know Army of Darkness and can quote it (and there’s a lot to quote) but they can’t recall what The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 is. Of course I’m talking about the average movie goer and not the more hardcore horror movie fans like me and you but there are folks out there that are like that. And the irony of it is, Raimi actually intended for that to be case. He wanted people to be able to watch Army of Darkness as a stand alone film even if they haven’t seen the first two..well mission accomplished buddy.
The Movie
When we last left off Ash (played by every female horror bloggers favorite man Bruce Campbell) accidentally transported to 1300 A.D. However things aren’t EXACTLY like how they left off on Evil Dead 2..none the less, Ash must now battle an army of the dead (And an evil version of himself) and retrieve the Necronomicon so he can return home!..And to work at the S-Mart (shop smart! Shop S-Mart!)
Noticeably absent from this film that it’s predecessors had is the gallons of blood and gore. Sure it’s violent and all at times but it’s mostly just comical and is packed with much of the quotes and scenes everyone who loves the movie or the character of Ash go on and on about today. However what is lacking in blood is made up for in entertainment as it’s probably the best over-all story in the series as things are taken from the woods and tossed into a much MUCH larger picture of mid-evil times..a fitting place for the “Evil Dead”. The plot of this movie was even foreshadowed before the ending of Evil Dead 2 as you’ll recall a page was in the book that showed of a hero (who looked JUST like Ash) arriving to save the land from all the evil that was to come.
While I do like this movie, I do miss the blood and gore the first two had. As always these things are a matter of opinions and while others love this one most of all in the series it stands alone as my least favorite..but it IS a good movie none the less. And one all fans just looking for a good time should look into seeing if you haven’t..but then again I’m willing to bet more people have seen this entry into The Evil Dead trilogy as they have either of the other two. Which also leads to the shock most folks get when after just seeing this film they get when viewing the original Evil Dead.
The Conclusion
Well as I’ve stated this is probably the most popular film in the series but it’s my least favorite. But I do like it way more than most films out there. I think I’d have it at the top of my Evil Dead list if it had more horror elements and gore. Now there is a zillion different versions of this film out there on about a zillion different DVD releases but I’d suggest if you just want the film get the Bruce Campbell vs. The Army of Darkness official bootleg version (The one I have) or if your more into extras then getting the Bruce Campbell vs. The Army of Darkness Boomstick Edition. Either way you owe it to yourself to see all three of these films.
The Rating (7.5/10)
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