Evil Dead 3: Army Of Darkness
Sam Raimi, now an A List director thanks to Spiderman, found himself on rocky waters early on. After critical success for Evil Dead, and huge cult following thanks to Evil Dead 2, Sam was given his first studio produced film. He wanted to do Phantom, the studio's said no, so he made his own hero - Darkman. While no doubt in my mind the film is good...
Sam Raimi, now an A List director thanks to Spiderman, found himself on rocky waters early on. After critical success for Evil Dead, and huge cult following thanks to Evil Dead 2, Sam was given his first studio produced film. He wanted to do Phantom, the studio's said no, so he made his own hero - Darkman. While no doubt in my mind the film is good, it barely recouped its budget. So Sam decided to turn back to the films that made him famous, so then Evil Dead 3 : Army of Darkness was created. I should mention I will be reviewing the 2-disc region 1 (the discs are bought separately), but the exact same release is coming to region 2 very soon.
(Movie)
Sam wanted to call it Evil Dead 3, but the studio told him, to call it something different as people who had no seen the originals would not watch it. So after many ideas (including my favourite MediEvil Dead), they decided on Army of Darkness, or to give its full title Bruce Campbell vs The Army of Darkness. AOD did not exactly start off as the second had finished, they changed it slightly to fit into the story wanted, by the way there is an effective recap, so you do not need to watch Evil Dead 1&2 (even though you should, because they are classics). Bruce Campbell (star of all 3 movies), crashes down in a strange land, where people are haunted by ghouls and monsters (deadites). The people convince him to get a magic book, the Necronomicon, not only to save the people, but also to send him home. But in true Bruce Campbell style, he screws things up, big time. Now Bruce (Ash in the film), has to face the ultimate challenge, the Army Of Darkness.
The film did not do well in the cinemas unfortunately, (though good DVD sales, means maybe a number 4), and its Evil Dead (of 1 and 2 to be specific) fans were left disappointed. What Sam and Ivan (Sam's brother, who co wrote it), were to try was something different, to in a sense allow the
films to grow. The fist film was horror, the second was slapstick horror, and this one was adventure slapstick. Now what Sam could have done for this third instalment, is add more gore and monsters (like Cameron did with Aliens, he just added more action and more aliens) and he could have watched the plaudits come in, but he decided not to be a coward and try something
new. So does AOD deserve to flop, NO, this is a great film. Is it as good as the previous 2? Well this is completely different film, and so hard to compare, probably as good as the first, but doesn't quite reach number 2 (which is one of the greatest films of all time, and by the way also
reviewed on this site, as is 1 for that matter).
Bruce Campbell (the biggest B movie actor in the world), is again on top form. He plays Ash so well, and this no easy feet as Ash is an idiot, a coward, insane, pompous and also occasionally a hero. Bruce's cheesy personification of Ash, is a joy to watch, and is so convincing, which means you are drawn in, and that is why I feel an Oscar would have not been out of a question. The whole movie is really about Bruce, and that's what makes it work, it gives the movie a real focus, and an identity, which means there is no mistaking this film. There are 2 other major roles, one is Ash's love interest, played by Embeth Davidtz (she was also in Schindler's List), her straight acting (against Bruce's goofy acting), plays really well, and allows for good chemistry. The other main character is the leader of the deadites, also played by Bruce, and while not as outstanding as Ash, still a worthy foe. If you've seen Spiderman, then you know there is real energy about the film, and there is this same sort of energy here, while not quite as raw as Evil Dead 2, this energy makes the film really exciting, and allows for no dull moments. But if you've seen a few Sam Raimi directed movies, then you'll be used to this, and in my opinion this is what has made
Sam Raimi, one of the hottest people in Hollywood.
AOD is a great watch, and not just once, you'll find yourself inviting your friends, just to watch it again and spread the joy. It is great entertainment, not deep, but full of hilarious situations, as well as superb one liners, which you will steal and use on other people to be cool (but don't think you will be as cool Ash, that's impossible). Only one slight things drops it short of perfection, and that’s the final battle scene, while exciting, the character Ash, does revert into a hero, and in my eyes looses his charm. Except this niggle, it's such a cool film, while it may never challenge Godfather part 2, as greatest film, its one that will make you laugh and remember how good life can be.
(Picture)
In the 2-disc version, there are 2 cuts of the movie one on each disc. The first theatrical cut, is superb, clear and really clean, and to boot you can have widescreen or fullscreen. The quality THX mastered, so we are talking really high quality. The 2nd disc, director's cut, overall is average. The added bits are quite dark, and the parts which are the same as the first disc, have not be THX mastered, which is a bit strange. Never mind, the first disc makes up for the second one.
(Sound)
Unsurprisingly the sound on the first disc is good (THX), while not explosive it adds to the joy, and if you are wondering it is DD 5.1. The second disc is Dolby Surround, while not as good as the first disc, still very competent, and never deters from the film.
(Exras)
The first thing I should mention is that the director's cut adds 15 minutes in total here and there, as well as a different ending (very different).
*On the dir cut, the features are:
*4 deleted scenes, which are in neither film (with optional commentry)
*StoryBoards, which appear in the corner while you watch the movie.
*Finally on this disc, is a commentry by Sam & Ivan Raimi, and Bruce Campbell.
This is the best commentry I've ever heard, informative and very funny.
On theatrical cut DVD, the features are:
*Theatrical Trailer
*Talent Bios
*A Behind the Scenes featurette
The deleted scenes are interesting, the storyboards and the featurette are worth a watch, with the real high point being the commentary. Lets not forget you get 2 cuts of the movies; this is a good list of quality extras.
(Overall)
Simply put, this is a top quality film, on the definitive DVD release. "Listen up you primitive screwheads" and wait for region 2 release and snap it up fast, as it was limited in the US, You will not be disappointed...............
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