Evil Dead Rise
review by Bobby Blakey
The strange hilarious and sometimes terrifying world of the Evil Dead has been entertaining fans since the original debuted in 1981. Since it spawned an excellent sequel, a comedic third feature and an all-around kick ass series along with a pretty great remake. Now producer of the series Ash vs Evil Dead, Rob Tapert is reteaming with both Sam Raimi and Ash himself Bruce Campbell as producers for a new journey into the dead with Evil Dead Rise. This time The Hole in the Ground director Lee Cronin is at the helm and stars Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher. Could this latest entry to the legacy justice or will it not worth being possessed?
Evil Dead Rise follows a road-weary Beth who pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.
For those wondering where this latest entry stands in the franchise, it is not a remake or a reimagining, but instead its own thing altogether. Have no fear there are plenty of nots and easter eggs to the rest of the franchise, but it plays up more like just another story involving the book of the dead. I have loved every movie in the series including the remake so was wondering if this one would continue the trend and I am happy to report it very much does.
As seen in the trailers the film is mostly in an apartment building instead of a cabin in the woods, but that aspect does still have a place here. To my
happy surprise it works just as great in this environment thanks to keeping the same ideals and vibe of the films that came before it intact. The use of new places and household items opens up for some familiar creativity and all the gore fans could want.
The film wastes no time getting to the bloody fun right out the gate leading into an awesome title sequence. It spends just enough time setting all the characters up before it kicks off the fun once again and never lets up until the very end. It keeps the puns and blood coming in all its beautiful bloody glory. Major props to all the cast that had to play double duty as their regular characters and those possessed. They knocked it out of the park especially Alyssa Sutherland who chews up every scene and really brings a creepy performance to life.
Sure there are differences that some hardcore fans of the franchise might not fully embrace, but I for one was all there for it from beginning to end. Listen and look closely for possible connections to the original series, but know this is all on its own and just have a great time.
Witness the return of the deadites when Evil Dead Rise available now on premium digital and then on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on June 27th from Warner Bros Home Entertainment.
