Sunday, July 21











Drew Grimm Van Ess said...

I've been watching horror for over 20 years and I've been told I'm not a "True" horror fan for liking the remake. People are jokes sometimes. Great post and well said.

Jayson Kennedy said...

Thanks! It has many positive, redeeming qualities and I think it'll eventually be seen in the same light as Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead. As you probably know at first everyone was freaking that someone would actually dare touch such a classic, but now it's generally seen as a standout in Hollywood horror from the last decade that doesn't tarnish Romero's film. I believe this new ED will stand up to that same test.

Craig Edwards said...

I'm glad you liked it. They had the utter gall to put "The Most Terrifying Movie Ever Made" on the poster, then followed that up with a completely by-the-numbers modern horror movie, with unlikable characters and too much "modern grit and relevance" with the junkie character. By the way, you do know there is a Bruce Campbell cameo, right?

Snake Plissken said...

The remake was very good in my book. Ok i wasnt blown away by the movie, but as i said it's very good. I have a split opinion about the "remake" craze, depends on the movie and i must admit that i was sceptical about the new Evil Dead. Anyway the bottom line is that liked this one, especially the 2nd time i watched it. Also I agree with the things you said in your post. There is no cure for stupid people.

JohnBem said...

Amen, brother.

Lee Russell said...

Spot on. This remake was damn good overall. For me, one of the better ones I've seen in the last twenty years. It was refreshing to see it go the route of "The Hills Have Eyes" or "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remakes and not hold back or try to go far out into left field.

Heather said...

A-fucking-men, Jayson. I have ranted to NO end about this kind of bullshit from people who seem so eager to protect a film they obviously don't remember or never saw.

As for the "Most Terrifying Movie Ever Made" thing - I fucking love it. Nice little tribute. "The ultimate experience in grueling terror"...gee, where have I heard THAT one before? ;)

Sweetooth0 said...

The remake was crap.

My problems had nothing to do with too much gore (which was great) or any of the things you highlighted in this article, but simply because the script they wrote for this was shit, the cast was as plastic and bland as they come, and the "let's ape on The Ring and The Exorcist" designs for the deadites sucked.

I don't get the impression that Fede Alverez had any understanding of what was appealing about the original Evil Dead.

DAWnofthedead said...

First things first, this is quite the blog. I'm no longer the person I once was that just watched cheesy slasher flicks with reckless abandon, but I appreciate seeing posts that touch upon some of my favorites and provides more information than I ever knew.

Alright, so this is the perspective of someone who hasn't watched the new one, but has watched the old one. So I'm more going to write a general opinion without actually giving an opinion on the new one (since I honestly can't).

I actually disagree that the original wasn't at all a comedy. It may have been the darkest and most frightening incarnation of the series, but there's still a certain amount of campy black humor with OTT execution and performances that I think was done intentionally.

I think my main issue is just a personal shortcoming of mine (and so while I can only respectfully disagree with you, I'd rather not be considered an "idiot" for having this flaw): I've seen too many favorites (or even just enjoyable flicks) ruined and/or homogenized. I know some of the most "classic" horror movies are remakes themselves (The Fly or The Thing, anyone?), yet those are usually put out by reputable filmmakers who've proven themselves. They may have even taken the basic premise and have done their own thing. Nowadays, it seems like the remake is just fodder for anyone trying to stick their foot in the door as a filmmaker, and what easier way than to copy a movie (nearly verbatim) that has a following, put more money into it, CGI it, and turn it into a soul-less slasher flick? That's a general trend I'm seeing these days. Have you seen Let Me In? It's mostly a carbon copy, but what Matt Reeves did that were his ideas completely conflicted with the ideas of the original and turned it into a confused mess. And again, CGI and blood. And that's considered one of the better remakes from this era of remakes.

I've found that, when it comes to message boards, I try to clear my head and take a neutral approach. I still feel the need to vent every once in a while, and I always remain pessimistic. However, I still have that "fanboy edge," for lack of a better term, that you describe. As I said, it's a personal downfall.

So with the Evil Dead remake, I did a fair share of defending the film, and will continue to do so until I watch the film. I'll set my expectations low and see if I enjoy it. The worst case scenario, I hope, is that it's just an average slasher remake with cool effects.

On a side-note, I've also a petty grudge against all the TV remakes we're doing. But that's another story for another time. you dare tread upon the staircase?
