Let me just start by saying an unpopular opinion concerning
the Evil Dead franchise. It is overrated. It is overrated from a saturated fan
base that seems to stem from a rite of passage for movie nerds and college
students (especially those majoring in telecommunications or in film school). Before
you morph into a film fan cliche, let me quickly point out that this film deserves much of the praise it receives for its heart, style and technique
shining through a shoestring budget and grueling experience. It is a great
story for independent film-making and aspiring talents. My problem is that, I
feel like many rate it far too highly and are not objective about the series
anymore or even know why they appreciate it other than it is cool; but let’s
not waste time stating what I hope to cover below.
The Evil Dead is truly the meat and mythos of this franchise
that would have two more films and a remake in 2013. I am not going to go
through each movie but my whole logic on this matter applies to the franchise
as well. The true horror in the first
entry is not what you watch on screen, it is what it took to get this film on
the screen. I suggest if you have not read Bruce Campbell’s If Chins Could
Kill then do so. You will be treated to a wonderful inside recollection of
the production stories. The time, the money, the cast: they all just kept
disappearing. Stand-ins, using parent’s homes as collateral for loans, cleaning
and repairing an old dilapidated cabin; whatever it took they did it.
Now for me The Evil Dead is a fun time with some notable
moments, mostly because it is an independent feature. I will not worship this
film like many do because at the end of the day it is what it is: a limited
film. In all fairness, it is not up to the viewer to base enjoyment on what the
budget was. Our job is to be entertained and anything deeper like noting trivia
and other things is out of being a devoted fan. I appreciate the ingenuity and
heart they had to get this movie out there. However, that does not mean I am
going to put this up there with independent achievements like Halloween or The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre. Some may call this horror blasphemy; I call it the truth.
I enjoy The Evil Dead but I will never understand why it is
regarded so highly with the best of all-time. You can enjoy all types of films,
know your stuff and not have to think this is one of the greatest films. I have
worked on past projects from shorts to documentaries so I appreciate the
process they went through. It is rigorous and heart breaking at times. I have
watched countless movies from that period so I appreciate it’s time and place. So
I raise this question to others: Why is this film so great? Why is this film so
much above countless other independent horror films with promise that peeked
through their own limitations? My initial answer is Bruce Campbell and his
magic campy bravado. So I do accept that and understand it. My issue is that I
feel many no longer understand the nuances and perks of these films. They just
know it is something different and cool like being captivated by young dead
rock stars when you discover rock and roll as a teen. All of this is okay. If a
college freshman is having his world brightened with The Evil Dead then good
for him; I am not ripping on anyone for liking a film for the wrong or right
reasons. My point is that the praise has gotten out of control and become a
little less about the actual film and its merits, and a little more about just
a rite of passage. So much so that now that is being placed up in all time
lists for greatest horror films of all time. Along side films like Psycho,
Jaws, etc and that to me is absurd. I am positive Campbell
and Raimi would feel the same way and even make fun of that notion. So please
keep in mind before you rip me apart that I said I do enjoy this film along
with the others in the series but I do not seem to reach the same level of film
nirvana like many do with this one. I
just cannot anoint them to levels that leave them with the greatest of all
time.
Sorry, if you prefer I had talked about each film
individually on here but we already did on the show and this would get
annoyingly long. I enjoy all of the entries including the newest one that came
out last year. I enjoy them for different reasons but nonetheless I do enjoy
all of them. I hope the show entertained you and if I upset you with my
opinion. Good. Talking about what we love, horror movies, is why we are here.
If you agree with every single word we all say then this would get boring.
Thanks for listening and checking in. The next show will be up sooner than
usual because of the delay getting this one up. Sorry you had to wait!
Until next time,
Beware of the moon
The Professor
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