Review: The Evil Dead (1982)

'Evil Dead' is one of the coolest horror movies around. It is scary, and yet very funny. I love this movie and everything behind it. This movie came about because Bruce Campbell wanted to act, and Sam Raimi wanted to direct. So Mr. Campbell set out and raised $350,000 to make a movie. That is impressive. 'Evil Dead' is a classic that holds its own in horror movies to this day.

The story is of a group of friends who decide to take a trip to the woods. They stay at an abandoned cabin and learn a dark secret that the cabin owner was a professor studying ancient texts concerning death and evil. After listening to the professor's accounts on an old tape recorder, the "evil" is awakened. This "evil" kills most of the group and turns them into zombies. Ash, the only remaining character, must battle this evil, kill his zombie-turned friends, and try to stay alive until sunrise.

This is one fun movie to watch. It is a gorefest with lots and lots of cool effects. It is very clear that these guys were having fun with this movie. Sam Raimi must have laughed himself silly while writing this. His script must have been the craziest anyone has seen at the time. He is an awesome director. What he did with a small budget is amazing. The look of this film is very awesome. The crummy film, the cool camera angles, the set...Wow!

Bruce Campbell is one of the coolest actors around. This being his first big film, he proved he can do it all and hang with the others. He's got presence. He brings life to his character Ash. Most horror movies these days, even with the big TV star names littered in the credit's list, don't give us memorable characters. You will remember who Ash is for the rest of your life. He has that everyman quality about him. That is what makes the part. The character handles his situation the way any of us would. We would be scared, we'd take action, and we'd be laughable. The rest of the cast appears to be doing the best they can with what they have, but Bruce's love for the craft is what makes him shine (yes, even in a horror movie).

'Evil Dead' rates as one of the best horror movies ever made. It is a fun movie that earned its cult following. It was sheer willpower and hard work that got this movie made, and it shows. It also launched the careers of some of our favorite people in Hollywood.

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