By modern horror movie standards this venerable old classic starts off pretty slowly. But it also builds very nicely. A lost art, perhaps? In our contemporary world of constant thrills…
Sam Raimi already has some chops – this is his directorial debut! – visually speaking, with only Into The Woods as warm up. Tricks like the wobbly low-to-the-ground camera , scooting over the rather squalid terrain…
Bruce Campbell, and co. are great. Cheryl is the first victim, violated by the evil spirits of the woods! From hereon in the pace picks up. And very soon, with Shelley taken, chaotic carnage ensues…
Ash and Scotty are the last, as all the gals get possessed first. But after Scotty’s failed solo escape bid, pretty soon it’s just Ash… and, as Scotty fades, it also switches into a more overtly comic mode…
It’s alternately amazing, and preposterous. Scary, then silly. But there are some terrific passages. A favourite for me is the several minutes of Ash’s apparent descent into madness. Some of the camera angles and lighting are fab.
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And then there’s the whole epic lo-fi meltdown. Which is extraordinary. Porridge? Plasticine? God knows…
Bonkers, and epic…