IR Film Review: EVIL DEAD RISE [New Line/Warner Bros]
Finding an interesting entry point for "Evil Dead Rise" helps if there is a perfunctory understanding of the world, both in the essence of the Bruce Campbell -led structure and the more dark horror elements of some of the later adaptations. Producer Rob Tappert and Exec Producer Sam Raimi know that reinterpretation in certain ways helps to make any entry its own. In moving the film from Sony (where the last films were made) to New Line at Warner Brothers, there seems to be a freedom and essence of homage and style which was missing maybe in the creative committee process on the previous ones. Granted the films was able to be made completely in New Zealand (even though it takes place mostly in one apartment building) but it doesn't pull the punches. It is pretty gory for a studio movie and yet there is a sense of humor (which has always existed in these films) that gives it a palpability without losing its dread. Motivated by the unearthing of the Book Of The Dead (it also doesn't require a reference to Ash -- which is nice), the entire black hole of darkness begins again, this time with a woman Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and her three kids.
There is almost an ET structure where the husband has left and is never seen. A sister in the form of Beth (Lily Sullivan) returns home unaware, and of help herself. An earthquake hits, opening a vault of sorts and panic ensues. Even the pizza mess on the floor of the parking garage takes a cue from the Spielberg movie. So even though the film is brutal (even more so as it goes on), there is a weird lightness that propels it. Sutherland and Sullivan have different approaches that allow for disconnection and connection in certain ways, even as things spiral more and more out of control but both are excellent in their own ways. There are some peripheral characters in the film but those become more dispatches for cannon fodder as there is no escape. The ending really amps it up to almost cartoonish levels (not visually mind you) but it works insanely well in those final moments, while still resetting the opening which initially seemed a bit abrupt but just was set up in that way to throw the audience off. In that way, "Evil Dead Rise" definitely delivers through and through on what it is. B+
By Tim Wassberg
