|
|
Written and Directed by Starring Presented by Unrated 82
minutes |
 |
||
 |
||||
|
EVIL
DEAD: ULTIMATE EDITION Review
Since Anchor Bay Entertainment bought the rights of the classic 1982 Sam Raimi horror film EVIL DEAD, they really have taken care of the film with its releases. While some may say it’s a bit too much, and after its “BOOK OF THE DEAD” edition, I thought that was the definitive edition on DVD that we would get. However, with the recent release of the ULTIMATE EDITION, I was wrong, and what we have here is quite simply one of the greatest DVD collections ever put out since the advent of DVD. EVIL DEAD is one of the few films that even though I have it on DVD, if a theater nearby is having a midnight screening of it, I will go see it. In total, I think I’ve seen it a total of 8 times in the theaters as it is just great fun. The story is simple, a group of college kids go to a cabin for a weekend of fun only to find a tape containing passages read from a professor who stayed there. He had recently found the book of the Necronomicon, roughly translated, the Book Of The Dead. One by one, the kids are turned into demons until the last one remaining, Ash, fights off his possessed friends in hopes of lasting until dawn. This is no budget, gung ho, guerilla filmmaking at its apex, and rightfully deserves its place as a horror classic. The first disc contains the widescreen version of the film, which is the same as in previous releases, but still shown in a very good transfer from the original negative. The bonus feature on the film is a nice hour long making of documentary, with some very nice behind the scenes footage taken on the set of the film. The commentary I believe is the same as previous editions, with Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert providing some very funny and insightful moments on the film. What’s most interesting to note is that the two really criticize and make fun of the film as it goes on, which shows their humbleness. The second disc is the full frame version of the film, which many fans prefer to see and has the commentary from Bruce Campbell, who always gives the goods and is amongst the best in delivering commentaries. It’s not as good as EVIL DEAD 2 with Bruce and Sam, but it’s still very funny and informative. The TREASURES FROM THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR contains never before seen footage which is a must for any EVIL DEAD fan to love. The final disc contains most of the new material constructed for this edition, and is in my opinion the best, a disc devoted to the LADIES OF THE EVIL DEAD, a long overdue retrospective from the three ladies of the film: Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, and Sarah York (now under her real name of Theresa Tilly). The documentary LIFE AFTER DEATH is very entertaining, as the three ladies discuss embracing the film after 20 years and going out on conventions together in 2003-2005, showing many highlights from the conventions and also the ladies discuss the grueling schedule of the film, proving that they were for a very long time, the unsung heroes of the film. UNCONVENTIONAL is a very fun piece, as for the first time, all five main cast members and Ted Raimi are together at a convention and discuss the convention atmosphere, from veterans Raimi and Campbell to the ladies to Hal Delrich (who hasn’t changed much) being interviewed at his very first convention, which shows how the celebrities deal with the EVIL DEAD fanbase, which over the course of the years (and something I know from experience having gone to many Bruce Campbell book signings and conventions) are amongst the most passionate and rabid there is. There is also a look at the cast reunion in Michigan for a screening which looked like it was a delight for the lucky fans who got to see it in person. Overall, the disc shows how much the cast, especially the three ladies, have now embraced their legacy in the film and accepted its place as a horror classic. In all, EVIL DEAD: THE ULTIMATE EDITION is one of the best DVDs ever constructed for a film and despite the previous releases that Anchor Bay has put out of this film, this is the best and is a must for any horror fan, and more importantly any movie fan. What EVIL DEAD really did was show that as long as you have a dedication to make the film you want to, regardless of how much money you have, that anything is possible. Just consider that as a result of this, Raimi’s last film was budgeted at $250 million dollars and SPIDER-MAN is one of the most profitable movie franchises ever, yet the first question asked to Raimi in any interview or encounter is always when will another EVIL DEAD movie be made. That’s passion, and you won’t get it any better than here. A must buy! EVIL DEAD: THE ULTIMATE EDITION: 10 Out Of 10 Maggots
|
HOME
BLOGS
|
|||
