Creator(s) – Ivan Raimi, Sam Raimi, and Tom Spezialy
Starring – Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Army of Darkness), Ray Santiago (My Name is Earl, Accepted), and Dana DeLorenzo (Moleman of Belmont Avenue, Workaholics)
Release Date – 2017
Rating – 4/5
Evil Dead II and Army of Darknessare easily my favorite two horror films aside from Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Some of the first DVDs I bought when I started collecting was the Evil Dead trilogy. The first film is great but Evil Dead II and AoD are easily my favorites. I’ve waited years for the Evil Dead universe to expand. I’ve had some awesome comics to read centered around Army of Darkness but I needed more Bruce Campbell.
I was a little bummed when the Evil Dead reboot was announced but I quickly got over that and actually really enjoyed the film but I truly shit myself when Ash vs. Evil Dead was announced. When the show aired I watched season one as the episodes aired. Sadly, with season two I was unable to do so due to my cable provider no longer offering Starz. With the release of season two on blu approaching I was given the opportunity to review it. I eagerly jumped at the opportunity.
**Spoiler Alert**The film picks up where season one left off with Ash, Pablo, and Kelly now in Jacksonville Florida where Ash is popular among the spring breakers while Pablo and Kelly are forced to work. Ruby uses the book to raise her children and learns that they have turned their back on her and seek raise their father, Baal.
She is unable to stop them and uses a spell to get Ash back to his hometown to fight the deadites but they mistakenly release Baal and send the Necronimicon to the underworld. Pablo then starts turning into the book and uses the powers to send Baal back but is killed in the process. Ash then goes back in time to stop young Ash from reading from the book but finds Baal and 80s Ruby there and an all out war is fought in the cabin.**Spoiler Alert**
Ash vs. Evil Dead is not a perfect show. It has a hard time finding originality and giving the viewer something knew. We see a lot of the same gags and jokes recycled but the show still works. It brings a level of nostalgia that I love while continuing the story of reluctant hero Ash.
The acting in this one is great. Bruce Campbell once again bring Ash back to life and is brilliant. He is easily one of my favorite charismatic horror characters. His co-stars, Ray Santiago and Dana DeLorenzo, are great as well. I really enjoyed Santiago’s performance but sometimes DeLorenzo is a little underwhelming. Her character serves a purpose in some of the episodes while in others she is just there to keep appearances.
The story for this one follows nicely with what was set up in the first season and does an amazing job at referencing the films. The film does recycle some of the jokes and gags already shown in the films and season one but is still able to provide some new content. The jokes were funny and we dive even deeper into the Necronimicon lore.
Finally, the film has tons of on screen kills. We get a lot of CGI that does stand out but doesn’t look too bad. We also get a lot of practical effects that look fantastic. Ash vs. Evil Dead doesn’t shy away from the gore. Overall, Ash vs. Evil Dead season two is just as fun as the first season. The laughs are a plenty and there is gore everywhere. Evil Dead fans need this!
Special Features:
Season 2 First Look
Inside the World of Ash vs Evil Dead
Up Your Ash
Women Who Kick Ash
Puppets are Cute
Dawn of the Spawn
Bringing Henrietta Back
The Delta
How to Kill A Deadite
Fatality Mash Up
Commentary
