Evil Dead 2 (1987) ****

Evil Dead 2 is a weird film being that it re-makes the first film during the first 10 minutes of what I call the "Last Time On..." moment. I know people call the film a total remake, but it's a sequel ala Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, which you could also consider remakes of the original.

Bruce Campbell returns as Ash who ends up spending a second night in the Tennessee cabin from hell. This time the doctors daughter, an assistant, and two bumpkin locals show up and the hilarity ensues. yes, i said the hilarity ensues because Evil Dead 2 is more like a slapstick horror film that will give you more chuckles and the occasional scare thrown in. This is the film that made Bruce Campbell a star as he beats himself and hams his way into the vortex of hell.

Sam Raimi has a lot more to work with this time around as the special effects and camera work are more modern instead of the piecemeal work on the first film. Those shots that kids see in the Spider-man films started with this film as Raimi works his cabin throughout the small, confined space of the cabin.

Evil Dead 2 would have been called The Three Stooges Meets Night of the Living Dead Exorcists if Larry, Moe, and Curly had lived long enough. It's one of those movies that crosses genres and that's why it's developed the cult following it has. It's one of those rare sequels that equals it's original source material.