Saturday 22 April 2023

Evil Dead Rise - The scoop and digest

Lee Cronin writes and directs standalone sequel.

Lily Sullivan - Beth
Alyssa Sutherland - Ellie
Morgan Davies - Danny
Gabrielle Echols - Bridget
Nell Fisher - Kassie

Summary

Caleb, Teresa and an unwell Jessica are vacationing at a lakeside cabin (obviously).

Teresa checks on Jessica, and scalped by possessed chum.

After Jessica decapitates Caleb, Teresa watches her rise from lake.

One day earlier.

Beth visits sister and single mum Ellie in her soon to be condemned Los Angeles apartment block.

When Ellie sends children for pizza, an earthquake creates a huge hole in parking lot.

Danny investigates, taking phonograph records and a mysterious book, revealed to be the third volume of Naturom Demonto, discovered by priests in 1923.

A vinyl recording quotes book's incantations, giving iconic high-speed tracking shot licence to do its thing on Ellie.

Innocence is destroyed

The brutality of Fede Álvarez's Evil Dead had me squirming in my seat.

Lightning didn't strike twice.

Having said that, I still had a bloody good time.

References tick fan service boxes and just like director's debut The Hole in the Ground, The Shining is given lots of love.

Principle of apartment block setting is identical to Demons 2, but Cronin claims to have never seen it.

Hmmm.

Whatever, similarities to video games are undeniable.

Peephole sequence is basically Silent Hill 4: The Room, and anybody who's played Resident Evil 7: Biohazard should immediately compare Ellie to Mia and Marguerite (less insect womb).

Yes I know Capcom weren't exactly ignorant to Evil Dead.  After all, Ethan's moldy wife Mia was named after and modelled on Jane Levy's character.

Beth's shotgun deprives Ellie of limbs, leading to Danny, Bridget and Deadite neighbours fusing with antagonist.

The Thing-esque end boss (the Marauder) couldn't be less intimidating and after eating chainsaw, is fed to a conveniently placed woodchipper.

The following morning, its spirit possesses Jessica, setting up opening.

Bruce Campbell has indicated future will depend on box office success.

Let's hope shit will come to fruition, sooner rather than 10 years later.

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