A Look to the Past

Rating: 7/10 (13 May 2012)

Army of Darkness (1992) is a very different film from its two predecessors. It has nowhere near the amount of horror, gore and atmosphere that the last two films were known for. However, almost everyone can agree that Army of Darkness is one of the funniest films ever made, full of great one-liners, action and special effects that make it so enjoyable. The film boasts a healthy number of fans, and is considered a classic along with its two previous installments.
At the end of Evil Dead II (1987) our main protagonist 'Ash' (Bruce Campbell) is thrown into a time portal and ends up in the year 1300 AD. Trapped in the past, and battling hoards of the undead, Ash must bring peace to the land, and find a way back to his own time.
The violence in Army of Darkness seems to have been toned down to try and gain a wider audience. This would also explain why the film was titles Army of Darkness instead of just simply 'Evil Dead III'. Army of Darkness begins with a recap of previous events, so it's possible to watch this film without having seen the first two. But is this what fans of the previous films wanted? I'm sure that some of the fans, particularly those who are also fans of the horror genre, were disappointed with Army of Darkness's family friendly approach. I know that I was slightly disappointed. However, it was the comedy that won me over. The slapstick gags were all right on cue, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't entertained. The plot is very original, not following the formula set forth by the previous films.
The special effects of the movie were very well done, especially the work on the makeup. It was convincing enough for the audience to suspend disbelief and get lost in the story. A lot of people agree, me included, that the use of CGI is overused in modern films. This is what makes army of Darkness so visually appealing, relying on the use of puppets and makeup. It's a refreshing change from the CGI we see a lot of today.
Bruce Campbell is still just as brilliant as ever, giving his character plenty of attitude and, well, character. I still have trouble deciding whether Ash is a hero, or just a man caught up in a series of great events. At times he can seem incredibly brave in the face of danger, and at others he can be incredibly arrogant and even cowardly. It makes his character more complex than the usual hero. The whole joke of Army of Darkness is that the fate of the world is left in the hands of a man whose ego is matched only by his incompetence. Ash means well, but he is far too concerned with his own problems than the big picture. Campbell is always a riot to watch, with a great presence on screen. He's definitely an under-appreciated actor.
Army of Darkness isn't as funny as Evil Dead II, which relied on satire and black comedy. Army of Darkness still packs plenty of laughs, but through the use of slapstick instead of over the top violence. The action is great fun to watch, blending in well with the humour. Sam Raimi's trademark camera work also comes into play, remaining entertaining and fresh after three films.
Overall, if you're a fan of the previous films you should definitely see Army of Darkness. It's a fun adventure, and is guaranteed to get at least one laugh out of you.