Takes a different course than the other two.

Rating: 9/10 (26 October 1999)

EVIL DEAD was experimental horror. EVIL DEAD II just plain sucked. ARMY OF DARKNESS is a new kind of experiment. A terrific blend of action and horror.
The EVIL DEAD movies aren't really together though. EVIL DEAD II was kind of a remake and kind of not. (It was kind of confusing) ARMY OF DARKNESS takes place after EVIL DEAD II but kind of changes the ending of EVIL DEAD II.

At the end of EVIL DEAD II Ash goes back in time and is surrounded by soldiers. They say he is the saviour that will save them from the "deadites" and go HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! Ash screams nooooo!
At the beginning of ARMY OF DARKNESS Ash goes back in time and they take him prisoner.
EVIL DEAD is more of an H.P. Lovecraft type story, based on Sam Raimi's test short film Within The Woods. It experiments with Sam Raimi's facination for gore effects he had since he was a kid.
ARMY OF DARKNESS, experiments with horror and action! And the ACTION is really a must see. Sam Raimi can even Jim Varney look like and ACTION STAR with this directing techniques! It is really a style of his own. It sort of seems like he is inspired by Robert Rodriguez because they are kind of similar but far from being the same! The cute one-liners are also a gem.
I actually like this one BETTER than EVIL DEAD. It's more original. EVIL DEAD II is really stupid and makes no sense. I don't like that one. But EVIL DEAD II is where they prepare ASH for his adventure in the third outing.