Drag Me To Hell: Raimi Does It Again!

Rating: 10/10 (7 June 2009)

Drag Me To Hell is a truly refreshing horror movie that makes you tingle with anticipation, just waiting for what you know is going to be a horrific ending! The movie starts out with a Hispanic family frantically rushing to a womens house. The little boy has been cursed by the Lamia and it is his third day, also known as his last. Suddenly, the windows shatter and creepy shadows dance on the walls, somehow slapping all of the adults to the ground. The boy tries to run, and falls off a balcony. He lifts himself up and is okay, but then the floor starts to break. He is then dragged to hell.
This scene really sets up the anticipation in the movie. It makes you think "Woah! This movie is going to rock!" And yes, I suppose you could say that.
During the opening credits there are all of these deranged and disturbing pictures of what happens when someone is cursed by the Lamia, including a picture off someone being dragged to hell. I am picky about a movie's opening credits, and I think this one delivers! It sets up the mood for the movie, and gives you goosebumps! The movie then skips to Alison Lohman's character, Christine. You see her eyes peering at the Assistant Manager's spot that is still empty. She also glances at Stu, the one man that stands in her way of getting that promotion.
Suddenly, Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) is tapping Christine's desk. She asks for an extension on her home, and Christine goes to ask her boss. He's says if she wants the promotion she'll have to make tough decisions, and because of this Christine doesn't give Mrs. Ganush the extension.
This angers Mrs. Ganush, most definitely, and she puts up quite a fight until security eventually drags her out, leaving Alison puzzled. Mr. Jacks comes out and tells her that she handled the situation perfectly, which makes her beam with joy. Yet, a hint of worry twinkles in her eyes.
This is when the horror unravels. As each scene progresses, Christine grows more and more restless, which is exactly what the Lamia wants. Her boyfriend doesn't believe her, and she believes all hope is lost. The Lamia enjoy scaring the living hell out of people, and Christine is no exception. Whether its shoving her fist in Christine's mouth, or puking on her four times, the Lamia don't offer mercy.
The story line of this movie is quite good, and I'm proud of Raimi for it. His last good film was The Grudge, which didn't get as much credit as it deserved. Anyway, every scene in the movie matters, and it doesn't drag on like some movies. For instance, The Haunting in Connecticut. Every scene had scares, but eventually it just became tiresome. In Drag Me To Hell, there are scares in most of the scenes, but each and every scene actually matter in the story line.
I must say that Raimi also did an excellent job of putting comedy right where it was needed. If a scene was a little awkward because Christine saw the Lamia doing something, her boyfriend (Justin Long) would smile wearily, causing the audience to bust a gut. It was a very good blend of horror and comedy. But don't think of it as a horror/comedy like Hatchet, because the horror really is in here! All in all, Drag Me To Hell is an intense roller Coaster of scares, thrills, and nail-biting scenes! The Lamia fails to disappoint in every grueling scene, and the audience can't stop screaming! So, in the end, Drag Me To Hell is a very refreshing horror movie which leaves the whole audience cheering as the credits start to roll!