Having fun with the Devil. Sam Raimi's modern masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (6 September 2009)

Do you know what is to drink some beers and party with prostitutes with The Devil? Me neither! But watching this movie should be the closest thing to hanging with The Devil. Oh, through "Drag Me To Hell" Sam Raimi forces the evil spirits to have fun with you and scare the crap out of you at the same time.
Sam Raimi's contemporary masterpiece demonstrates that he's an authorized voice in Horror. He managed to create the perfect film and without noticing maybe, he started a revolution in the genre.
Let me explain myself...
He created a non-stop Horror ride supported by brutality, gore, chilling scenes and without earning the infamous "R" rating. Where do I wanna get? He proves that fear and craziness in the likes of his masterpiece "Evil Dead 1 & II" can be created without following the tendencies of the new millennium. Raimi follows his own rules and adds the necessary elements in order to create a modern masterpiece. He didn't give a crap and inserted black humor and bizarreness into a straight Horror story.
He's the only Director capable of making you laugh nervously and be scared at the same time.
But the black humor doesn't means this movie isn't scary. On the contrary, this is one of the most chilling visual experiences in years. Sure, you will laugh a lot but you will be equally scared. Let's keep in mind that the movie deals about an ancient evil spirit and the devil so that should give you an idea of how scary things will get.
We get a thrilling exorcism sequence where you will cry in joy because it feels and smells like "Evil Dead". Milo dancing and grunting is just as terrifying and chilling but funny at the same time. I can't praise enough the violent moments such as Sylvia beating the hell out of poor Christine, or the tool shack fight. Oh, and I loved the cursing possessed goat! That was truly spectacular and creepy.
Sure, there are plenty of "jump out of your seat" moments but all of them are simply spectacular. You just don't expect them and that's how this movie will scare the heck out of you. For example, you don't see coming when Sylvia is lying next to Chris in bed, or what about Sylvia's appearance in Chris's cellphone? Pure genius! The whole Lamia explanation is creepy and is executed masterfully. Whenever the Lamia decides to make an appearance you are gonna get owned.
I praise Raimi's directing techniques. His brilliant use of shadows truly scared me because he knows that the things you can't see will make your mind originate scary thoughts but at the same time, he hits you in the head with diabolical appearances through f/x and sounds. Expect to be chilled.
The acting is excellent, top class. Allison Lohman demonstrates she has the wood to become the female Ash. She's so cute, perfect, slim and delivers a strong performance based on comedy and badass drama. Adriana Barraza steals the show whenever she comes as the medium who had "unfinished business" with The Lamia. Way to go for the talented Mexican actress! The rest of the cast is brilliant and it looks they were having a good time filming their parts.
The score is haunting and proves that evil sounds will always work. Yes, we have evil laughs, trepidant sounds, and it's so great that you can forget for a while about "join us" or "dead by dawn".
But nothing is 100% perfect. I didn't like the CGI at some points. When some is dragged to hell it looks particularly cheesy. Also, some dialogs feel way too much "Spider Man". But those are just minimal flaws.
Read my words, this movie will become a referent in future Horror. It's not a new way of film making, it's Sam Raimi's Horror.
Thanks again Mr. Raimi for this evil-wicked Horror ride. It's better than a diabolical roller-coaster.
I'm ready to be dragged!