Ignore the butt-hurt fan-boy reviews

Rating: 7/10 (21 August 2013)

If these reviewers had their ways anybody who even considered remaking a movie from the Evil Dead series would be publicly executed. Though I understand how die-hard fans of the original could feel that way, I don't think this remake deserves 1 star. The original was, and still remains, a genre defining classic, but to blatantly trash this movie simply because it didn't quite live up to the original is a little ridiculous.
For the most part the story is generally the same as the original, the main difference being the protagonist is female.
I think that Fede Alvarez was a great choice to direct. The fact that he is a huge fan of the original shines through in many scenes of the film. He has carefully placed many nods to the original throughout.
The cast is admirable with Jane Levy being the only recognizable face to me in the lead. Having only seen her Suburgatory, I was shocked and blown away by her performance here.
The gore is through the roof compared to the original. There are some cringe worthy moments here and there but they aren't so over the top that they come off as cheesy or laughable.
The cinematography was pretty impressive as well. There are plenty beautiful yet creepy shots of the misty woods surrounding the cabin that, along with the films score, do a great job of setting an uneasy tone.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who even loosely considers them self a fan of horror. Is it going to change your life or the way you look at cinema? No. It's simply an entertaining modernized reworking of a genre classic, and if you keep that in mind I don't think you'll walk away from this movie regretting you saw it. Give it a chance.