Ten things you need to know about this film.

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 2013)

The facts:
1) The film is produced by Sam Raimi who was the producer/writer/director of the original and Bruce Campbell who played the lead role of Ash as well as produced the original film.
2) The film is directed, however, by newcomer Fede Alvarez and this is his first feature film (much like the original was Sam Raimi's first feature film).
3) Fede used no CGI for the production of this film. Much like how the Bourne movies benefited greatly from utilizing no CGI, this decision pays off big time for the 2013 Evil Dead as all the scenes came out looking hyper realistic.
4) The camera work and overall cinematography is simply first rate which is truly remarkable given that it's Fede's first feature length film.
5) There is more exposition in this film than in the original Evil Dead. We're treated to a prologue scene as well as given more detailed back stories for the film's central characters. This was the only decision I really questioned. To me, back stories and explanation and all that are irrelevant to begin with and takes away from the realism. Individuals in real life horrific situations aren't going to be near as concerned with why they're in that situation as much as they are with how the hell they're going to get out of it. That's my one and only beef with the re-make. The time spent on exposition was time wasted in my opinion.
6) The comedic element is much darker and much more borderline than the original. While the original was filled with seemingly unintentionally comic scenes, this remake is filled with scenes so dark it's hard to tell if it's intended to be black comedy or not. "Are you serious?" is a question you'll likely find yourself asking at various moments. An example of this is a scene where it is discovered that one of the characters has amputated their own arm and then calmly states, "I did it, I feel much better now." A fan of the original should recognize the humor both in it's nod to the original films and in the ridiculousness of a character who just amputated their own limb claiming that they're "better now". However, given the hyper realism of the amputation and it's bloody aftermath, this and many other examples of dark comedy may be lost to some moviegoers, especially those unfamiliar with the originals. The characters make dumb decisions because the original characters made dumb decisions and even though the consequences seem much graver this time around given the films gritty realism, it's still funny as hell to watching these stupid kids make stupid decisions.
7) To those fans anxious about "who is supposed to be Ash's replacement", Fede gives a definite answer with a twist. I won't spoil it as it provides a pretty good plot twist to fans of the original films, but I will say that the decision I believe was truly inspired. Some fans inevitably didn't approve but as a die hard fan myself, I loved it.
8) If you're not familiar with the original films some aspects, including the aforementioned twist, may be lost to you. Since the original film was the basis for what has become modern horror movie tropes, those unfamiliar with the 1981 film may not appreciate the 2013 takes on all these tropes. Without the original, Fede Alvarez's Evil Dead may come of as simply a bloodier more gruesome version of a typical horror movie. And in many ways it is, but that's because the original Evil Dead set many of the standards for what is now consider to be typical fare for horror movies these days.
9) If you've seen the original films but didn't like them, then you probably won't like this one much either. Go read the late Roger Ebert's review of the film. He didn't like the original Evil Dead much either and gives a pretty accurate view of how you'll probably feel about the 2013 version.
10) If you're a fan of the originals, then you'll be doing yourself a grave disservice by not seeing the 2013 version in theaters. Even if you don't enjoy the film as much as I did, true fans of the franchise need to go see Sam and Bruce's newest addition, otherwise you're not a true fan.