If "Ash" is your primary concern for this movie, then I suggest you don't see it.

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2013)

First of all, I am a huge fan of the original EVIL DEAD, and when I heard it was being remade, sure...I had reasonable doubts. Everyone will...and classics should be left alone...unless handled by well known directors, specifically horror ones. Take an example at the original "The Hills Have Eyes". Now...since I saw Aja's "Haute, or HIGH TENSION..etc SWITCHBLADE ROMANCE" I honestly didn't have any worries because he showed and created such a strong and disturbing impact with that film.

I just saw EVIL DEAD as it recently arrived at my local cinema, and boy...the bloodshed, the extreme violence and carnage...the movie won't disappoint you when it comes to graphic violence. Now we all know the original EVIL DEAD was in it's own way a black comedy...it wasn't truly scary...but the other things made it a true classic...a horror gem. This remake does certain things a different way (I won't spoil which).

Before heading off to the "GOOD" and "BAD", I'll just mention one thing (one little thing that several people are probably cracking their heads open out of anger...because they just can't see with reason.) There is no Ash...no Bruce Campbell...sorry everyone. But people...honestly, he can't play the same character again...it's not the 1980's anymore, jeez! And if they picked another actor or renamed the already casted one to "Ash"...would you be upset then? Of course you would...only Bruce Campbell can portray Ash, right? Well, I do agree with you...on some level...but give the other actors a chance. The acting in this movie was great...no one was terrible or anything close to that. So stop beating yourself up and posting rubbish nonsense about how you won't see it "no Ash, no cash" and other crap. Guess what? No one gives a damn...it's not an opinion, it's "lashing out", out of stupidity...you cannot realise that something, sometimes can't go your way.
Now the GOOD points.

The GOOD -The opening scene is great, in a way like "DRAG ME TO HELL" but with less, or should I say no humour at all. Chillingly well done.

The music in the film is absolutely incredible...capturing the essence of dread and isolation spot on, not to mention the beautiful and dark cinematography. This is the true highlight throughout the entire film.

The characters are developed well (not perfect) but they aren't one dimensional either. Stupid at times (a lot, yes) but you care about them...at least I did. And they had a reason for going out to the cabin (unlike the original where it was just pointless). The main character's sister is/or was since she sweared not to do it anymore, a drug addict. And you can really feel the chemistry between the actors (especially with David and Mia) - The violence in the film is extremely graphic, bloody and gory to HIGH heaven. I won't tell any of it, but just know...dismemberment is this movie's mother. And another excellent thing is the lack of CGI...great prosthetic usage and good makeup effects. Congratulations for not using CGI...it would greatly distract everyone and it would look ugly and terrible.

The overall atmosphere is really beautiful at the beginning (not the "very" beginning). When it comes to jump-scares, yes...you can expect some of them...but some come out completely at random points. So I really don't have any issue with this film's "jumpy moments".

Now there is plenty of great stuff to write down from this film, I just wrote the main ones / the ones I considered to be truly great.

The BAD

Honestly...not that much. There are far worse remakes to horror classics. I don't think I have to mention them.

Sometimes I think the pacing could've slowed down and develop the character more...so what if it's slow-ish, at least you get to know the people that are gonna get brutally sliced and dismembered.

Some of the effects (like the vomiting for instance) looked weird and tomato soup like...the expired kind. Also some bad CGI is present if you look closely at severed body parts / areas in some scenes.

The ending was rushed and was kind of cliché. But at least there is a awesome chase sequence.

And that's it...um, for the BAD points. I won't mention more, because to me...there isn't any. I loved this EVIL DEAD and I still love the original of course, but I certainly won't forget this one as it was a complete joyride of terror and gruesome violence and images.
GIVE it a chance...when you see it...when you consider renting it (if not for yourself, but let's say for watch with a friend) have an open mind and don't have a speech bubble floating above your head that contains "Ash, Ash, Ash". Because then...you really are lost in time and space.
PS: David, Eric, Mia, Olivia, Natalie (Don't you just love the way they named the characters) ^_^