Re-birth of the horror genre

Rating: 7/10 (13 August 2013)

I reviewed the original Evil dead movie a couple of months ago saying it defined the horror genre in its essence. I had no real expectation that the remake would do the same, only this time, it re-defined the genre.
The story. Actually, an interesting element of the entire movie. It actually has a story. Something deeper and more meaningful that the original. Even though it is not very complex and multi layered it gives the movie another dimension, something more than being just a meaningless horror flick. The "cold turkey" element is the one I am talking about. It almost gives one a chance to see the events and perceive them from a different point of view - a medically provable point of view. Furthermore, the movie itself is divided into three parts. The first part is a bit fuzzy and not really well connected but one can neglect that if not a lot of attention is paid. The first sequence remains a bit of a mystery, and only the people who saw the original Evil dead will know what that was all about. Now, if targeting new audiences and introducing the evil dead franchise to a new generation, this could/should have been better explored through the movie. The second half is the gory one. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It is more disturbing than it is ugly or bloody (and believe me it's bloody), so the actual emotion is not disgust, but terror. The O-my-God-what-is-about-to-happen-now kind of terror. And when you see what happens you simply can't believe what you just saw. It does hold you on the edge of your seat and it gets the job done - it terrifies you to the bone. But, the real masterpiece is the third part. Not the longest one, not the goriest one, but surely the most entertaining one. All that was missing was the iconic Slayer song/album playing in the background.
The music. Interestingly, it followed the original recipe: keep it simple. The music fits perfectly into the sequences, it literally grinds you from the inside while you are witnessing the horror on the screen, but the most fascinating part was the siren. It was used a few times, and every time the timing was perfect. It was like an injection of panic and adrenalin straight into your heart, and the emotion it creates is indescribable. The atmosphere is what made the original a cult classic, and the atmosphere is what makes this remake so good. Of course, the music contributed to that, in my opinion, more than everything else.
The gore. This movie is full of it. Especially in the second part. The thing is, a single Tarantino movie has more blood and gore in 30 min than this movie has in total, but the claustrophobic space the characters are in and the amount of time that passes in between two bloody sequences is so short one has a feeling it is the bloodiest movie ever made. So, if you can look pass the gory part you will understand what makes this movie so horrific/terrific. But the gory elements will satisfy even the most hardcore slasher movie fans.
The acting. Really nothing to say here. Absolutely clichéd characters with one that stands out - Jane Levy. She has a nice future ahead of her if she continues like this. No landmark or iconic roles in this movie, but still, they get the job done.
Overall, is Evil dead the most terrifying movie you will ever experience? Actually, yes. The experience is like no other movie you will ever see of this type (except for the original movie). It scares you to the bone by using clichéd elements in a way you haven't seen so far, dare I say, that you will never see again. It follows the original concept, but is enhanced by the effects available today. If Sam Rami made The Evil Dead in 2013 instead of 1981, this would be what it would have looked like.
This remake should be a warning to all horror writers and directors that this is what horror movies should look like. As the original film defined the horror genre by using elements that were later on segregated into different sub genres (possesion, slasher, psychological etc.), the remake redefines it, showing the world it can still be scared in the way Sam Rami once intended - Evil dead scared.