The Sequel to The Ultimate Experience in Grueling Terror

Rating: Null/10 (20 January 2003)

Horror sequels aren't always what you want them to be. Mostly,
they are just in need of desperate cash so the idea of a sequel
comes to them but with Evil Dead 2, they made a difference... 'The
Evil Dead' was a dark, disturbing and plain horrific horror movie
that had you jumping out of your seat but 'Evil Dead 2: Dead by
Dawn' is a hilarious comedy. Funny, weird and "Groovy"! This film
has it all: A man mutilating himself (funny, of course), swallowed
eyeballs, A severed hand killing people (the inspiration for 1999's
'Idle Hands') and, of course, a decapitated dancing corpse. Yes,
it's a horror movie with a difference alright and while some fans of
the original 'Evil Dead' will be dissapointed that this is less horror,
more looney tunes, others will be delighted at this film's strange
and original premise: Of taking the original film and totally flipping
it on it's head, simaliar to what 'Gremlins 2' did a few years later.
Unlike that film however, this film picks up right where the original
left off right at the very second. Ash, after a long demon filled night,
is once again attacked by the evil force in the morning and falls
unconscious. Later on when he wakes up, it is almost night and
the horror is starting again. This time, the evil is almost mocking
him to the point where they possess his hand and start killing him
with it. But Ash is soon to be joined by four others, who are also
seemingly doomed mainly by the strange demon down in the
cellar by the name of Henrietta. It's up to Ash to kick some demon
butt. For me, 'Evil Dead 2' just improves on the original but isn't
anywhere near as good as 'Army of Darkness'. Still, the film is
entertaining right up to the twist ending and for many this is the
ultimate in horror comedy. A film that has spawned endless
copycats, some excellent and some just doing it for cash, 'Evil
Dead2' is THE original.