A fun and violent movie that isn't as disturbing as many make it out to be

Rating: 7/10 (10 September 2014)

The Evil Dead is a fun movie. It's strange to say that, but it isn't scary and its violence only adds to its humour.
The movie never has any real "jokes" in it; it simply has great timing. Everything in the movie is timed so well that it makes it hilarious. The difference between a horrifying death versus a hilarious death can just be a matter of seconds. This gives the movie a very unique flavor. Most black comedies usually get humour from violent/scary things happening and the main characters not reacting to it. However, this movie doesn't quite do that. The main character definitely react to death and violence; however, something always happens (due to timing) to detract from the horror of the scene.
One such example is when the main character decapitates someone and the body falls on the character and bleeds into his mouth. Under normal circumstances this would be horrifying (and the main character is definitely scared) but because of the timing and the fact that "A decapitated body coincidentally landed on the character and is spewing blood directly into his mouth for a long period of time" makes it hilarious. The movie's gore is a major part of its humour. It's over the top.
The movie's premise is actually entertaining enough. By today's standards it is incredibly cliché. Even for it's time, the whole "Friends going on vacation in the woods" scenario was a cliché, but not nearly to the degree that it is today. The movie's "lore"--what little of it is revealed to the audience--is still more well developed than most horror/possession movies. While not a lot is revealed in the movie, you can definitely feel as if there is a bit more to the story that has to be revealed.
The acting is good in the campy sense. It is supposed to feel kind of generic/campy. Overall, the cast is most entertaining when either being possessed or when reacting to something in horror...
All in all, The Evil Dead is a very entertaining horror comedy. It isn't really scary and it isn't hilarious. It is simply a creative horror film that did very well with its budget restraints. The violence is done mainly to comedic effect.
7.5/10