Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2011)

Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil starts like any other backwoods hillbilly horror movie. A group of beer loving college kids are off to the woods for some partying. On their way they stop at a rural gas station. And here is when it all twists around. The narrative focus leaves this group of clichéd teens and joins a hillbilly duo. These aren't some inbred, stupid, weirdos. Tucker and Dale are smart, loyal, and play off each other with the kind of comrade usually reserved for buddy cop action films. They genuinely care for each other. As events unfold a series of comical misunderstandings leave the teenagers thinking that Dale and Tucker are out to kill them. As they begin to protect themselves, they inadvertently start offing themselves. The film is hilarious in its presentation of these antics, and Dale and Tucker's reactions are simply priceless. We are also treated to a sweet blossoming love story. If the film is guilty of one thing, it's that it pushes its premise too far and it runs out of steam towards the end. Despite this, Dale and Tucker is an original look at the horror genre, and how preconceptions can be harmful, even deadly. A lovely little treat, especially for those familiar with the genre.