Nato: A HORROR REMAKE THAT DOESN’T SUCK?!
OK, based on newer knowledge we know Alvarez’s Evil Dead is actually a reboot leading to a franchise of its own, but still, he did something so many directors have failed to do by rehashing already successful source material beloved by hoards of fans, and still creating a kick-ass movie that lives up to the original hype. I mean, we all know the cult following behind Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise, probably one of the most cult-worshiped horror franchises in history, and we know how remakes have been disgracing the horror films of yesteryear we all know and love – so history and trends were not on Fede’s side.
But f*ck history and f*ck trends, because Alvarez confidently attacked one of the most iconic cult horror franchises and spun his own take on “cabin in the woods” type horror to create a film that not only lives up to current horror expectations, but standards set by Raimi himself. The atmosphere, tension, ridiculousness, horror – Fede grabs so much inspiration from Raimi, yet absolutely gives Evil Dead his own unique touch. He defied the odds by taking risks, learning lessons from Raimi’s original material on what works and what doesn’t work, absolutely owning classic material some deemed sacrilegious to alter.
I stand by a claim in my review of Alvarez’s Evil Dead which states the following: “Alvarez made the film Sam Raimi intended to make, only Fede was given the appropriate budget.”