Review of Army of Darkness (1992) by Stuart K — 01 Feb 2011

After the double success of The Evil Dead (1981) and Evil Dead 2 (1987), a third Evil Dead film was inevitable. However, it didn't feel the same as what the first two films in the series did, it does have some funny moments, but not enough of the over the top blood and gore, just alot of Medieval mud.

This has Ash (Bruce Campbell), by way of the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis (The Book of the Dead), falling through a portal into Middle-Ages England, (which looks alot like Southern California.) Ash is captured by Lord Arthur (Marcus Gilbert), who thinks Ash is working for rival Duke Henry the Red (Richard Grove).

However, the local Wise Man (Ian Abercrombie), tells Ash he can return to his own time if he can find the Necronomicon. He sets off to find it, with a double of him being created in a windmill, as well as a lot of Mini Ash's.

However, it goes from bad to worse when Ash accidentally summons the dead again, and has to bring about Lord Arthur to fight against them. Sam Raimi had alot of problems with Universal Pictures over this, they recut it in America, while international versions were different.

It has some brilliant bits of slapstick comedy, but with not as much gore. It has a good ending though that leaves the door open for Evil Dead 4, if it ever happens.