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List Price: $19.97 | | Label: Starz / Anchor Bay
Salesrank: 6547
Released: August 29, 2000 |
| Our Price: $8.99 |
| Used Price: $6.63 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Ash (Bruce Campbell), the sole survivor of The Evil Dead, continues his struggle with the forces of the dead. With his girlfriend possessed by demons and his body parts runnning amok, Ash is forced to single-handedly battle the legions of the damned as the most lethal -- and groovy -- hero in horror movie history!
Welcome to Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn, director Sam Raimi's infamous sequel to The Evil Dead and outrageous prequel to Army of Darkness! This unhinged horror classic is now fully remastered in state-of-the-art Dolby Digital 5.1 supervised by THX and packed with extras. So, sit back, strap in and rev up the chainsaw: Evil Dead II has returned...like you've never seen or heard it before!
Description of Evil Dead II:
Writer-director Sam Raimi's extremely stylized, blood-soaked follow-up to his creepy Evil Dead isn't really a sequel; rather, it's a remake on a better budget. It also isn't really a horror film (though there are plenty of decapitations, zombies, supernatural demons, and gore) as much as it is a hilarious, sophisticated slapstick send-up of the terror genre. Raimi takes every horror convention that exists and exaggerates it with mind-blowing special effects, crossed with mocking Three Stooges humor. The plot alone is a genre cliché right out of any number of horror films. Several teens (including our hero, Ash, played by Bruce Campbell in a manic tour-de-force of physical comedy) visit a broken-down cottage in the woods--miles from civilization--find a copy of the Book of the Dead, and unleash supernatural powers that gut every character in sight. All, that is, except Ash, who takes this very personally and spends much of the of the film getting his head smashed while battling the unseen forces. Raimi uses this bare-bones story as a stage to showcase dazzling special effects and eye-popping visuals, including some of the most spectacular point-of-view Steadicam work ever (done by Peter Deming). Although it went unnoticed in the theaters, the film has since become an influential cult-video favorite, paving the way for over-the-top comic gross-out films like Peter Jackson's Dead Alive. --Dave McCoy
Evil Dead II Reviews:
Evil dead II wax fest. 
2008-11-30 - I did a blind buy on the Blue ray version, and its a good thing that I'm a fan of the movie (but then who else would buy this in any format) because the DNR makes the faces smooth and washes out most of the detail, its so clean it looks unnatural. This should be a $10 catalog buy.
Fun and Gory 
2008-11-23 - Loved this movie when it came out in the 80's. It's not scary as much as gory. Crazy chaotic evil fun. What the devil can happen to this guy next? Good for making the date squirm in her seat. There is something somewhere that will gross out just about anyone. The FX are old school but the story is a fun rollercoaster ride of demented evil. Enjoy!
Groovy.....another cult gem 
2008-10-27 - Here we are again,the eveil dead 2.if youve read my reviews for evil daed and army of darkness you should know im a big fan of this series.evil dead 2 is just like the first one with the thrills and chills we have come to love and expect.this time around ash has more dark humor and one liners(much like army of darkness)and that helps to lighten the tone a bit but by no means does it take away from the movie.all the bllod and gore you remember from the first is back,as are the deadites.overall if youve enjoyed the first part then your sure to love this one and army of darkness.and if not give a shot another because this movie is another MUST OWN for horror fans,diehard or not.
Paying Homage at the Altar of Raimi; This One's for Me.
2008-10-14 - My friends and I have spent a lot of time this Halloween season trying to dig up hidden horror gems for each other. It's been a fun ride and an expensive diversion for sure. But as the bewitching hour draws near, it is time to stop digging for a minute and pay proper respects to a film that is so widely loved that this review will simply get washed away with the tide of reviews from its adoring masses. I give you "Evil Dead II" (imagine trumpets blaring)!!
-"TURE HORROR FANS" CAN BITE MY ASH!!
Oh yea, I'm coming after you people!! It's time to open up a can of reality woopak on you!! Those of you who say a horror/comedy is not horror at all are living in some self-defined fantasy world of limited thinking. Most people in their right mind will tell you that half the fun of horror movies IS THE FUN!!! "Evil Dead II" might be the most fun normal people will have while still getting a little bit scared. So, "true horror fans", you can take your constipated narrow view of horror and drop it in the trash can man. Sorry for that tantrum. But honestly, there are so few really good, completely serious horror films that I'd die of boredom watching the same ten films over and over again. Now that's "true horror".
Indiscriminate Spoilers Ahead!!
-STAY OUT OF THE CELLAR!!
I've seen this film so many times and yet, every time Ash goes into the cellar I get a little creeped out. So yea, this film is still scary. It's not so dark with black, shere terror that you'll have trouble going to sleep at night, but it still gets a few chills from me. In fact, there are many elements in this film that set the standards for creepy camera work. Sam Raimi was very inventive here. When you see the camera (evil spirit) chasing after Ash, just think about how difficult that shot was. Never mind the scene with the trophy animals and the c.lock on the wall laughing at him; way creepy camera angles!! As creepy as this stuff is, it's all done brilliantly with a light hearted wink from Raimi.
-HOLD ON TO YOUR HEADS AND TAKE A BOW.
I need to honor the cast for making this one of my all time favorites. I tend to neglect actor for the most part. So, here's the role call.
-Bruce Campbell = Ash: Campbell and Raimi clearly have a love for the 3 Stooges and are certainly Moe schmoes. As the main man, Campbell might have the most expressive face this side of Jim Carrey. Needless to say, he is great at slapstick and has made being a horror klown, art.
-Denise Bixler = Linda: Next to Ash, Linda is the most memorable role. Even though she technically dies very early, she spends a lot of time as a head. Though hardly the queen of B movies, Denise gets huge respect for all the nastiness she endures in this classic.
-Ted Raimi = Possessed Henrietta: His price for nepotism; spending hours in a ridiculous amount of latex! What a trooper. This is a pretty darn creepy character too.
-Sarah Berry = Annie Knowby: She has the distinct honor of being the last woman in this realm that Ash lusts after. She gets pretty messy in the worst ways too. Raimi was just brutal on these people.
-Kassie DePaiva = Bobbie Joe: She's so sweet and helpful in this film. It also turns out she's a tree hugger, well, they hug her anyway.
-Dan Hicks = Jake: Dan gets to be meat.
-Rick Domeier = Ed Getley: Rick gets to be meat too.
These people didn't always distinguish themselves but will always have a place in the hearts of "Evil Dead II" fans for making this such a treat.
-IF YOU HAVE D' TIME SON, I HAVE D'WIL SON.
Well son, or daughter, or "bro" or "sis" or whatever your position in life may be, I suggest that if you haven't seen this film yet then you either don't have the time (so why are you reading this?) or the will. Get off your butt and watch this all you fans of horror!! Bruce Campbell is no George C. Scot, man. However, he is quite brilliant in this standard-bearing comedic/horror classic. You can spend your Halloween all wet while you Bob for apples, and count to 22 or you can watch one of the most entertaining films a true fan of the genre could ever hope for.
Sorry J. I couldn't figure out how to fit a single letter into this mess!!
Welcome to the evil book of the month club...
2008-08-28 - If you liked the first Evil Dead movie then this will be a nice refresher of some very similar scenarios. After seemingly escaping with his life intact, Ash is back in a cabin! I tell you that boy has no common sense but without his poor judgment who else would release demons back onto our domain? So back in the cabin - check, new girlfriend - check, recycled gift given ( necklace) to new girlfriend since the last one died - check, demon book in cabin - check, tape recorder with the words needed to release the evil - check...we are back in business! Ash gets back to doing what he knows best - unleashing havoc into the world of the living. One would think that he has joined some wicked book of the month club, where the books end up getting people killed as he's always finding them. Best part is that the action starts right of the bat, there is no sitting around waiting to be attacked and when few more people get stranded in the cabin the real fun begins.
This movie was insane, I mean bug out crazy! All the things you think you'd do in your wildest dreams come to life - horror style. Not only is Ash running in circles from the menacing evil, but his own body turns on him and starts to betray him, leaning towards the dark side. Best part was the puppets again, there were some gooey gross faces from the demonic possession due to the transformation and sometimes I didn't know whether to laugh or just watch in disbelief.
This movie felt very short in comparison but the ending was fantastic, it really sets you up for a grand finale that I can't wait to watch.
- Kasia S.
