"U.S horror, with uruguayan raw material"

Title: Evil Dead 

Year: 2013 

Genre: Horror 

Director: Fede Alvarez 

Writer: Fede Alvarez, Diablo Cody and Rodo Sayagues (written by), Sam Raimi (1981 screenplay) Runtime: 91min 

Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth Blackmore, Phoenix Connolly 

Produc.: FilmDistrict, Ghost House Pictures, TriStar Pictures 

Budget: $ 14 million approx. 

In Evil Dead, five friends who arrive at a cabin to intervene a young drug addict, end up becoming victims to a demon with macabre plans.

1981 was for Sam Raimi, a very good year. Having made several short films with friends, he had formed Reinassance Pictures with Bruce Campbell and Robert Tapert, with whom he would make a picture based on his short movie Within the Woods (1978). Without much money, but with creativity, they would release what would be a success, both in audiences and critics, and then that story would be extended into two more installments. Evil Dead would thus become a cult movie. 

Some time later, with the wave of remakes was born the rumor of a new version. Bad news for the fans, who would claim that their film was not touched. 

And here is where I appear to take advantage of my "non fanaticism" and describe it for what it really was. In fact, far from an "unbeatable product", but yes, very well conceibed, for the time and the little money. Raimi himself would say, how he would like to see the classic remade with the new tools. 

Switching to uruguayan ground, nobody would have imagined that after Drexler, another fellow were to draw the american´s attention. This time, not to be awarded, but for something much better: to surprise in Hollywood, with a video clip, get a multimillion dollar contract and get the chance to direct a remake that caused controversy. 

But Álvarez would not only have the opportunity of a lifetime. According to his statements, the now director of Spiderman (2002) had placed in him his confidence, also as a writer, along with two partners. 

With the production having been completed, then it would reach the movie theatres, with a very good reception from the public in general. 

For my part, I would say that, technically speaking, this version surpasses its predecessor, but otherwise, I was disappointed. 

Unlike the original, now there is an argument that it is more solid. It is not about going to a cabin to have fun, but there is a much more serious reason: to save Mia (Jane Levy) from drugs. To which her brother and friends force her to get rid of her pills, after which Mia begins to suffer withdrawal. 

Right away, they find in the basement an ancient book. Then Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) is set to read it, in a language that is alien to him, and unwittingly summons a demon of bad temper. In a moment of desperation Mia escapes in the car, has an accident and is possessed, kicking off the nightmare. 

As I said before, this remake is a luxury of effects, but wich do not save it from getting stucked in only that. With correct interpretations, what we have is a feast of screams, deaths and amputations, for the lovers of the morbid, and where, one by one, the youths begin to fall, but without being, nothing else, to consider noteworthy. 

Álvarez, who plays with characters, who at first do not distinguish between a demon and altered girl, makes it clear that he has got no more surprises left. The film is faithful to the task of disgust, but sins for being square in everything else. That is how it became impossible to me, no to think: "this, I have already seen it before.". I think that, with more suspense and showing less, it would have been more effective at the momento of achieving what whith me, it could not: to scare me. 

Given that the screenplay does not stands out from the conventional horror, the film entertains, but like so many others have already done it. 

I got very much excited when I heard of its first repercussions, whereas now I wonder if a US director would not have done the same and with the same quality. 

Despite the above, and because it is a filmmaker, born in my country, I wish him all the success in the world. 

My rating: 6/10

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