Classic & Camp Films - reviews by Billie

(1992)

"Trapped in time.  Surrounded by evil.  Low on gas."

The last in the trilogy of "Evil Dead" films takes Bruce Campbell's character, Ash, into 1300 A.D., in an even more over-the-top (if you can believe that's possible - well, anything is possible with Sam Raimi) adventure. He has to fight  "Deadites", to retrieve the Necronomicon, so he can return home.  As always with Sam Raimi/Bruce Campbell collaborations, the result is endlessly quotable, with favorite sound bites being the classic "This is my BOOMSTICK!"

The film is basically a very simple plot centered around medieval-themed action sequences. The shoot proved to be overwhelming in many unexpected ways, the stunts and fight scenes, which take up the bulk of the film, proving to be problematic, originating with Campbell's lack of any horseback riding experience.  Horseback riding, staff, and sword lessons were necessary.

"Army of Darkness's" original running time was 96 minutes long, with a depressing ending - the final version is 81 minutes, with a happier finale. In addition, Bridget Fonda, a fan of the series, asked for a small role and portrays Linda, Ash's girlfriend - her part was created for the new beginning and ending.

The long-time friends (they met in high school) and collaborators Raimi and Campbell were given a much larger budget, after the success of the film "Darkman", and included many more stunts than before, testing Campbell's patience, physical strength, and agility. As Campbell himself says in his book "If Chins Could Kill - Confessions of a B-Movie Actor", it "became an awkward challenge of reconciling high school with Hollywood." Fight scenes were carefully choreographed, including a battle with skeletons - an obvious homage to Ray Harryhausen's classic scene in "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963).  It's a fun film full of great one-liners, as were the first two films in the series.

"Army of Darkness" is screening as part of the Cool Classics at the Colony series (proudly presenting 35mm for all their films, with classic trailers before the show) and will be showing on Wednesday, March 21st, at 7:30pm at The Colony, at 5438 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. (919) 856-0111.  Tickets are $5.50 at the door (The Colony is cash-only).