ASH VS. EVIL DEAD pilot episode review – Bruce Campbell is back in perfect form

ASH VS. EVIL DEAD pilot episode review – Bruce Campbell is back in perfect form

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Tonight, appropriately on Halloween, STARZ is premiering their highly-anticipated new series ASH VS. EVIL DEAD. It’s a sort of direct continuation of the original EVIL DEAD franchise, though (at least in the pilot episode) not directly related to the events in ARMY OF DARKNESS. Directed by Sam Raimi, the first episode of the series re-introduces Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell), now much older and a little out of shape, but still possessing some sly charm.

The opening scene finds him going out on the town looking for a willing female, which he finds by buying a few drinks and delivering a cheap line. But mid-coitus he sees something rather disturbing, the likes of which he hasn’t encountered in 30 years. Back home he slowly recalls that in a previous encounter with yet another female, he very stupidly re-opened the Book of the Dead (which he keeps in a trunk inside his motor home) and rambled off a few lines, and as we know from the movies this is all it takes to wake up the evil spirits. We then cut to Michigan State Trooper Amanda Fisher (Jill Marie Jones of SLEEPY HOLLOW fame) and her partner investigating screams coming from a house in the woods. Once inside they encounter some seriously freaky stuff, leaving Fisher scarred and under investigation by the department after things don’t end well. These two events start the overlapping stories that will carry through the first season of the show – following Ash as he tries to run from the evil he woke back up, and following Fisher as she tries to come to grips with what she’s experienced. We also meet two co-workers of Ash’s current job at a hardware store (no, not S-Mart, unfortunately). Pablo (Ray Santiago) idolizes his older friend and sees him as a heroic figure, and Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) just wants to get home to her dad after receiving a strange face time call from him. Most of the events are pretty telegraphed, especially if you’ve seen the trailers, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.

One of the main reasons ASH VS. EVIL DEAD works is because it’s not trying to pretend to be anything other than what it should be, which is a loving slice of what horror fans fell in love with all those years ago. Campbell slides right back into character as Ash, re-capturing many of the same qualities that made those original films cult classics, and adding in a tongue-in-cheek layer that shows us he too is here to have a good time. He’s definitely an older Ash, even acknowledging his physical condition and graying hair, and not afraid to utilize things like girdles and dentures. Where INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL re-introduced Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, they screwed up royally by making Indy a sort of superman, almost indestructible, which flies in the face of the fact he’s considerably older than the last time we saw him. This Ash is not that at all, he’s the same guy we know and love but definitely not in the same shape. That said, when he gets his inevitable glory moments it is a thing of beauty. I’m still not sure if the series will at any point reference ARMY OF DARKNESS, but this version of Ash is very similar to the one in that film… just more seasoned now.

Ray Santiago and Dana DeLorenzo haven’t been that developed yet, but they’re already pretty good sidekicks for our aging hero, and I love the idea that Ray’s character seems to idolize Ash while Dana’s seems to think he’s just a weirdo. We’ll see how that develops and changes as the series goes on, as there’s already alterations in their perceptions by the end of of the first episode. The Amanda Fisher story with Jill Marie Jones has also just begun, and I imagine at some point that side of it will intersect with the Ash “back in action” side. The Fisher angle also introduces Lucy Lawless as a character, though her part in the pilot is more of a cameo than a significant role, at least for now.

Having Raimi behind the camera really puts this over the top as a re-intro for the EVIL DEAD story and hero, as he brings with him his solid brand of storytelling and old school style. Certain scenes are just phenomenal and heavy on suspense. There’s a great sequence involving a dropped flashlight that’s spinning, shining on and off the action as it plays out – brilliant stuff, and definitely that clever Sam Raimi mind at work. There’s also lots of practical effects on display, and many are done quite well. Little things like light briefly shining through freshly made bullet holes adds a sparkling touch to the overall presentation. In many ways this feels like an Ash mini-movie, while at the same time appropriately setting things up for several more episodes. I’m excited to see where it’s all headed, and very happy to see Bruce Campbell back in the role he made famous. Let’s hope they can maintain the quality throughout the season, and find ways to keep pleasing the fan base while at the same time appealing to a new audience. I imagine in this day of shows like THE WALKING DEAD being all the rage, crafting a horror series can be challenging, but ASH VS. EVIL DEAD is already off to a great start.

ASH VS. EVIL DEAD premieres on Starz starting October 31, 2015

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.