Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (1987)
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Ash is back and so is the book (although it has a darker and larger look to it). Finally starting anew, we see Ash in the morning of the next day and trying to fend off various demons. As he is trying to survive, 2 scientists arrive on a nearby airport with new pages to the Book of the Dead and they wish to compare it to the book. They get 2 locals to help and all 4 end up finding what they see as a deranged person- just Ash being himself. The demons end up getting into Ash's hand (providing for some good stuff, ala "Dr. Strangelove") and so he lops it off - adding a chainsaw in its place. They demons go after the 4 guests and again Ash must do his best to save them. Will Ash survive and go home or will the book take him back to its origination in 1300 A.D.?
Overall: As stated above, the movie though directed by the same guy 3 times always seems to try to take the film and connect via the title and main character to the prior film, yet also completely change the ending to that prior film. Part 1 involved 5 people going to the cabin but part 2 makes the audience think it was only 2. The film starts with a narration of the history of the book (1300 a.d.) and the events which lead Ash to the house. Unlike part 1, this film shows Ash and his girlfriend (different girl from part 1) driving to the house. It skims through the possession of the girlfriend and then shows the ending to part 1 - the mysterious force attacking Ash. It also creates flashbacks to the scientist who found the books and what it contained (none of this existed in part 1). Weird stuff which for me, takes away from the movie's enjoyment capability. It found myself spending more time wondering what else they changed, as if it was the Neo-Nazi's claiming the Holocaust didn't happen, then watching the film to enjoy it. If Sam Raimi, the director, could have figured out how to direct a horror film series properly and made sure all 3 films were in continuity (like say "Godfather" series or even "Trancers"), then this series would have great promise. Instead, it makes Raimi look like an idiot. Comparison: Evil Toons meets Dr Strangelove |
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