The Evil Dead and Bruce Campbell hold a special place in my heart, so much so that I am yet to see the latest Evil Dead film. I have however just wrapped up the new TV series from Rami and Campbell, and god damn is it good.
I was concerned when I first heard about it. Maybe, in an attempt to make it more palatable to a wider audience, they would 
decide to do away with the ridiculous over the top gore, instead opting for tasteful blood spurts that (rather than covering the entire set in red gloop), only trickle slowly down an actor’s chin. Thankfully, Rami stayed true and there’s even more ridiculousness, more body parts and a lot more gore than the original trilogy.
Bruce Campbell is, of course, by far the best thing in the series. He’s the same character, but a bit more jaded because of everything he has seen and done. When we first reunite with him, its 30 years since the events of the original trilogy and he’s living in a trailer and working at ValueShop. Ash starts to notice evil stirring around him and we learn through flashbacks that, while stoned, Ash opened the Necronomicon and recited some words to a girlfriend. Through the course of the episode, more evil happenings occur and deadites begin to appear, forcing Ash to return to his old chainsaw-wielding past.
The series follows Ash, along with companions Pablo and Kelly, as they try to first outrun the events and then face them head on by destroying the book. They are followed every step of the way by policewoman Amanda and the mysterious Ruby – played excellently by Lucy Lawless. Ruby is a fantastic character, entertaining and beautiful to boot. Together they make an interesting, funny and heartfelt cast, though it took me an episode or two to begin liking Pablo.
I won’t give away details of the plot, because you should all go and watch it and discover for yourselves. Watching the first two Evil Dead films is probably advisable, as (obviously) a lot is referenced, but the third film can pretty much be ignored. It’s amazing and hilarious don’t get me wrong (and had the immortal “this is my boomstick!” line), but doesn’t quite fit in with the timeline of everything else.
The best thing about the show is how they’ve managed to retain the B-movie nature of it, while having a lot of funding and a great cast. The dodgy make-up and flimsy sets might be gone, but they’ve been replaced with good materials that are just as hilarious and insane. Packed to the brim with cheesy one-liners, inappropriate comments to women, and a lot of creepiness (from both Bruce Campbell and in a dead beginning to rise kinda way), this is pure greatness in TV form.
I was surprised at how much the emotions of the characters were explored – it’s not just killing stuff and reading out of books covered in human skin, oh no, there’s actual character progression and emotions too.
A second series has been announced, and I for one can’t wait for it to air. While I’m here, I’m going to plug Bruce Campbell’s autobiography again, If Chins Could Kill, as it is a fantastic insight to the behind the scenes of the original trilogy. I’m hoping Campbell might bring out another book, now that we’ve revisited one of his favourite characters.
It has also been nominated for the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards in 3 different categories – Best Television Series, Best Actor on Television (Bruce Campbell) and Best Supporting Actress on Television (Dana DeLorenzo).
northernfool 