Test screenings occur often in Los Angeles. And normally I write them off for a number of reasons, notably, because the film is usually not finished. Also, they're a pain in the ass to attend (and often a drive asking you to get to the theater early and endure traffic). I do go sometimes, though. I shut off the "work" mode and partake in the screening as a curious horror fan. Yet when a persistent man on the street hands you an invite and that invite is to the latest Sam Raimi horror film you do
not ignore it. So, last night, this writer - a rabid
Evil Dead nut - slinked on over to Burbank where the director's latest
Drag Me to Hell played to an audience for the first time.
As the film is still wrapping post-production, I'm not offering a full review here, but I will set down some extremely positive thoughts. But before I do, a quick note: This was the first screening I attended where they did not enforce some non-disclosure agreement. Peculiar and tempting bait for myself and the other salivating journos I saw in the crowd eager to dish their thoughts on Raimi's post-
Spider-Man foray into the genre that kicked off his career. I'm cognizant full reviews are out there for
Hell at the time of this writing; I'd like to reserve a proper critique until I've seen the finished product. Still, if you're like me, you'd probably like to know what the buzz is like on the film.
For the most part, it's unanimous: When it comes to horror, this film proves Raimi
has not lost his touch.
Not by a fraction.
Drag Me to Hell is an achievement in the fact that it's PG-13 and
scary (the film made me jump several times) and, better still, an original story. Not a remake. Not a sequel. Simply a balls-to-the-wall tale about a young woman whose life is shattered by a curse placed upon her by a vengeful gypsy. It pushes the boundaries of its rating with some first-rate fright gags, it features a taut, smart script and there are amiable characters to invest in. Alison Lohman's Christine is a character you feel for. That you root for, more importantly.
This is Raimi going old school in more ways than one with scenes that hark back to some of our '70s faves as well as his beloved
Evil Dead series (the séance sequence here is out of control). Shocking, fun, evil but counterbalanced with choice Raimi humor,
Drag Me to Hell is an absolutely terrific studio horror picture. And I loved the temp score which called upon, I believe,
The Bird With the Crystal Plummage and even a few vintage Universal monster movie music cues (Chris Young is in line to do the actual soundtrack).
I walked away from last year's Comic-Con presentation with mixed thoughts. A teaser emphasized humor over scares. But this isn't a comedy. Make no qualms about it: This is a
horror film first, and a damn good one at that. It doesn't need to be rated R and there's not feeling that the story is being forced into a PG-13 box.
Drag Me to Hell is the perfect reflection of an ambitious director who departs the genre to fine-tune his craft and try on other stories. He then returns to horror with a matured eye, applying the things he has learned and demonstrating that the fresh edge that put him on the map in the first place has not been lost.
Raimi sat in the crowd with us. Amongst many fans wearing a myriad of horrors shirts (from
Army of Darkness to
Maniac). He was in good company and they rewarded him with screams, laughter and applause. Afterwards, I met up with him in the lobby with a few colleagues and he seemed delighted to hear we gave the film a thumbs up. His reaction, in fact, could have been construed as relief.
No worries, Sam, you done great.
As for you, dear readers, be excited. May 29th cannot get here soon enough.
Comments
Posted by: francesco on January 28, 2009 at 06:04:59
sounds cool, and the picture above rmindes me too old evild dead days.
Posted by: Mattkoz980 on January 28, 2009 at 08:28:41
I can't wait however though isthere like a teaser trailer or something lol anyway ca't wait and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Raimi do a Evil Dead 4
Posted by: Joey on January 28, 2009 at 09:57:54
Ryan, did they confirm when the full trailer will come out? It should be around this time right?
Posted by: portalcomics on January 28, 2009 at 15:00:30
good to hear Raimi hasn't lost his horror chops!! can't wait for this!!
Posted by: Idioteque... on January 28, 2009 at 15:14:43
Did he put Bruce Campbell in it lmao?
Posted by: Mulebrews, LLC on January 28, 2009 at 15:56:45
Fantastic news (sigh of relief). I can now add this to my list of Must See Horror Films in 2009 (next to The Children and Grace). Original horror is set to make a comeback...I can feel it.
Posted by: Doctor Splatten on January 28, 2009 at 16:04:43
Enough said. I'm there.
Posted by: ico on January 28, 2009 at 17:46:12
Yeah Bruce Campbell would be great in this. He should have this have some kind of connection to Evil Dead like one of the characters is the sister to one of the victims to the deadites or have the necronomicon in the background of a scene or something. It doesnt have to be anything blantant, just a wink to the fans.
Posted by: CCR on January 29, 2009 at 05:30:58
sounds very cool, i hope he gets around to that evil dead remake too, love the original, but would really like 2 see it remade w a budget, lol
Posted by: Steven Millan on January 31, 2009 at 16:13:19
Sounds like a very cool return to horror for Sam Raimi,for I'll be looking very forward to seeing it.
And hopefully,it won't get lost in the Summer '09 film season(since it looks like it's being released between J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" and "Transformers 2").
Posted by: ico on January 31, 2009 at 22:17:37
CCR
Actually from what i hear, the remake idea is dead (or undead?) and theres better chance of a sequel. Infact i've heard him and his brother Ivan are writing it.
Posted by: joshua on February 1, 2009 at 00:59:08
dude i love his movies and i can't waait for this and if he does do an evil dead four he would have to put bruce in it just wouldn't be right, but the one thing i wonder is if hes still working at the shop.
Posted by: ico on February 1, 2009 at 02:20:48
Atleast they're not doing something cheesy like having it be in 3D.
Posted by: MagnaderAlpha on March 2, 2009 at 23:34:24
See, if horror is done right, it could be PG-13 and STILL be scary as hell. The thing is, most of the time, ESPECIALLY now, horror is almost NEVER done right. You have directors almost always pushing for the R-rating just to add tons of boobs and gore to compensate for what skill they lack. You have PG-13 horror that doesn't know how to handle itself and usually ends up as a tame mess of "things that could've been". Y'know what's the perfect word to sum up modern horror and the majority of people behind it: "antsy". Perfect word! It takes time to craft quality. And over that time you gain valuable wisdom of the craft. Everybody just wants the quick cash in, the quick way to make something. I trust Raimi and I'm DEFINITELY going to see this movie!!
Posted by: Saad on March 3, 2009 at 15:12:45
Oh,great,more PG-13 horror poop. I will wait for a non pansy cut of the movie I guess.
Posted by: christopher nolan on May 24, 2009 at 05:57:39
how does Sam Raimi's **** taste Ryan rotten?
Posted by: christopher nolan on May 24, 2009 at 08:42:12
look at that ico is sucking rotten and raimi's ****!!
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