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Title:
The Evil Dead
Region:
One
Genre:
Horror
Stars:
Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Hal Delrich, Betsy Baker, and Sarah York
Writer:
Sam Raimi
Director:
Sam Raimi
Feature
length: 85 minutes
Languages:
English Stereo Sound
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 25
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1982/UMD Release: 2005
Theatrical
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Home
Video Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
“The
Evil Dead” is perhaps as important a cult horror film classic as George A.
Romero’s “Night Of The Living Dead” and just as influential upon
filmmakers too. The little film that cost $375, 000 went on to earn far more
than the film’s budget and launched the careers of Writer and Director Sam
Raimi, Producer Rob Tapert, and Actor Bruce Campbell and spawned two successful
feature film sequels and even a videogame series too. Anchor Bay released four
collectable picture disc DVD-Videos a few years ago while Elite Entertainment
released a “Special Collector’s Edition” around the same time that
featured some nifty extras that for the most part were carried over to the
Anchor Bay DVD release.
Anchor
Bay Entertainment has released “The Evil Dead” to UMD as a part of their
first wave of titles that also includes “John Carpenter’s Halloween” and
“Time Bandits.” “The Evil Dead” on UMD as it was for the THX Certified
DVD releases has been matted from the original (1.33:1) aspect ratio into 16 by
9 widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio, which means that picture information is
literally cut off from the top and bottom of the screen. The effect is actually
not bad though I am troubled by the fact that certain compositions look rather
chopped as a result. The source
material appears to be quite grainy and this grain is much more apparent on the
new (1.85:1) transfer than it was on the (1.33:1) transfer that appeared on both
the previous Anchor Bay and Elite Entertainment DVD discs. However, the colors
in my opinion are richer in the (1.85:1) transfer Anchor Bay has released. For
example, the blue button-down shirt Ash (Bruce Campbell) wears looks more
vibrant on Anchor Bay’s disc while on the previous Elite release the shirt
color appears more muted. I really think both a widescreen and full-framed
version should have been included on the Anchor Bay DVD that was released a few
years ago, but in the case of the small widescreen monitor on the PSP, this
presentation is definitely preferable.
A
clear English Stereo Soundtrack is included, but there are no subtitle options.
Having recently watched a few of Bruce Campbell’s recent films on SCI FI as
well as “Army Of Darkness” on DVD, I now no longer have any desire to see a
fourth “Evil Dead” film get made. I think Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell have
advanced far enough in their careers to leave the trilogy as is behind. I’d
rather it be left that way then have it be ruined with an uninspired fourth
film. Bruce Campbell is older now and no longer even looks like the “Ash”
character anymore than Harrison Ford looks like “Han Solo.” I also am not
even sure there is anywhere you can take the story beyond where it has already
been. While it has been denied, I have seen postings that a remake of “The
Evil Dead” is in the works, but after listening to Campbell rant about remakes
based on ideas Hollywood has mined decades ago, I have to wonder how remaking
“The Evil Dead” is any different from revisiting another genre film or TV
show for the big screen?
“The
Evil Dead” is now available on UMD for the PSP at retailers on and offline
courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2005 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
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