Unlike peanut butter and chocolate, horror and comedy do not usually blend together in such a tasty manner. Most attempts tend to lean further to one genre than the other. This would lead to a confused mess, reminiscent of some of your more low-budget zombie hooker ventures. Director Sam Raimi, however, would beg to differ with the laws governing the universe’s handling of such situations. And for good reason: He’s one of the few director/writers that are able to walk this perilous creational tightrope and live to tell about it.
“Drag Me to Hell” marks Raimi’s return to the genre that brought him early success. 1981’s “The Evil Dead” is the work that propelled Raimi, and the film’s star, Bruce Campbell, into cult-icon status. It was Raimi’s use of low-budget effects, great camerawork and laugh-inducing horror that combined with the film’s plot to produce a horror classic. His producing credits and work on the “Spiderman” series have catapulted him into the upper leagues of writer/directors, but it was always this simple foray to a woodland cabin that marked Raimi’s genius in my eyes.
“Drag Me to Hell” tells the tale of Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), a marginally timid loan officer for a Californian banking institution. Christine is in line for a promotion but needs to impress her wormy boss Mr. Jacks (veteran character actor David Paymer) by being able to make, as Jacks says, “the tough decision.” Enter Mrs. Ganush.
Lorna Raver portrays Mrs. Ganush, an elderly gypsy woman behind on her mortgage payments and in dire need of an extension from the bank. Christine decides to use this opportunity to go against her nature and show Mr. Jacks her true mettle — in retrospect, probably not the best choice of her young life. When Ganush pleads for Brown’s help, her refusal is taken as a great shaming in Ganush’s, eyes and she vows revenge. This revenge is served in the form of The Lamia, an ancient and horrifying curse. The Lamia will bring forth a demon that torments the cursed for three days before dragging their soul to burn forever in hell. Basically, your normal work week in the banking industry.
Lohman is superb as the conflicted Brown. She handled everything Raimi threw her way with the same panache as Campbell. Raver, too, was exemplary in her role as the ancient gypsy Ganush. The conflict between the two characters is brought consistently to horrifyingly, hilarious life, from their first meeting to film’s end. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Lohman’s work was her ability to handle the constant barrage of Nickelodeon-inspired, gore-soaked carnage delivered by Raver under Raimi’s dubious direction. A quick word to those using this as a date film: This isn’t dinner-and-a movie material. Lohman’s survival of this portion is itself award-worthy, but her descent into madness draws the obvious comparison to Campbell’s “Evil Dead” character Ashley “Ash” Williams and is just as strong as his iconic descent into lunacy. Perpetual guy-next-door, Justin Long gives a textbook Justin Long character showcased by his cheery smile and Saharan sarcasm.
The film’s biggest flaw is also its greatest strength: Sam Raimi and “The Evil Dead.” At movie’s end, the film is a female-helmed version of that horror classic. Of course, there are differences in the storyline, but at the root of the film is that same terribly ordinary individual forced to believe in the unbelievable. We then alternate between startled gasps and guffaws courtesy of Raimi, as we watch them cling to the few remaining strands of their sanity.
That small glitch aside, I recommend the film to those equipped to handle it. Don’t send the 11-year-old to kill 90 minutes while you shop, or I can promise a few sleepless nights for both of you. The PG-13 rating is warranted, as the film is the cinematic equivalent of a really great theme park ride: It’s a little uncomfortable at times, but even that elicits a nervous chuckle as you speed toward the more dangerous portions of the ride. You will be treated to an old-fashioned thrill ride that delivers on its promise of entertaining and pays homage to classic Hollywood while whisking you along in its fun-filled wake. Now if you want something truly horrifying, get yourself ready for the Raimi-approved and produced new version of “The Evil Dead.” I ask you, who produces a remake of their own iconic film? Alas, if we could only send the old gypsy woman to Mr. Raimi’s home.
Rating: W W W 1/2
| Tweet | Follow @wkdr |
|
|
