Do you remember the first time you saw an Evil Dead movie? With Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness, Ash Williams wormed his way into our hearts. While the franchise started with a more serious approach, the franchise soon became a mix of horror combined with Bruce Campbell's charm and wit. After the 1993 movie, fans wanted more. Despite having numerous volumes of comics and video games, it was never enough. None compared to the true beauty of Evil Dead or was enough to satisfy our cravings. With the 2013 remake, it felt like we wouldn't be seeing Campbell as Ash again.
We were wrong. Starz is giving us an Ash vs Evil Dead series and things couldn't be better.
Simply put, I had a big grin on my face the entire time watching the first two episodes. Actually, there were some moments I wasn't smiling--when things started getting a little tense or gruesome. The show hits all the familiar beats you would expect. There are some moments the vibe or situation starts feeling a little familiar but it acts as more of a reminder that the show is in safe hands.
Ash continues to be our bumbling and reluctant hero. Perhaps bumbling isn't quite the right word. When the situation calls for it, Ash will easily stand up at the plate and unleash his Deadite-killing skills. It just happens to be his fault the Evil Dead has been set free upon the world once again. But nobody's perfect.
As thirty years have past, you get the immediate sense of what Ash has been up to. His monster-hunting days may be behind him but deep down, he'll be ready if necessary. Still working as a stockboy (at the Value Stop instead of S-Mart), Ash tries leading a normal life. He has aged some but tries his best to remain as groovy as he ever was.
Even though Ash would be enough to carry the show, he's not alone. We do get other characters to work with Ash and to feed into the story. Ray Santiago plays Pablo, Ash's coworker who looks up to him, Dana DeLorenzo is Kelly, Pablo's neighbor who gets pulled into the action, Jill Marie Jones is State Trooper Amanda Fisher who is on the hunt for Ash after she comes across a bad situation linked back to him, and Lucy Lawless as the mysterious Ruby (who told us her connection to Ash when we spoke with her at New York Comic Con). We get a very well-rounded cast and they all have plenty to add to the show.
There's a good mix to the look and special FX of the show. There are definitely some cheesy parts, but that's exactly what you would expect. Some things look better. The action of the Deadites varies from your typical actor wearing make up to some crazy harness and stunt work to make them move all over the place during an attack. The vibe is very similar to movies. You have some great Sam Raimi moments such as when the trio is sitting in Ash's trailer and start looking around as they hear a noise outside. There's some really good stunt work as well. The fights are amped up and the kid gloves are off. You'll notice some CG blood but there's also a lot of actual blood. By "a lot," we mean A LOT. Again, it's what you would expect and want. Maybe it's a little over the top at times but that's fine with me.
The show maintains the comedy and horror feel. We get plenty of Ash being Ash. You'll find yourself chuckling by some of his antics. The elements of horror are present as well. There's a reason this show isn't on network television. There's plenty of language, situations, and graphic violence that will appease fans of...those things. Because of the immaturity at certain times, being contained in a half-hour show really works to keep things from getting too silly or even too gruesome. Based off the first two episodes, each one contains a pretty good plot to carry the episode but is still tied to the bigger, overall story.
Obviously the show won't be for everyone. Someone that's never watched any of the movies might find it difficult to jump into the adventures of Ash and friends. When things start leaning towards the comedic or cheesy nature, it's the fondness or nostalgia for the originals that make it feel like this is exactly like everything should be. It's no wonder the series has already been renewed for a second season even though the first episode hasn't premiered yet.
It may have taken over twenty years for Ash's story to continue but it's definitely been worth the wait. We may be in a more modern age of story telling and television show production but Ash vs Evil Dead has captured the vibe fans would demand. There may be a slight imbalance with some of the different effects but it can be overlooked for the sheer joy in seeing the Evil Dead back onscreen. The story for Ash to come out of retirement makes sense and the show has a great supporting cast. If you enjoyed the previous adventures of Ash, you'll find yourself with a big old smile on your face...except when people are turning into the undead or getting chopped up. But even then, you'll be smiling a little on the inside. Ash is back and it almost feels like he never left.
Check out our cast interviews from NYCC HERE. Ash vs Evil Dead premieres on Halloween at 9:00 ET/PT on Starz.