Groooooovy!
That dreaded Irish winter isn’t too far away and, with that, you’re going to need a new box set to get stuck into.
Here’s why Ash vs Evil Dead on Virgin Media could be just the thing for you.
It’s very loyal to the original trilogy.
Sam Raimi’s 1981 classic, The Evil Dead, is one of the most influential horror films of all time; directors like Peter Jackson and Edgar Wright have hailed it as one of the films that inspired them to pick up a camera, and we’re delighted to say that 35 years on, Ash is back and the show really does capture what made the original trilogy so beloved.
Ash vs Evil Dead is brimming with over-the-top gore, wacky set-pieces and and witty one-liners. Variety perfectly described it when they said that “it’s goofy, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and certainly feels well-calibrated to a very particular appetite”.
Season 2 of the critically acclaimed show has just premiered and it’s definitely worth checking out, in fact, Season 1 currently has a rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75% on Metacritic.
Ash is one of the best anti-heroes around
It’s not The Evil Dead without Bruce Campbell and you’re going to get a giddy thrill from seeing him whip some Deadite ass once again. Campbell has been a long-time Raimi collaborator and he’s also an executive producer on the show, so you know that you’re in safe hands.
Not much has changed since we last saw Ash in Army of Darkness – OK, his waistband is a little bigger because Ash has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility and maturity – but with a new Deadite plague threatening to destroy all of mankind, there’s only one man to call.
Before you ask… the shotgun, car and chainsaw are all here.
There will be blood
Sam Rami’s original was actually banned in Ireland at the time of its release because of it’s levels of blood and we’re delighted to say that Ash vs Evil Dead is absolutely brimming with gore, gore and more gore.
If something can be used as a weapon then it most likely will be.
Deadites, evil dolls, possessed grannies, bloodthirsty critters and of course, the Book of the Dead, are all vicious pleasures here. Death by decapitation, stabbings, impalement, fire, shotgun, chainsaw and everything else is a gruesome gift.
You’re going to absolutely love the cartoonish violence.
The direction and camerawork
OK, we’re being very geeky, but fans of The Evil Dead will know that the trilogy was innovative in how it used the camera. Crash zooms, quick edits, aerial shots and shaky cam effects were all used.
Sam Raimi directs the pilot of Ash vs Evil Dead and Michael J. Bassett, director of the hidden gem that is Solomon Kane, is also on board.
The expanded universe
As much as we love Ash, it’s very hard to develop a show that just revolves around one character, and the new additions to the Evil Dead universe fit the world perfectly.
Pablo is the comedic foil who plays off Ash perfectly while a trio of kick-ass women, Kelly, Ruby and Amanda, are more than capable of looking after themselves.
Both seasons of the wonderfully addictive Ash vs Evil Dead are exclusively available on My Prime from Virgin Media.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
