Army of Darkness (1992)

 

Groovy.

Few films are as cult as this one. Heck, few movies are as insanely quotable from start to finish. So thank you, Sam Raimi, for making this one so absurdly excellent.

Is it the best film ever made? No. But it sure as hell is one of the most enjoyable and memorable ones. 

Following immediately on 'Evil Dead 2', we find our hero Ash in medieval times being taken prisoner by sir Arthur (not that one). Makes sense, as Ash' appearance and demeanour are quite awkward for the period. After being dropped into a pit and fighting off two monsters, it seems as though there was some kind of prophecy (of course!) that Ash would put an end to the Deadite plague that haunts this land.

He really just wants to get home. 

He has to retrieve the Necronomicon, but flubs it and in doing so releases a Deadite army led by his evil version, who desperately wants the book to rule the world.

Can Ash rise to the challenge and stop the menace? Will he be able to return to his own time? Will he get the girl?

There is such a progression through the three films. The first one is straight up low budgeted horror, the second is a horror comedy and this one is pretty much slapstick all the way, yet each and every entry is a hoot to watch. Seeing Ash become a rather reluctant loser/hero who has all the best oneliners is so riveting, and there is little denying quite a number of lines have slipped into the vernacular. A lot of that is thanks to the undeniable charisma of Bruce Campbell, who once again puts himself through quite a lot of abuse (although maybe a little less than in 'Evil Dead 2'). Almost everything is played for laughs but that is fine, you just can't keep repeating yourself over and over.

Hear that, Hollywood? Stop making every sequel a watered down version of the same story time and time again. Try something different, won't you?

The inventive camerawork that Sam Raimi already used from the start is back here, coupled with a love for stop motion (something tells me the classic 'Jason and the Argonauts' is one of Raimi's favourites, considering how many skeletons wander around in this one). 

What's more to say? You'll either absolutely love this one, or don't get it at all. But you should give it a watch, as this is a pure definition of a cult classic. 

Hail to the king, baby.