To say that the remake is “anticipated” is a gross understatement. Fan sites have been up since 1997, since the Internet was in Pampers, speculating about if, then when, Evil Dead would be remade. Now that we’re at that point, let’s look at why you need to see this film.

It’s a Remake, but Different

While there’s little question that the remake will share the DNA of the old film, and a handful of plot points, it’s a different film altogether. For instance, while the “cabin in the woods” and necronomicon aspects are still present in the 2013 version, the character of Ash has been removed, and the protagonists are several teenagers who find themselves getting the short end of the stick.

But while the story is different, the style is certainly cut from the same cloth, with Diablo Cody co-writing the script to ensure that the film doesn’t lose the sense of humor and playful winking that made the original so endearing. So it’s what you love about the original, nestled in a new, but familiar story. What’s not to like about that?

This Here Trailer

If you’re on the fence about the film, this gory, gory, GORY red-band trailer should push you squarely into one camp or the other. Building on the original’s over-the-top cartoonish gore, this film takes a less playful, but no less gory approach to the explicit material, which makes it stand out as a bloodbath even by horror film standards.

In the trailer, fans will see callbacks (with twists) to the original, including sawing off the arm, the vines, and the exploding geyser of blood from the body. As I said earlier, the touchpoints of the original are there, but this film isn’t simply a reworking of the original.

Further, those thinking that this will be some lightweight, mass-marketed fare that trades on the brand equity of the original will by pleased by this trailer, which lets us know that the new Evil Dead is the real deal, and not only not watered-down, but a bolder, more intense take on the original. The fact that the film originally received an NC-17 rating solidifies this stance, though cuts were made to get the film’s final R rating.

The Reviews Are In, and They’re Good

Since making its debut at 2013 SXSW, Evil Dead has won the hearts and minds of critics, with overwhelmingly positive reviews saying that the film stands alone and doesn’t need to be appreciated or enjoyed in the context of the original, which is about the highest praise a new installment in a franchise could ask for.

With all this in mind, it’s hard to find a reason NOT to want to see Evil Dead. Unless you’re not a fan of the genre. In which case, congratulations on making it this far into the article. Otherwise, go ahead and crank up the expectations, keep an open mind and an empty stomach, and enjoy watching a whole new batch of victims get fed to the book of the dead.

The Blob

The 1980′s were a great decade for horror, and this film is one of the best. Directed by Chuck Russell (Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors), it’s a cool blend of sci-fi and horror that doesn’t pull any punches. Would you expect anything less with a script by Frank Darabont? He didn’t have much luck with zombies, but the man knows his blob. If you’re a fan of movies where you get to know the characters before they are dissolved by outer space goo, you really can’t miss this.

The Hills Have Eyes

Alexander Aja’s take on Wes Craven’s classic is just plain deranged. Very scary, totally unpredictable, and gritty. It’s one of those movies that makes you want to shower. Why wasn’t Aja put on the Nightmare On Elm Street reimaging? That film needed him.

The Fly

David Cronenberg‘s take on The Fly is probably one of the grossest films ever made. And not just because of Jeff Goldblum‘s butt. After a lab accident fuses his DNA with that of a fly, Goldblum’s scientist character slowly transforms into an arm-breaking, vomiting freak. But still likable. Like Steve O from Jackass.

Willard

Although it hardly caused a stir when Glen Morgan updated it in 2003, but Willard deserves your attention. Crispin Glover steps up into one of his few starring roles and absolutely nails it as a lonely man who finds his only friend in a murderous rat. Also, Glover got the chance to make things weird by shooting a video of his cover of Michael Jackson’s “Ben” and include it on the DVD extras.

The Thing

John Carpenter’s The Thing will always be considered the Holy Grail of horror re-imaginings. It completely eclipses the original and builds its own world which it quickly destroys in a blossom of fire and contorted limbs. The special effects were revolutionary and still some of the nastiest you’ll ever see. Today’s technology can’t stand up to it as evidenced by the prequel from 2011. Even thirty years later, it stands on its on two legs. Granted they are growing out of its head.

The Crazies

The Crazies remake is fantastic. With awesome make-up effects and really inventive plot turns, it’s a movie that just keeps giving you more without getting dull or derivative. It’s actually like six movies in one that blend together without feeling scattered. That’s not easy to do when dealing with zombie rednecks.

Dawn of the Dead

Like The Crazies, this is another George Romero update that stands well on its own. The script from James Gunn is terrifying, action-packed, and also effectively funny when needed. It was the world’s first glimpse of what Zack Snyder is capable of. Ironic that a director obsessed with slow-mo would choose to make his zombies run, but I’ve gotta let it go. I’ve gotta let it go.

He’s right. I’m sure he and Sam Raimi are both aware that they are in a lose-lose situation. The Evil Dead films are classics. To try to do anything with them will only upset the unwashed masses. Did they learn nothing from The Thing prequel? (TV Guide)

“I. Am. In. Oz. Sam Raimi refuses to tell me what character I will portray. Just know that the role is PIVOTAL.”

Bruce Campbell Sasses Living Dead at Zombie Con

But who doesn’t really?

It’s been a pretty tumultuous day for not believing Evil Dead 4 would actually happen. First, Dread Central received word that Sam Raimi‘s editor Bob Murawski is in Detroit to start work on a new Evil Dead movie. Which is news that isn’t exactly a confirmation. Then Bruce Campbell took to Twitter to say:

“Believe in the remake, dawg! The project is real. In the works. Cool as hell. Scary as hell.”

Of course it’s scary as hell. They’re working in Detroit. But that still isn’t exactly a confirmation. Then Bloody Disgusting dug up an ancient book that revealed Fede Alvarez (Panic Attack! short) has been hired to direct. So maybe this thing is actually happening. But there are still so many unanswered questions. Who will be cast? Is Bruce Campbell playing the lead? Most importantly, should we give Bruce Campbell a pass for using the term “dawg?”

Army of Darkness

Bruce Campbell being attacked by a demon ghoul

Whether you’re for or against time travel, if you’re against Bruce Campbell it’s time to go check into citizenship possibilities on other planets. Ash gets thrown back in time, gets to double his arrogance, teaches us all about the importance on high school text books and still manages to win the girl and lose the kingdom. Not necessarily a scientific portrait of time travel as it was magic that brought him back, regardless it offers vital world lessons as it’s the perfect primer on how to deal with less advanced civilizations. Army of Darkness also features a stirring treatise on confronting your inner demons and how to brutally kill them. A manly self-help kind of time travel movie.

Timecrimes

Hector with his head wrapped in Timecrimes

A definite feat of cinema, Timecrimes portrays the convoluted mess that time travel can create and yet manages to unravel it neatly. Without venturing into spoiler land, the protagonist Hector has a rough path ahead of him as he dips his toes into the past. With solid acting and a story that displays how creepy and entangling time travel can be, Timecrimes delivers so much more than its underrated movie status would make you believe.

Primer

Abe and Aaron with their error-checking device in Primer

A hybrid of science and human frailty, Primer does not dumb its concepts down to make them palatable to the audience,  and it also doesn’t bother making the characters do-gooders who have everyone’s best interests at heart. This is a film that is simultaneously confusing and understandable as the action taken by the charactersare all understandable to the the dark (and not-so-dark) parts of our brain. Although the scientific concepts behind it do require some graph paper and blood pressure medication to make your way through it, we think you will enjoy Primer.

Back to the Future Part III

Doc Brown and Marty McFly in his poncho in Back To The Future III

By the very nature of it being not just a sequel, but a sequel to a sequel, Back to the Future III already set itself to be counted among the underrated before it was even released. But forget all that because part three takes the fun of the previous films and throws it into overdrive. Future repercussions aside, it still remembers to explore how basic ideas that were once futuristic—like the bulletproof vest—can give those in the know a huge advantage in the past. But most of all it doesn’t forget the childlike wonder that time travel holds for everyone, no matter what age you’ve reached.

The Time Machine

H.G. Welles at his time machine

The original film from 1960 points out the flaws of man with an ergonomic office chair and umbrella hybrid. Underrated time travel at its best as the one thing that decays a film’s place in the collective conscious is the passage of time and it’s been more than half a century now. Despite effects losing their luster, The Time Machine explores the ignorance of humanity and how it breeds potential evil from the witch trials to the Eloi people who are content to trade being a food source in order to live lives without worry. The perspective remains sharp even in the present and serves as a concise lesson on the perils of growing complacent in our acquisition of knowledge.

Now Campbell has had a chance to respond.

“NEWSFLASH: We are remaking Evil Dead. The script is awesome. I will be one of the producers and possibly play the milk man.”

Oh, so that means it’s a done deal and we can all expect to see it go into production really soon?

“In all honesty, we would all love to make another Evil Dead movie. When that will happen? Who can say – we’re all working on other jobs right now. We’re not trying to dodge anybody’s questions, there just isn’t that much to talk about. The remake’s gonna kick ass—you have my word.”

DAMMIT! Now I’ll have to turn to Japanese cinema in order to get my fill of scenes featuring tree rape. (Reddit)

/Film reports that Tapert offered this in the way of an update:

[An Evil Dead reboot is] possible; we’re looking at a script this month… What’s interesting about ‘Evil Dead’ is very few people saw it in the format we made it for, which is for the theater. … I think Sam wants to embrace the ultimate experience in grueling terror and see it remade for a proper theatrical experience.

At least for our sanity’s sake, he didn’t once use the word “gritty” when referring to the reboot. Despite the fact that Raimi wouldn’t be directing, he originally had expressed that he’d like to work on a new script for a non-reboot, but now it sounds like his preference is to oversee the process in more a nebulous capacity. I’m never one to be cynical of a Sam Raimi project, but it sounds like the powers that be in the Evil Dead series have been listening more to the noise made by the internet and less to common sense. Seeing as how this is all conjecture, let’s all overreact to it. RIGHT NOW.

In honor of Bruce Campbell‘s birthday, Sci Fi Wire designed some Bruce Campbell’s soup labels. Make sure you read all the fine details. I’m big fan of the second direction on the can of Cream of Darkness: agitate with boomstick.

Check out the labels after the jump…