EVIL DEAD vs EVIL DEAD - Original or Remake?
The original Evil Dead movie, released in 1981, and the remake, titled Evil Dead, released in 2013, share the same basic premise but differ in their execution and style. Here's a comparison of the two films:
-
Story and Premise:
- Original (1981): The original Evil Dead follows a group of friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods and unknowingly unleash demonic forces after playing an audiotape with incantations from the Book of the Dead.
- Remake (2013): The remake follows a similar plot, where a group of friends goes to a remote cabin and discovers the Book of the Dead. As they read from the book, they awaken malevolent spirits that possess them one by one.
-
Tone and Atmosphere:
- Original (1981): The 1981 film had a low-budget indie feel and leaned heavily into horror-comedy elements, blending gory scenes with dark humor. It had a campy and over-the-top style.
- Remake (2013): The 2013 remake aimed for a more serious and intense tone. It embraced a darker and grittier atmosphere, focusing on building tension and delivering visceral scares.
-
Visual Effects and Cinematography:
- Original (1981): Due to budget constraints, the original film relied on practical effects and stop-motion animation. It featured a significant amount of gory makeup effects and used creative camera angles to enhance the horror.
- Remake (2013): The remake had a higher budget, allowing for more sophisticated practical effects and the use of CGI. The film featured realistic and graphic depictions of violence and gore, with an emphasis on practical effects over computer-generated imagery.
-
Directing Style:
- Original (1981): Directed by Sam Raimi, the original Evil Dead had a distinct visual style known as "Raimi-cam" or "shaky cam." This technique involved attaching the camera to a piece of wood and having crew members run with it, creating a unique, disorienting effect.
- Remake (2013): Directed by Fede Alvarez, the remake utilized a more traditional style of filmmaking, focusing on steady camerawork and polished cinematography. It relied less on innovative techniques and more on creating a visually striking and disturbing atmosphere.
-
Reception and Legacy:
- Original (1981): The original Evil Dead gained a cult following and is regarded as a classic within the horror genre. Despite its low-budget origins, it became a cult sensation and spawned two sequels and a TV series: Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992) Ash vs The Evil Dead.
- Remake (2013): The remake received generally positive reviews for its commitment to horror and gore. It was praised for its impressive practical effects and the dedication to honoring the spirit of the original while still offering something new. Although it didn't reach the same cult status as the original, it was commercially successful.
In summary, the original Evil Dead and its 2013 remake offer different experiences to viewers. The original is known for its campy horror-comedy style, while the remake focuses on intense and graphic horror. Both films have their own unique charms and have left an impact on the horror genre in their own ways.
In my humble opinion, you just can't improve on the 1981's Evil Dead. For the time, the original was jut that...ORIGINAL with Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi. You can't top it. I give the remake credit for not trying to imitate and give something new while not going CGI overload.
This blog is sponsored by B.L.Tees, your source for good ole fashion horror movie tees and more! www.bltshirt.com