BY SEAN EGAN | Alright, ya primitive screwheads, listen up. You see this? This is a brand new Blu-ray edition of “Army of Darkness.” S-Mart’s top of the line…
For both fans of and newbies to the cult classic, the timing of Scream Factory’s new edition of “Army of Darkness,” the third film in writer/director Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” trilogy, could not be any better — Halloween is just around the corner, as is the premiere of “Ash vs Evil Dead,” the highly anticipated Starz network television series sequel to the film (premiering Oct. 31).
The trilogy’s plot centers around one Ashley “Ash” Williams, a simple man who works in the housewares department of S-Mart, and has an uncanny penchant for unleashing demons and waking the dead. In the first two installments, Ash (and various unfortunate comrades) unwittingly read from the Necronomicon (the book of the dead) in a secluded, non-descript cabin, unleashing ancient, evil spirits that raise the dead and violently possess people (known as “deadites”).
“Army of Darkness” picks up after Ash, while attempting to subdue the evil forever, accidentally time warps to the Middle Ages, shotgun and chainsaw-arm in tow (it’s a long story). The film chronicles Ash’s subsequent culture shock, and, as per usual (for him at least), his epic battle with the deadites and the forces of evil, in an attempt to stop them for good and get back home.
The film has held up incredibly well since its release in 1992, in large part because there’s nothing else quite like it. It’s easy to see why it’s become so beloved, and (arguably) the most popular installment of the series with a more general audience. While hardcore horror fans may prefer the more sincere scares of “The Evil Dead” or the gonzo gore of “Evil Dead II,” “Army of Darkness” is the most palatable film of the bunch — everyone from the squeamish horror novice to the genre flick expert can find something to enjoy.
It’s certainly more of a straight-up comedy than any of the others, and its goofy, intensely physical sense of humor — not to mention its standalone nature — are amongst its strongest assets. Raimi’s signature hyper-kinetic direction helps to render the zippy, quippy script (co-written with his brother, Ivan) into what amounts to a live-action slapstick cartoon. He’s aided in this feat immeasurably by some still-stunning Ray Harryhausen-inspired practical effects, as well as his leading man, Bruce Campbell. With the good looks of a matinee idol and the rubber-faced commitment of the Three Stooges, Campbell is a singular, charismatic presence — and his work here solidifies Ash’s position in the pantheon of iconic horror characters.
Of course, plenty of people are already intimately familiar with the movie’s charms — and plenty of these obsessive fans already own it in one form or another. Over the years, various cuts of the film have been released dozens of times on home media, and it’s often been frustrating for fans to parse out which edition has what cut of the film, let alone get their hands on the one they want.
What Scream Factory (Shout! Factory’s horror imprint) has done with this collector’s edition is produce what is as close to the definitive edition of the film as possible. The three-disc set brings together all four official cuts, with all their various quirks and footage, into one package for the first time. The most common cuts are present and accounted for — both the breakneck-paced US theatrical cut, and the more cohesive director’s cut (which adds back 15 minutes of footage) look great (aside for a few grainy passages in the latter). Most impressive here is the international cut, which looks excellent with a new 4K transfer, while the so-called “television” cut is amusingly presented in academy ratio and standard definition.
And if collecting all the various cuts isn’t quite enough to satiate the most die-hard fan, the folks at Scream Factory have included some sugar to sweeten the deal, baby. Spaced out over the set is a whole host of unique special features — the centerpiece of which is a brand new, feature length documentary. It’s a handsomely produced piece, featuring interviews with much of the creative team, including Campbell (but unfortunately not Sam Raimi), and extensive archival footage — an amusing and illuminating watch. One can choose to dive further with other new, extended looks at the visual effects, interviews, and storyboards. Also included are many of the essential extras included on past editions, such as commentary by Campbell, Sam and Ivan Raimi on the director’s cut, and a number of older behind-the-scenes featurettes. Plus, it’s all wrapped up alluringly in a slipcover brandished with new, beautifully pulpy artwork.
And so, this Halloween season, fans both old and new are heartily encouraged to do the right thing and shop smart — shop Scream Factory, and add “Army of Darkness” to their collections.
“Army of Darkness” Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is now available via Scream Factory. To purchase ($26.97), visit shoutfactory.com, or other major retailers.
