Drag Me to Hell reviewed
Drag Me to Hell marks writer-director Sam Raimi’s long awaited return to the horror genre. Raimi has worn the producer’s hat for such hits as The Grudge, Boogeyman, and 30 Days of Night but the last time he was behind the camera for a genre flick was 1992’s Army of Darkness, the concluding chapter of his career-launching Evil Dead trilogy.
The Evil Dead trilogy is, of course, an undisputed cult favourite, an offbeat horror series that wasn’t afraid to be wacky. It’s an acquired taste, and the same could be said for Drag Me to Hell. Raimi’s latest isn’t quite as off-the-wall as Evil Dead, but it also isn’t the dark, sombre experience so many cinema goers have come to expect of contemporary horror films.
Drag Me to Hell is a horror film with a sense of humour firmly intact. And for the most part, this well-made movie is a lot of fun. There are plenty of scare moments, and the audience has many opportunities to holler in disgust at the assorted body fluids that regularly ooze and spurt across the screen. It also helps that the film’s performances are solid and appealing all around.
Alison Lohman successfully carries the film as kind hearted loan officer Christine Brown who, over the course of the film, reveals herself to be a lot less sweet and passive than she initially appears. A remarkably well rounded character for a horror film, Christine has apparently been battling adversity for a while – struggling to prove to those around her she’s no longer the plump Southern farm girl of her youth. When a repulsive elderly gypsy, Mrs Ganush (Lorna Raver) curses her, Christine puts up a fight. With just 3 days to go before a malicious demon consumes her soul Christine will do anything to rid herself of the curse; even sacrificing her kitten with a carving knife if needs be.
Justin Long meanwhile provides a warm, reassuring presence as Clay, Christine’s incredulous but still supportive boyfriend. Long’s character doesn’t have much to do besides hold Christine’s hand, but he is a solid example of what Christine stands to lose should the gypsy’s curse be fulfilled.
Like the vast majority of horror films, Drag Me to Hell does get overblown towards the end, although the usual grating silliness is more prominent in its third quarter than its final 15 minutes or so. Once again, though, it boils down to an issue of taste. I honestly could have done without a demonically possessed man performing a jig in midair, or a cartoonish scene where a dropped anvil causes someone’s eyeballs to literally pop out. Although these moments are fortunately rare, the Looney Tunes tone they inject into the film is very jarring. And they prevented me from suspending my disbelief and just succumbing to the fun.
I’m wary of recommending Drag Me to Hell to everyone. If you like the Evil Dead movies, or are sick of overly serious horror films, with gloomy colour palettes and gruesome subject matter, you will probably have a very enjoyable time. If you prefer your horror without any goofiness, then you may want to give this one a miss, or at least wait until it pops up on TV.
The Evil Dead trilogy is, of course, an undisputed cult favourite, an offbeat horror series that wasn’t afraid to be wacky. It’s an acquired taste, and the same could be said for Drag Me to Hell. Raimi’s latest isn’t quite as off-the-wall as Evil Dead, but it also isn’t the dark, sombre experience so many cinema goers have come to expect of contemporary horror films.
Drag Me to Hell is a horror film with a sense of humour firmly intact. And for the most part, this well-made movie is a lot of fun. There are plenty of scare moments, and the audience has many opportunities to holler in disgust at the assorted body fluids that regularly ooze and spurt across the screen. It also helps that the film’s performances are solid and appealing all around.
Alison Lohman successfully carries the film as kind hearted loan officer Christine Brown who, over the course of the film, reveals herself to be a lot less sweet and passive than she initially appears. A remarkably well rounded character for a horror film, Christine has apparently been battling adversity for a while – struggling to prove to those around her she’s no longer the plump Southern farm girl of her youth. When a repulsive elderly gypsy, Mrs Ganush (Lorna Raver) curses her, Christine puts up a fight. With just 3 days to go before a malicious demon consumes her soul Christine will do anything to rid herself of the curse; even sacrificing her kitten with a carving knife if needs be.
Justin Long meanwhile provides a warm, reassuring presence as Clay, Christine’s incredulous but still supportive boyfriend. Long’s character doesn’t have much to do besides hold Christine’s hand, but he is a solid example of what Christine stands to lose should the gypsy’s curse be fulfilled.
Like the vast majority of horror films, Drag Me to Hell does get overblown towards the end, although the usual grating silliness is more prominent in its third quarter than its final 15 minutes or so. Once again, though, it boils down to an issue of taste. I honestly could have done without a demonically possessed man performing a jig in midair, or a cartoonish scene where a dropped anvil causes someone’s eyeballs to literally pop out. Although these moments are fortunately rare, the Looney Tunes tone they inject into the film is very jarring. And they prevented me from suspending my disbelief and just succumbing to the fun.
I’m wary of recommending Drag Me to Hell to everyone. If you like the Evil Dead movies, or are sick of overly serious horror films, with gloomy colour palettes and gruesome subject matter, you will probably have a very enjoyable time. If you prefer your horror without any goofiness, then you may want to give this one a miss, or at least wait until it pops up on TV.
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