Ash Vs. Evil Dead premiered last year and the series started off with a bang. The Evil Dead franchise is beloved by many horror and gore lovers the world over, and Ash's return has been something that we've been waiting years for. The reboot/remake of the original, renewed interest back in 2013, and since then masses have been demanding the Army of Darkness sequel that we've all be waiting for. Fast forward to 2015 NYCC, where I got my first taste of the much-anticipated sequel series. I was enamored and I think if you were a fan of the movies that you would be too. Here are a few reasons why you should check out Ash Vs. Evil Dead, if you're a horror fan.
1. The Gore is Superb
Ash can kill Deadites no matter what tools are given to him.
One of the best parts of the original series of films was the over the top gore that was showcased. From Ash cutting off his own possessed hand with a chainsaw, to a wave of blood covering Ash when he opens a door, the blood comes by the buckets. The remake of the series upped the ante with some of the most twisted effects ever put to film. The Ash Vs. Evil Dead ups the ante by making every episode a bloodfest. There is a perfect blending of practical and CGI effects. While sometimes the CGI stuff can look bad because it is a low budget show, the practical stuff is always on point.
2. The Humor is Perfect
Ash still has it after all these years...with a little help from his trusty girdle.
The humor in the original trilogy was another reason that is was so beloved. Ash gets into a fight with his own disembodied hand and antics ensue. The wit is like a macabre Three Stooges episode, with eye pokes and slapstick abound, The over the top gore also adds to the humor. Buckets of blood make for loads of laughs. Ash's bravado is also fodder for many jokes. He is convinced that he is the best at everything, but constantly fails at most things. Ash is also a self-proclaimed ladies man and is very hit or miss with attempts. The entire plot of the show revolves around Ash's latest blunder, in fact. You'll be laughing the entire show.
3. The Callbacks to the Original
Ash Vs. Evil Dead is as faithful to the originals as possible. Ash's possessed hand comes back to torment him further. There are locales from the original films as well as nods to the events from them. The show is a nostalgia trip and without spoiling too much I can tell you that the twists and turns of the first season are fantastic. It's also no spoiler to say that since there is a second season (currently airing on Starz Sundays at 9 PM EST) Ash doesn't get his happy ending. This is part of the fun and season 2 is promising more callbacks and mysteries from Ash's past revealed.
4. Ash is the Best
No caption needed for that image. Bruce Campbell is in his career-defining role as our titular hero. His egomaniacal personality and bumbling attitude is what makes us love him. Raimi and Campbell have crated Ash's character to perfection. Ash behaves just as you would expect him to and the genius of the writing is that he hasn't learned a damn thing over the past 30 years. He is still the same brash, impulsive, rogue that we all fell in love with. Most characters show growth and development over time, but not our Ash. In fact, that is one of the things the series does best. It is getting Ash to realize that when he makes a mess he can't always sweep it under the rug. He knows that he is the best man for the job of sending deadites back to hell. Although he is beginning to embrace this, he still tries to take the easy way out often, which is true to his character. I eagerly anticipate every episode and I encourage you to check the show out too, it may just surprise you. HAIL TO THE KING BABY! ASH IS BACK. GROOVY!
