A Morte do Demônio: A Ascensão

Evil dead 2013 absolutely shocked me to the core when I saw it opening day in theaters. I wasn't a huge fan of the original 2, but that one struck me to where I watched it multiple times in the theater. Needless to say I was very intrigued at what this decade later film could offer. Luckily I was able to attend an advanced screening in my city.

The gruesome brutality is clearly what people flock to see in this franchise. Maybe somewhat of the wacky dark comedy a bit as well. This film takes a classic franchise and tries to brand it to the younger generation and it can be to a fault somewhat . At times it meanders within the rather plain story that we've seen in other possession films. All the while still providing shocking and disgusting sequences.

A great blend of CGI and practical effects still being utilized really holds the film up imo. The SFX work is also top notch . Unfortunately I cannot say that I enjoyed the cast and the way their characters are written. Sometimes it felt like more of a Netflix horror film based on the mediocre acting as well as the cliche writing. There are some moments that I cannot believe we're even put in an evil dead film . This is where a few times I was displeased. I get trying to relate to a newer generation but it was overkill.

Overall this film brings the blood and the scares and at the end of the day that's what people are there to see. I just can't help but think it's a dramatic downturn in quality from the 2013 film. If you're a fan of the franchise it's definitely a must see but I think there will be some mixed reactions.

I haven't seen any of the previous Evil Dead movies. I judged this solely on its own merits. It's well made in many ways. It starts with a really cool opening scene that had my jaw dropped. And an epic opening title shot that reminded me of Fury Road's.

The entire movie is so loud and bombastic. You could say the same about the violence. It's brutal. I love that they take full advantage of the R-rating. It doesn't hold back. I liked all of the kill scenes and carnage.

So why didn't I like this more? I have no idea. I was having a decent time. But I wasn't fully engaged or attached. My mind wandered a couple times. I didn't care about the wellbeing of the characters. It doesn't feel like something I will revisit. There are a few dumb moments but nothing too egregious. I just wasn't that into it.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday UltraScreen 4/20/2023)

Ellie is a single mother living with her three children- Danny, Brigit and Kassie- in a rundown apartment block. Her sister Beth- a guitar technician for a rock band- comes a-calling one evening. She's just discovered she is pregnant, and needs her sister's advice and company if she's to deal with the news. However, after an earthquake splits the floor of the apartment garage open- revealing an ancient bank vault- all hell literally breaks loose. Danny steals a book and a record from the vault, unwittingly summoning an army of deadites to their door, one of whom possesses his mother. Will Beth and the kids survive Ellie's undead machinations, or will the evil dead win the day?

Written and directed by Lee Cronin, 'Evil Dead Rise' is a wickedly bloody horror that is a worthy addition to Sam Raimi's iconic series. Though not as funny or as bizarre as the original three films, it is a good deal closer in tone to them than Fede Álvarez's comparatively bleak 2013 version, benefitting from bits of humour throughout. The narrative- once the first twenty minutes of exposition is out of the way- is engaging and full of cleverly implemented and inventive gore. Confined to one location, Cronin's game of deadite cat and mouse is thrilling and chilling in equal measure.

Conversely, other than Beth, all of the characters are quite one-note, with little development or backstory. The children are basically just plot devices with forgettable personalities and those outside the apartment are hardly more than shadows; ill-defined when examined under the light. Furthermore, despite a couple of unexpected moments, narratively 'Evil Dead Rise' is pretty linear and predictable. Though Cronin approaches gore with the hand of an auteur, he doesn't make his characters feel special or give us many compelling reasons to care for them. Ash Williams, none of them are.

However, on the other hand, the film really is an eyeball-popping, jaw-dropping display of bloodshed and carnage so over the top you can't help but be impressed. Cronin shares Raimi's spark for creative violence, and 'Evil Dead Rise' boasts some truly grisly scenes, involving all manner of objects. Cheese-graters, chainsaws and electrical wiring are but a few of the cleverly implemented items of destruction Cronin utilises to great effect in the film. And as in any good 'Evil Dead' project, there's a ridiculous amount of blood on screen- the karo syrup and red food-colouring budget must have been in the millions.

Under Cronin's direction, cinematographer Dave Garbett makes the most of the limited space of the apartment, capturing the brutality and carnage crisply and clearly. His use of f-stops and wide-angle lenses is immersive, while his dynamic camera movements add suspense and excitement. Garbett had cut his teeth on 'Ash vs Evil Dead,' and so was well used to capturing deadite violence and gargantuan blood levels on screen; as his consummate and assured work in the finished film shows. Additionally, the film relies on practicality over C. G. I., which makes the incredible effects throughout all the more impressive.

'Evil Dead Rise' features a fine cast, though some make more impact than others. Lily Sullivan does strong work as Beth, although the role is ultimately one-dimensional and lacking in personality. Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher and Morgan Davies face a similar fate, giving solid performances as bland, forgettable characters- though Fisher should be commended, really, given how young she is and how well she handles the material. The real stand out is Alyssa Sutherland, giving an intense, wildly entertaining performance as Ellie full of a diabolical vigour and energy. Scary, funny, crazy- not even Ted Raimi could have played this deadite as well, and that's saying something.

Although 'Evil Dead Rise' might not be in the same league as Sam Raimi's original trilogy, it's a roller-coaster of bloody chaos that's entertaining and exciting nonetheless. While the narrative isn't particularly special, director Lee Cronin's inventive use of gore throughout should have audiences enthralled. Furthermore, Alyssa Sutherland's performance as the villain of the piece is giddily over the top and utterly memorable, while Dave Garbett's cinematography is commendably stylish and the practical effects on display are awesome. To cut a long story short, 'Evil Dead Rise' is a frenzied festival of blood and guts that should leave viewers everywhere hungry for more.

Good cast, fine movie. Juvenile, not scary, unnecessary for the horror movie adult. If your looking for a good bloody movie to watch with your pre teen it's probably perfect. The script is okay, the setting is fine, the lighting is dim. I'm not sure why this movie was made. The last evil dead remake was scary and true to the genre and the original story. I know this one isn't a remake, but then who asked for that again.

Just a note to leave you with, should be common knowledge to all of us by now, never read from the weird books bound in flesh, and never take the elevators after an earthquake.

Nothing special or original,filled with tired & overdone clichés.

1. Story begins in present day to discover it was (yawn) showing events,that will follow after it rewinds hours to days before.

2. People suffer their fates due to a curse,such a boring theme after awhile.. Plus of course was an earthquake that opens,the ground or portal for mayhem to soon follow.

3. The people are trapped in someplace,where no exit seems to exist suddenly.

4. It's college kids or a single parent basically poor & in crisis,needing to survive more.

5. It's only scary if it's dark,to poorly lighted or with music to cue the movie watcher. If a movie is good,it can provide proper suspense regardless of location,lighting or music.

6. Corny dialog between characters,basically as mentioned clichéd.

7. Tons of blood or gore scenes,doesn't always mean good or creative.. It sometimes is a blinding way to cover-up garbage,so the viewer sees it as otherwise.

8. The plotholes during this,gave me a headache in basic logics.. Eg: Why did mom get attacked first? She didn't find the hidden items,bled on the book or played the records.

Because the demon was taking the elevator instead of the stairs,while traveling to the apartment? Lol.

The overall effects to make-up was ok,but have seen it all before.. Could of skipped half the movie,yet still have known all that went on.

You never got decent character development for caring about anyone,by the time things really got going the credits rolled.. But again,without fresh ideas maybe it being fast-paced was good.

I guess.. Actors to acting was ok to also feeling over-the-top,but how are you supposed to act dead or scared.

If bored or needing a mindless popcorn flick,give this a watch otherwise find another option.