Director Sam Raimi’s 1992 film, Army of Darkness is the third entry of the Evil Dead franchise, and the last to star Bruce Campbell in his iconic role of Ash Williams until the 2015 Starz series, Ash vs. Evil Dead. Originally planned as the second film in the series under the working title, Medieval Dead, Army of Darkness was a true passion project for its creators.
The third Evil Dead film ramps up the themes of the previous entries, making it a spectacle to behold. Although its greater emphasis on comedy and overall tonal unpredictability polarized critics upon release, Army of Darkness without a doubt showcases the Raimi-Campbell duo at the top of its oddball horror-comedy game. Here’s why it may be the best of the Evil Dead franchise.
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Perfects the Franchise’s Signature Blend of Horror and Comedy
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Comedic elements have always played a role in the Evil Dead series, from the subtle Three Stooges references in the first film, to the zany slapstick violence of the second film. In fact, Raimi is known for blending his wry wit into most of his movies, as evidenced by his defense of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 3 dance. With Army of Darkness, Raimi fully embraces his affinity for campy comedy, loading the script with jokes and slapstick that make the film feel significantly more lighthearted than its predecessors. Although comedy takes precedence in Army of Darkness, the horror elements of the original films are retained and expanded upon as well. Hilarious moments of slapstick humor are juxtaposed against a dark, gothic atmosphere and scenes of the undead rising from their graves. The film proves that comedy and horror are not so different, and are, in fact, complimentary. Instances where the humor elevates the horror (and vice versa) are frequent throughout the film, such as when Ash chooses the wrong Necronomicon, resulting in his face stretching in a scene that is equal parts disturbing and Looney Tunes-esque. The film is a perfect balance of horror and comedy, making it one of the best horror-comedies of the 1990s.
The Cast and Crew Were Firing on All Cylinders
Army of Darkness finishes the trilogy out with a bang, yielding a bigger budget, grander spectacle, and better acting and special effects than in the previous films. Coming off the success of one of the best superhero horror movies, Darkman, Raimi was offered a considerably larger budget than he’d ever had to fund his third Evil Dead film. According to Den of Geek, Raimi was given more than three times the budget of Evil Dead II to make his trilogy-concluding film. This resulted in Army of Darkness featuring large sets, impressive scope, and awe-inspiring battle sequences reminiscent of Victor Fleming’s Joan of Arc. Actor Bruce Campbell shines as the arrogant hero; the film provides him with ample dramatic scenes, comedic bits, and action choreography to show off his acting chops. Additionally, the film is brimming with top-notch creature effects, miniature work, and stop-motion animation that make it a joyous horror-comedy extravaganza.
Represents the Peak of Sam Raimi’s Style
The first two films of the franchise showcase the development of Raimi’s signature frenetic style. By the time he got to make Army of Darkness, Raimi had perfected this style. His camera whirls around with an unhinged yet confident swagger, each snap-zoom and POV camera chase enhancing the story and the overall mood of the film. The camera essentially becomes a character in its own right, as do the creepy forests, gothic castles, and restless graveyards that it captures on film. Raimi compliments these formal elements with a unique tone, presenting a heightened sense of reality that lures the unsuspecting viewer into his darkly funny nightmare. The director’s sense of style and visual storytelling abilities are at their all-time best and are on constant display in Army of Darkness.
Ash Williams Becomes Ash Williams
In the first movie in the franchise, Ash is the tepid survivor of the demonic bloodbath that befalls him and his group of friends. In the second movie, Ash plays a reluctant hero to avenge his demon-possessed girlfriend. In Army of Darkness, the most iconic version of the character is born: the arrogant but lovable wise guy with a seemingly endless supply of silly one-liners. He rants about his “boomstick,” forces his medieval peers to feed him grapes like a Roman emperor, and urges his supporters to “hail to the king.” It is this goofy and overconfident version of the character that Bruce Campbell would later bring back in the hit show Ash vs. Evil Dead. In addition to his more amusing characterization, the Ash in Army of Darkness is a more developed and interesting character overall. For the first time in the series, Ash is given a proper character arc, which takes him from flawed, clumsy grocery store clerk to action hero. He’s given the chance to redeem himself for his arrogance and his oafish mistakes, which results in a more satisfying character story than ever featured in an Evil Dead film prior.
Overall, Army of Darkness can be seen as Raimi’s ultimate horror-comedy statement, a masterwork full of eccentric creativity, and an amalgamation of all the seemingly disparate traits that make his work special.
