Rating: 
Summary: Army of Darkness number 1 movie for Halloween
Review: "Army of Darkness" is action-pack scifi/horror movie I seen the Television version on AMC last monday, was okay. but the hit movie on DVD is better and Bruce Campbell beat the living crap out of the army of darkness also Campbell appear as Ash and Evil Ash, this the most owned movie on DVD for halloween.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive guilty pleasure film
Review: "Army of Darkness" is filmed, acted, and written so tongue-in-cheek that I'm amazed they didn't wear holes through the sides of their faces. While the set pieces, battle sequences, and cinematography are as masterful as any Spielberg film, "Army of Darkness" was obviously made simply with the idea of making it an all-out entertaining picture and it succeeds in that way, on every level. The physical comedy element from "Evil Dead 2" returns with a vengeance; I've seen this movie more than fifty times and every gag still works. But instead of the cabin in the woods and sense of isolation that we felt in the preceeding two films, "AOD" has the scope of a grand-scale sword and sorcery epic, using its visual effects to turn backlots in Los Angeles into vast stretches of woodsy nothingness.The movie's not much in the area of plot. It doesn't need to be. Movies like "Army of Darkness" are not about elaborate plot devices and subplots and dramatic pauses; they're about action, and giving us as the popcorn-stuffing audience members a good time for our money. A lot of the credit for all these successes goes to Bruce Campbell, as our main everyman character: The moron, the braggart, the blowhard, Ash. God love em. True, the idea of Ash being a cowardly character has completely left the story for the idea of him becoming this leader of men that we root for. True, the logistics of the film suffered in the editing process. And true, we never really see Ash reload his gun before he fires again. But does it matter? Not at all. The film moves too fast for us to care. The action sequences are so well executed that we can forgive the movie for just about anything, and the fact that it has an enormous sense of humor about itself doesn't hurt either. Classifying it as a horror film does it a discredit. It's not a horror film at all; it's not even one of those self-parodies that are so popular these days since Kevin Williamson had the cahones to write "Scream". It's an action-comedy that sky rockets into a stratosphere all its own in both categories. Both coexist in perfect balance most of the time, once in a while tipping in one direction or the other. The result is a masterpiece. Sam Raimi learned a lot from the days of "Evil Dead" developing an involving visual style and a sense for drama which he used on "A Simple Plan" and "The Gift". This is all well and good, and those films gave him the critical merit to direct "Spider-man", but I think his job on "Army of Darkness" gave him the real tools needed. And even if "Spider-man" becomes the enormous success that's expected, he'll always be remembered for his cult favorite series that began with a group of college kids in a cabin being killed off by an invisible force, one by one, leaving only Ash, who lived and carries "Army of Darkness" on his shoulders - bouncing up and down with laughter all the way.
Rating: 
Summary: Fistful of Boomstick
Review: "Army of Darkness" is the third film in Sam Raimi's legendary "Evil Dead" trilogy. Surprisingly, while it was the least popular of the series in theaters, it's arguably now the biggest cult hit in the series!
Picking up where ED2 left off, Ash (Bruce Campbell) finds himself in 1400 A.D., taken prisoner by Arthur's knights. Soon, he finds that the only way he can return to his own time is to retrieve the Necronomicon (a.k.a. Book of the Dead). Of course, there are some complications: he'll also have to save his girlfriend, blow up his evil clone, and destroy an army of the dead. Armed with those ever-so-trusty weapons, the double-barreled shotgun and chainsaw, Ash sets out on his quest to return home.
"Army of Darkness" is one of the few films that successfully blends comedy with horror. AOD is, in fact, much more comedy than horror. Ash is outrageous, albeit a little more pissy than in the previous films.
One of the interesting things to do with this film is to look back at the other two films and see how far along the ED crew came. Bruce Campbell's acting improved by ED2, Sam Raimi became a more experienced director, the scripts changed from gore-filled horror to laugh-out-loud comedy, Joseph LoDuca went from creepy 70's horror score to booming medieval soundtrack...
There are two versions of the film: the original theatrical version (nicely remastered on this DVD) as well as the Director's Cut (horridly "mastered" on this DVD). I would highly recommend the D.C. to the T.C., but with the quality of the D.C. on this DVD, I can understand it if you stick with the T.C. (Woah, that was a mouthful!)
All in all, "Army of Darkness" is even more rockin' now then it was ten years ago. Filled with bone-rattling action and groovy comedy, AOD is a film only Sam Raimi could make.
"Shop smart, shop S-Mart!"
Rating:
Summary: The best B movie of all time.
Review: "Buckle up bonehead, you're going for a ride". And indeed you will with this movie. I'm not going to repeat what has already been said here, but I would like to add something. Even if you already own the threatical version of this flick, it is worth getting for the commentary alone which is almost as funny as the movie--especially Bruce's comment about how the extras walking around in one scene all look like they "have a load" in their pants--and he's right! Although I already have 1 of the 40,000 copies of the Limited Edition, I'm still thinking of getting this one for a "back up".
Rating:
Summary: Army of Darkness
Review: "Klatu Barata Nikto" - the entirety of the plot depends upon those magic words {which ironically are not actually in Necronomicon}, to whether ot not "the dead shall arise to devour the living" - yet that last phrase is in Necronomicon. Just remember, when attempting to possess the book, utter those words exactly, lest you release the dead & invoke all manner of chaos. Ash {Bruce Campbell} returns in this part three film of the Evil Dead series. But where the first two films focused primarily on insanity, which is entertaining or disturbing, depending upon who is viewing the presentation, part three lapses into much more of a comedic vein, likened very much the Hercules / Xena brand of humor, which may have actually derived from these films. 3 immediately resumes where 2 left off, transporting Ahe through the portal from the present into the past, circa mideival Ireland, complete with car, rifle, & the chainsaw which replaces the hand he amputated to be rid of the "evil" possessing it, which in itself made for quite a hilarious scene. He is made a prisoner of war when he virtually "falls from the sky", & despite the recognition of the resident wiseman as the one prophesied as the deliverer / savior of their people, is instead identified as being a member of the opposing army's memvership, & is placed in chains & shackels along with a leader of the enemy, to meet their fate in "The Pit", an abyss containing several monsters who mutilate & kill whomever is thrown down into it - a veritable sacrificial pit. So poor Ash is forced to do his first battle with a couple of ghouls, until the wiseman, who resembles Merlin, toses in the chainsaw. Ash makes quick work ofthem, decapitating one, blasting another with his "boom stick", as he explained to the bloodthirsty peasants. And finally, he is acknowledged as the prophesied deliverer of the people. He must acquire The Necronomicon from a cemetary, but is admonished to speak the afore-mentioned binding words of spell, but unfortunately, at the last moment, forgets the last word, eventuallcausing the dead, an army of darkness, to arise to do battle with mortals, but not before he must divulge the correct book from the three set upon an altar in the graveyard, experiencing the plights that each false one presents. Subsequently, Ash has run-ins with impish clones of himself, a demon who flies off with a sweet damsel, who becomes possessed by the nefarious gloom besetting the land, but she is eventually released of the influence of the King of The Dead, who multiplied himself himself from the flesh of Ash during that scene with the miniature imp-clones which became reminiscient of Gulliver's Travels. Ash teaches the mortal army a few new tricks, & prepares for the arrival of the excarnate nemesis in skeletal form. The remainder of the movie consists of Xena-esque battles until the book is preserved, victory is hailed, & Ash is returned to the present, where he rgails the apathetic S-Mart co-workers with tales of his explits. But again, he did not utter the words of Spell completely, & the results are made evident when a she-demon in the form of a hideous hag attacks his girlfriend {*There is another scene earler in the movie when another hag appeared to kill anyone who woild deem to possess the book*}, to which the warrior Ash surfaces once more, to battle another denizen of the dark. Overall, Army of Dakness is a comedy, not really something that would give you a fright, but will tickle your funny "bone'. Personally, I prefer the first two over this version, for the more occultic references, focusing on the mythology of Necronomicon lore, & some of the more horriffic scenes. The FX are remarkable however; well-hewn demonic creatures, the skeletal army is superbly done, & the environments are crafted quite appropriately, especially the cemetary. A classic Horror-Comedy.
Rating:
Summary: Gimmie Some Slapstick, Baby!
Review: "My name is Ash, and I am a slave" is typically how a dramatic film might start, a portent for the meditation on serious matters to come. Instead, this is the first line of "Army of Darkness", spoken by former S-Mart worker Ash who, after fighting dread spirits, lopping off his beloved girlfriend-turned-demon's head with a shovel, and being sucked into the past by a time portal, is now be being marched to his death in the Middle Ages. Poor guy! Ash's delivery of the line, spoken in a resigned, bitter tone, is a hint of things to come. "Army of Darkness" is the third film in Sam Raimi's classic "Evil Dead" series. While the first film was played for pure scares, the second film's scarefest had a demented humor to it that carries through and becomes the dominant trait of this outing. The film is more farce than anything else, a "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" for the Mel Brooks crowd with great big helpings of the Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers thrown in for good measure. Despite the impressive and bedazzling camerawork and effects thrown together by Raimi and company, the film is truly carried by cult film icon Bruce Campbell, whose Ash has a high pain threshold exceeded only by his obtuseness. "Army of Darkness" has no end of screwball comedy, requiring a keen comic sense of timing and physical presence. Campbell delivers on all counts, which is why "Army of Darkness" is such a fan favorite today. A caveat: I've found, in my experience, that people who like the original "Evil Dead" are not terribly keen on "Evil Dead II" and even less so on "Army of Darkness". This tends to be because the original film was a legitimate horror movie, whereas "Evil Dead II" was part-sequel, part-remake, and part-comedy with "Army of Darkness" as its successor in both spirit and story. So, for recommendations sake, if you are looking for a true horror film, skip over this and purchase the original "Evil Dead". If you are looking for a stylish film laced with comedy and horror (and fun all-around), check out "Army of Darkness" and its predecessor "Evil Dead II". Not for all tastes, but definitely the proverbial MUST SEE for all cult film enthusiasts.
Rating:
Summary: Fistful of Boomstick
Review: "Army of Darkness" is the third film in Sam Raimi's legendary "Evil Dead" trilogy. Surprisingly, while it was the least popular of the series in theaters, it's arguably now the biggest cult hit in the series!
Picking up where ED2 left off, Ash (Bruce Campbell) finds himself in 1400 A.D., taken prisoner by Arthur's knights. Soon, he finds that the only way he can return to his own time is to retrieve the Necronomicon (a.k.a. Book of the Dead). Of course, there are some complications: he'll also have to save his girlfriend, blow up his evil clone, and destroy an army of the dead. Armed with those ever-so-trusty weapons, the double-barreled shotgun and chainsaw, Ash sets out on his quest to return home.
"Army of Darkness" is one of the few films that successfully blends comedy with horror. AOD is, in fact, much more comedy than horror. Ash is outrageous, albeit a little more pissy than in the previous films.
One of the interesting things to do with this film is to look back at the other two films and see how far along the ED crew came. Bruce Campbell's acting improved by ED2, Sam Raimi became a more experienced director, the scripts changed from gore-filled horror to laugh-out-loud comedy, Joseph LoDuca went from creepy 70's horror score to booming medieval soundtrack...
There are two versions of the film: the original theatrical version (nicely remastered on this DVD) as well as the Director's Cut (horridly "mastered" on this DVD). I would highly recommend the D.C. to the T.C., but with the quality of the D.C. on this DVD, I can understand it if you stick with the T.C. (Woah, that was a mouthful!)
All in all, "Army of Darkness" is even more rockin' now then it was ten years ago. Filled with bone-rattling action and groovy comedy, AOD is a film only Sam Raimi could make.
"Shop smart, shop S-Mart!"
Rating:
Summary: More of a comedy, but funny as hell.
Review: "This... is my BOOM stick!" One of the many hilarious lines that Bruce Campbell says in this film, which is more of a comedy than a horror film, but the humor, action, and an amazingly improved performance from the main man, Bruce Campbell, make "Army of Darkness" the best film in the "Evil Dead" series. The film was directed by wizard Sam Raimi, and co-written by Sam and his brother Ivan. I loved this film because it finally gave Bruce Campbell the attitude that he appeared to be missing in the last two films. The film is also very accurate in Ash's assumption that the "primitives" around him in the mid-evil times he has been transported to, could never understand "alloys or things with molecular structures." The best thing about this film, other than the terrific brand of humor, is the action. The film is full of it--from turning Ash's beat-up Oldsmobile into a super-chopper to making arrows into old-fashioned bullets with a splash of gun powder. This movie is infinitely clever and exciting, as well as being extraordinarily entertaining. I recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and twisted, more dark fantasy than horror
Review: 'Army of Darkness' is the great follow-up to 'Evil Dead 2', and throws the hapless character of Ash into the past to fight more evil...dead. This film remains my favourite of the 'Evil Dead' movies. This one is far more lighter than the first two films, mixing comedy with the gore and monsters. Heck, even the gore isn't really that bad. Bruce Campbell wears the one-liner throwing Ash like a second skin. This is the role he will always be remembered for. Ash is quite the contrast, switching between hero and coward and back again as the movie rolls on. The other cast members are good too, treating the material in the film as a serious threat, and not as camp. Embeth Davidtz especially is a pleasure to watch. This film is also one of the first to really depict the true Sam Raimi style, and would the set the stage for some of his other projects like 'Darkman' and 'Quick and the Dead'. Sure the effects are cheese, and the story isn't that great, but the action is fun and the actors are funny. This film is just one of those guilty pleasures to have. This version of the DVD contains an excellent little featurette, 'The Men Behind the Army of Darkness'. It's a good look at the lovable goofs who were responsible for this movie.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite films to Own on DVD.
Review: (...) I own the Theatrical Version and Original Version on DVD, both for Anchor Bay Entertainment. Theatrical version, the sound in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound. 20 minute featurette. Original theatrical trailer has some scene didn`t appear theatrical relase. Original Ending. Full-Screen and Widescreen Anomorphic Format 1:66.1 but it`s a good thing is more like 1:78.1 WS/Format is almost close to the original 1:85.1 WS/Format. On the another hand, the Limited Edition-Director`s Cut has great audio commentary by the Director:Sam Raimi and His Brother co-wrote the film:Ivan Raimi and Of Course:Bruce Campbell. Storyboards on the film, while you are watching the film with opitinal selection. Deleted Scenes with/without Commentary by the director and star of the film. Widescreen Anomorphic Format and Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound. There is some people didn`t like this DVD, because the picture or sound. Quality on Picture is fine, some scenes needed better contrast, Colors could have at times be better but added footage had some very dark scenes and contrast is little too dark but fine quality from anchor bay entertainment. Some people are [complaining] about the Sound, is only stereo surround sound (It`s not Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround but does work on a 6 Channel Sound"), to me, sound quality is very good. Don`t [complain] too long, is the last time, you can own this Director`s Cut on DVD. Last year was a Limited Two Disc Edition owning two different version of the film. Maybe by next month, the director`s cut will be gone on sales and this is collector`s to keep. The longer cut of the film is better on the DVD than the VHS Edtion. Some Scenes in the added footage is better picture quality on the DVD than the VHS. I know, i own both Limited Edtion DVD and VHS. Grade:A-.
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