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Starring: Bruce Campbell
Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: Action / Comedy
Year: 1993
Rating: 4 / 5

Chocolate, Melrose Place, ice cream, and Army of Darkness. What do these four things have in common? All four are guilty pleasures, but, throughout our lives, we have been unable to live without them. Army of Darkness is certainly a guilty pleasure, as the plot is far-fetched, the acting is average at best, and the special effects are subpar. It should be noted, however, that this Sam Raimi picture is nonetheless an entertaining riot, one that will be worshipped by film lovers for years to come. Bruce Campbell's Ash may go down in movie history as one of the most reluctant heroes of all-time, what with his "loud-mouthed" style and snappy one-liners. As he goes, so goes the movie, and, fortunately for Army of Darkness, Campbell shines like none other.

The main plot of Army of Darkness - such as it is - involves Ash (Bruce Campbell) being transported back in time to the early fourteenth century. (To find out how, one must view the film's predecessors, Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2.) Ash does not come alone, however, as a chainsaw (which doubles as his right hand), a shotgun (from his employer S-Mart), and his car (complete with a loaded trunk) all manage to traverse time as well. What he finds upon reaching this new era are a "primitive" people that he must come to depend upon in order to return home. The Book of the Dead, a motley crew known as the Deadites, and a damsel in distress all come into play, but it does not seem to matter.

Army of Darkness is driven by its dialogue, its easy-to-root-for hero, and its off-the-wall premise. Why did Ash land in the middle ages? Why does he carry chemistry and physics in the trunk of his car? Who in their right mind would ever confuse Ash with a "promised one?" Does any of this affect how enjoyable the film is? Not in the least! Ash seems to be on a quest to prove that he has more witty catch phrases than Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who am I to argue. One of my personal favorites would have to be: "Yo, she-bitch, let's go." Everyone has their own favorite, though, just as everyone has their own reason for finding this movie to be such fun.

Army of Darkness is not what one would call a mainstream movie, however. It does not follow typical Hollywood conventions, even if it does throw out some common film items: the hero, the unredeemable villain, the damsel, the needy village, etc. I have watched the film countless times, and I still could not say if it is an action film, a comedy, a horror flick, or an adventure. Quite possibly, it is none of them, or maybe it is all of them. Whatever the case, Sam Raimi's effort is an inspired one, and his hero Ash is one for whom I will always cheer. If you are ever teetering on the brink, wondering if this is the film for you, simply remember Ash's immortal words: "Come get some."

Cast:

Bruce Campbell..........	Ash
Embeth Davidtz..........	Sheila
Marcus Gilbert..........	Arthur
Ian Abercrombie..........	Wiseman

Certification: Rated R for violence and language.
Running Time: 86 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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