For those who remember how Evil Dead II ended, our hero Ash has now landed in the Middle Ages. In Evil Dead, he shoots a monster and is hailed as a god—but forget that, because Sam Raimi clearly did. Here, Ash is captured and set to be used as entertainment. Of course, Ash isn’t one to be messed with, and he quickly earns a reputation as a dangerous man. That’s when the hunt begins for the Necronomicon, the book that can return him to his own time. But if Ash doesn’t say the magical words “Klaatu, Barada, Nikto,” he’ll awaken an army of the dead.
The third and final film in the trilogy does not tarnish the legend of Ash. The biggest difference from the first two films is the shift in tone—there’s more humor and less gore, but far more effects overall. It’s also clear that the budget is significantly larger this time, and the cast includes more recognizable names.
Bruce Campbell is easily one of the most underrated actors in the world. As always, he delivers a fantastic performance, overflowing with charisma—enough to make anyone wish for a chin like his. Sam Raimi, of course, does a brilliant job directing, and his signature camera style—so central to the Evil Dead films—is once again present. The music deserves a mention of its own. Army of Darkness stands out in this department, even more than the first two films. Much of the credit goes to Joseph LoDuca, who scored all three films and has matured into a seasoned composer. But the biggest reason is likely that none other than Danny Elfman composed the title theme.
What I like least about the film is that it leans a little too heavily into action. Some of the battle scenes drag on for too long. Sure, they have plenty of humorous moments, but they tend to overstay their welcome. Aside from that, there’s little to criticize in this excellent film from Sam Raimi.
“Hail to the king, baby.”
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