Bruce Campbell vs. the Army of Darkness

Army of Darkness is the third movie of Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's Evil Dead trilogy. But is it the best?

The first two were The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn. These are roughly the same movie, the first one made on a shoestring budget, the second is a remake with a little more money. They take place in a cabin in the woods where Ash (Bruce Campbell) and friends find the Necronomicon, a book that summons the Evil Dead. All are killed except Campbell.

Army of Darkness is starts where the other movies end, with Ash falling into a dimensional portal time-tunnel thingy. He winds up in medieval times, where it is foretold that he will appear to conquer the evil dead.

He then proceeds to do this with gusto. Unlike some heroes sent back in time, he is not confused, or intimidated. He is pissed off. He is ready to kick ass and chew gum, and chewing gum hasn't been invented.

Actually, his line is, "Your chances are Jack and Shit, and Jack left town". This isn't the only tribute this movie pays to the greats. It is full of references to our favorite things. For example, Ash seems to have learned to fight from watching the 3 Stooges. The army of the title owes a debt to Ray Harryhausen. Was "Definitely the wrong book" a reference to Rocky and Bullwinkle? I think everyone will get the reference to The Day the Earth Stood Still.

I'm sure there were homages to classic horror films as well, but I'm not as well versed in the genre. But if you've only seen the first Evil Dead, you may not realize that this is a comedy in the form of a horror movie - not a real horror movie. Suits me fine.