Before continuing, know this: SPOILER ALERT!
Sam Raimi’s The Wizard of Oz prequel, Oz, the Great and Powerful, held its own in theaters. Taking a more epic angle and referencing the original throughout, Oz is not only a hit with girls, but with boys and adults as well. In the film, Oscar “Oz” is a swindling conman magician in Kansas, swooning female “volunteers” and performing ingenious illusions and stunts.
Director Sam Raimi also made a little known cult classic in 1992 entitled Army of Darkness, the third installment in the Evil Dead franchise.
Army of Darkness was a story about Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell), an everyday normal man working at a hardware store (S-Mart. Shop Smart. Shop S-Mart.). Earlier in Ash’s life, he fought his fellow teen horror victims while they were possessed by demonic spirits. The film in which that took place, Evil Dead, was so gory, it was considered a “video nasty” and was banned in the UK.
So Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn was made. The sequel was still arguably scary, but was definitely more self-deprecating and goofy than the fantastic independent feat that was its predecessor. Instead of being an out-and-out remake, it claimed the title of a sequel and retold the story anyway. In this one, Ash found himself battling near-comedic strangers.
After defeating the spirits again, Ash was sucked into a time-warp and thrust into medieval times. Much like Oz fell into the land of Oz with a hat, wand, and hot air balloon, Ash falls into 1300 A.D. with a sawed-off shotgun, a chainsaw, and an Oldsmobile Delta Royal ’88. There is even a worm’s eye shot where Oz falls face first onto the ground, which seems to use the same slightly dated effects.
Oz is mistaken as a wizard, prophesized to defeat the Wicked Witch. Ash is mistaken as an angel, prophesized to defeat the Army of Darkness. Oz and Theodora fall for each other, but Theodora is turned into a villainous witch. Ash and Sheila fall for each other, but Sheila is turned into a villainous… monster thing.
Oz gets scared by the army he must fight and loses face with the unintimidating citizens of Oz, whom he must lead and protect. Ash gets scared by the army he must fight and loses face with the unintimidating citizens of the castle, whom he must lead and protect.
After some time, Oz realizes that a modern science book, a hot air balloon, the citizens’ savvy trades, and his charismatic leadership skills will be enough to defeat the opposing army. After some time, Ash realizes that a modern science book, his Oldsmobile, the citizens’ savvy trades, and his charismatic leadership skills will be enough to defeat the opposing army.
If you aren’t an Oz fan, then it’s fun just watching Raimi pay homage to how he got to where he is now.
The original Evil Dead has a remake coming to theaters April 5, starring Jane Levy of Suburgatory fame, with Fede Alvarez as writer/director.
Support and buy tickets. As long as you’re being so charitable, go to a video store and buy one of the eight editions of Army of Darkness and a copy of Oz, the Great and Powerful once it’s out as well.