Sunday 22 May 2011

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

This movie has a very unique and promising premise.  It's a slasher film without a slasher.  Two well-meaning hillbillies go into the woods to renovate their new vacation home.  A group of college kids mistake them for crazy killers and antics ensue.  While it takes a little time to get going properly, it gets pretty funny, pretty quick.  The misunderstanding humour is in the same vein as Frasier or Three's Company and the dialogue humour is very well written.  Both Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine give great performances as hillbillies; especially Labine.

So, we've established that it's funny.  As for the rest of the movie, I would say it is fun but not great.  The slasher effects are decent but nothing to write home about.  But that may be because there's not much you can do to push the envelope with blood and gore anymore.  Visually, it is well shot.  It's all out in the woods on location and done with a hazy feel that hearkens back to decent slasher movies.  As far as the story goes, I got a little disappointed as it progressed.  Rather than staying true to its original premise, this movie reverts back to the traditional slasher genre with a crazy guy.

I'm kind of conflicted on this one.  On the one hand, I wish it had followed its original premise all the way through.  But, on the other hand, there's only so far you can take that before it gets boring.  All in all, if you don't mind a little gore, I'd say see it.  It's just unique enough to hold your interest and definitely funny enough to keep you entertained.

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