Ash Vs Evil Dead: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Review
THE SET-UP
Ash Williams battles Deadites and the Necronomicon, with his friends Kelly and Pablo at his side, and an unlikely ally in the immortal Ruby.
Based on characters created by Sam Raimi
The Complete Series Set is a repackaging of the three individual seasons (with each season contained on two discs) into one case. The discs are identical to the individual season releases.
THE DELIVERY
When a movie or TV franchise decides on a sequel years (or even decades) after the original, the results are often disappointing, failing to recapture the spirit of the original.
Thankfully, that was not the case for Evil Dead fans, and you can thank Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell for that.
Season One Trailer (spoilers may apply)
Ash Vs Evil Dead, the cable series that continued the adventures of Ash Williams from the Evil Dead films, ruled for three seasons on Starz, because it delivered what fans wanted – shocking visuals, twisted humor, more Bruce Campbell than you could ever want, and a story arc that actually goes somewhere.
With Raimi and Campbell on board as executive producers, Ash Vs Evil Dead didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It retained the elements that made it a success in the first place, without trying to repackage it for a new generation 30 years after the story began. It’s old school, baby – and it’s groovy.
Ash Vs Evil Dead is a direct sequel to the film trilogy, and the series, which ran for thirty episodes over three seasons on Starz, is a funny bloodfest. You’ll lose track of the number of wisecracks and flying limbs after only a few episodes.
Its success rests almost completely on Bruce Campbell’s shoulders (we’ll avoid any chin jokes), and that’s not meant to demean the fantastic supporting cast of Lucy Lawless, Ray Santiago, and Dana DeLorenzo. However, it is Campbell who provides the suspension of disbelief that makes the insane world of Raimi’s Evil Dead possible.
Campbell, Santiago and DeLorenzo make for a memorable trio, and their chemistry is undeniable. When Lucy Lawless and Arielle Carver-O’Neill join the group, they each bring a vital new level to the story, which involves finally ridding the world of the Necronomicon (The Book of the Dead), and evil itself.
The series has a definite 80s vibe to it, with its practical creature makeup and effects and inappropriate humor. If you aren’t grossed out by the outrageous scatological humor, you’re likely laughing your head off. Only this show could feature a hero trying to shoot demon babies and a mass murder at a high school dance without serious backlash.
Season Two Trailer (spoilers may apply)
Ash Vs Evil Dead flushes political correctness down the toilet and delivers buckets of blood and gore with a smirk and plenty of “they went there” moments. It is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but if Shemp’s Beer is more your taste (if you know what I mean), Ash Vs Evil Dead is an insane, entertaining ride.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
The high-definition video transfer is very well done, with fantastic detail and color reproduction across each of the three season sets. The old-school creature effects look incredible in high definition, and the transfer makes every drop of fake blood pop off the screen. It’s very well done.
Audio is a surprisingly good English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix available for all three seasons. There is some deep bass throughout the episodes, and a well-balanced, and at times inventive, sound mix that sells the horror aspects at the right times with effective sound effects.
A Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 and French Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is available for seasons two and three.
SPECIAL FEATURES
A number of bonus features, mostly “behind-the-scenes” featurettes and audio commentaries, are spread across the three seasons. Season two has, by far, the widest range of extras.
Season 3 Trailer (spoilers may apply)
The special features are as follows (listed by season and disc). Audio commentaries are listed separately below.
Season 1 (Disc 2)
“Inside the World of Ash” featurette. Showrunner Craig DiGregorio looks back at every episode of the season, and provides some insight and trivia into each. Running time: 15:59
“How to Kill a Deadite” featurette. Bruce Campbell, crew members, and fans explain how you kill Deadites. It’s a fun watch. Running time: 2:31
“The Best of Ash” featurette. This short promotional piece compiles Ash’s best lines (and kills) from season one. Running time: 1:27
Season 2 (Disc 2)
“Season 2 First Look” featurette. This promotional teaser (featuring interview excerpts from the cast) set up where Ash, Kelly and Pablo are headed for the upcoming season. Running Time: 2:17
Ten “Inside the World of Ash Vs. Evil Dead” featurettes. Each episode has a short “behind-the-scenes” featurette. Unlike season one, which combined all of the featurettes into one video, these are listed individually. Each one generally runs under two minutes each, and includes a look at the stunts or effects featured in the episode.
“Up Your Ash” featurette. The infamous “colon fight” in the morgue scene is detailed, including how they pulled off the “possessed colon” effect. Running Time: 2:22
“Women Who Kick Ash” featurette. The women of the show – notably Kelly and Ruby – are profiled. Interviews with the cast members are included. Running Time: 2:08
“Puppets Are Cute” featurette. The Ashy Slashy puppet is featured. Running Time: 1:08
“Dawn of the Spawn” featurette. Ruby’s Demon Children get their due in this featurette. The search for the right actors to pull off the creatures is shown. Running Time: 1:22
“Bringing Henrietta Back” featurette. The memorable baddie from Evil Dead 2 made an appearance in Season 2, once again played by Ted Raimi. The creature effects crew describes how they pulled off the character, including puppets and full body suits. Running Time: 1:35
“The Delta” featurette. Sam Raimi’s 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 has been the unsung star of the Evil Dead films and the TV show. The true-life story behind the car is told here. Running Time: 2:13
“How to Kill a Deadite” featurette. The stars of the show explain the many ways a Deadite can – and should – be killed. The various makeup effects involving Deadites are explored. Running Time: 2:18
“Fatality Mash-Up” featurette. The season’s best kills are compiled into one supercut. Running Time: 49 seconds
Season 3 (Disc 2)
Season Overview. Bruce Campbell and the cast discuss the upcoming season in this promotional short. Running Time: 2:48
“Inside the World of Ash Vs Evil Dead” featurettes. Each episode has a short “behind-the-scenes” featurette that often delves into the special effects and stunts involved in that particular episode. Each featurette lasts under two minutes.
Digital Copy. A code for a digital version of the series – compatible with services including VUDU and FandangoNow, is included.
AUDIO COMMENTARIES
A number of audio commentaries are included on each season, with the creators, cast and crew all taking turns providing their thoughts on certain episodes.
The commentaries are all very well done, and fans will enjoy the insight the participants bring. Seasons 1 and 3 provide commentaries for every episode, while Season 2 provides commentaries for six of ten episodes.
The following episodes offer commentaries, with participants listed after each.
Season 1
“El Jefe” (Episode 1.1) Creator/Executive Producer/Director Sam Raimi, Co-Executive Producer Ivan Raimi, Executive Producer Rob Tapert and Executive Producer/Actor Bruce Campbell.
“Bait” (Episode 1.2) Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, and Actors Dana DeLorenzo and Ray Santiago.
“Books from Beyond” (Episode 1.3) Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
“Brujo” (Episode 1.4) Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
“The Host” (Episode 1.5) Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
“Killer of Killers” (Episode 1.6) Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago, and Actress Jill Marie Jones.
“Fire in the Hole” (Episode 1.7) Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago, and Jill Marie Jones.
“Ashes to Ashes” (Episode 1.8) Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago, and Jill Marie Jones.
“Bound in Flesh” (Episode 1.9) Bruce Campbell, Lucy Lawless, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
“The Dark One” (Episode 1.10) Bruce Campbell, Lucy Lawless, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
Season 2
“Home” (Episode 2.1): Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Lucy Lawless and Ray Santiago.
“The Morgue” (Episode 2.2): Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Lucy Lawless and Ray Santiago.
“Last Call” (Episode 2.3): Rob Tapert, Dana DeLorenzo, and Lucy Lawless.
“Trapped Inside” (Episode 2.6): Rob Tapert, Dana DeLorenzo, and Lucy Lawless.
“Home Again” (Episode 2.9): Director Rick Jacobson, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Lucy Lawless and Ray Santiago.
“Second Coming” (Episode 2.10) Rick Jacobson, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo and Lucy Lawless.
Season 3
“Family” (Episode 3.1) Director Mark Beesley, Bruce Campbell, and Actress Arielle Carver-O’Neill.
“Booth Three” (Episode 3.2) Rob Tapert, Mark Beesley, and Lucy Lawless.
“Apparently Dead” (Episode 3.3) Rob Tapert, Directors Diego Meza-Valdes and Andres Meza-Valdes, and Arielle Carver O’Neill.
“Unfinished Business” (Episode 3.4) Arielle Carver-O’Neill, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
“Baby Proof” (Episode 3.5) Rick Jacobson, Stunt Coordinator Stuart Thorp, Dana DeLorenzo, and Ray Santiago.
“Tales From The RIft” (Episode 3.6) Rob Tapert, Visual Effects Supervisor Tim Capper, Dana DeLorenzo, Lucy Lawless, and Ray Santiago.
“Twist and Shout” (Episode 3.7) Mark Beesley, Bruce Campbell, Arielle Carver O’Neill, and Lucy Lawless.
“Rifting Apart” (Episode 3.8) Rob Tapert, Arielle Carver-O’Neill, Dana DeLorenzo and Ray Santiago.
“Judgement Day” (Episode 3.9) Rick Jacobson, Bruce Campbell, and Arielle Carver O’Neill.
“The Mettle of Man” (Episode 3.10) Rick Jacobson, Bruce Campbell, and Arielle Carver O’Neill.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Ash Vs Evil Dead Is Crazy, Bloody Fun
Ash Vs Evil Dead is an acquired taste to be sure. If you’re a fan of the original films, however, or if you like your horror with heaps of dark humor, this series is spot-on. The video and audio is top-notch, and the bonus features are a healthy amount of featurettes and audio commentaries.
ASH VS EVIL DEAD BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: October 16, 2018
Rating: Not rated
Running Time: 14 hours, 20 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English Dolby 7.1 TrueHD, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, French, Spanish
Special Features: Audio commentaries, featurettes, and a digital copy.
MSRP: $49.99
Label: Lionsgate
Click here to order Ash Vs Evil Dead on Blu-ray from Amazon.
