By Darkladyshorrorreview on November 14, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Tucker and Dale Vs Evil by J.D. Hawke

“Tucker and Dale vs Evil” (2010)

Film review by J.D. Hawke

Rating: R

Directed by: Eli Craig

Synopsis:

Hillbillies Tucker and Dale just want a nice quiet weekend to themselves so they can fix up their vacation cabin in the woods. But when camping college kids mistake them for murderers, chaos reigns and the blood starts to fly.

Review:

Horror/comedy is a rising genre, and it’s a breath of fresh air. Following the success of flicks like Shaun of the Dead and the Scary Movie franchise, we’ve seen some scary good horror/comedies in the last two decades.

Enter Tucker and Dale vs Evil. It’s a twist on the classic “camping in the woods” horror movie. Told from the perspective of the would-be hillbilly murderers, we discover that Tucker and Dale are anything but.

In fact, they try to help the campers! But as Tucker says in the movie, they have “a doozy of a day.”The movie stars Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Dodgeball) and Tyler Labine (Reaper, Rise of the Planet of the Apes) as hapless friends Tucker and Dale, respectively. Early in the movie, the two friends encounter co-ed Allison (Katrina Bowden – 30 Rock, Piranha 3DD) and her gaggle of college age first time campers at a gas station. Dale tries to speak to Allison, but it comes off as awkward and from her perspective, horror movie level creepy.

That single scene sets the tone for the movie. Viewers are treated to a kid of reverse horror movie.

They get to see how innocent acts of otherwise benevolent characters can get twisted in the minds of those who are placed in a tense situation. There’s not a lot of down time in the movie either – the pace is perfect, blending laughs with horrific death scenes, one-liners with suspense and gore. Before you start thinking the movie is nothing but a laugh fest, read on.

The climax of the movie pits Tucker and Dale against actual evil as they try to rescue Allison from an original and delightfully dark character. In true horror movie fashion our heroes go all out to save the day, using as their weapons everything one expects a hillbilly to turn to in times of trouble (a pickup truck, chainsaws, and beer, among other things).

Tucker and Dale vs Evil is not without flaws, but they are few and far between. The story is well-written, well-acted, and excellently directed.

With stunning sets and the best wood chipper scene since Fargo, viewers will not disappointed in this uproariously dark movie.Darklady’s Horror Movie Review Ranking: 9 skulls.