(This is Tucker & Dale vs Evil film review, which is a comedy horror film that makes full use of the genre’s clichés)
Sometimes we all just want to watch some comedy with horror element infused into it, something like the Scary Movie series but less over-the-top and in-your-face comedy. That’s where Tucker & Dale vs Evil comes in, for they bring with them something that seems a bit different from the usual crops of comedy horror films recently.
It is directed by Eli Craig, a well known director who likes to do horror comedy genre, and starred Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, and Jesse Moss. Without dragging this on, let’s delve into the Tucker & Dale vs Evil film review below!
Premise
When two hillbillies duo is going on a trip into the woods for a vacation, they unsurprisingly cause some huge misunderstanding with a bunch of college kids who are also doing the same. Then, each one of them view the other as the killers in the wood, with each encounter creating bigger misunderstanding. Could these two groups ever be able to find out the truth?
Tucker & Dale vs Evil Film Review
Premise
The story is cliché, there’s not beating the bush around it. And the whole thing flows predictably, except for some of the unexpected gore in between. However, that’s where the film also shines, as it is making full of use of this cliché to create a horror comedy premise that actually works in its favour. In fact, it’s making such good use of the story that it just looks natural, and make the comedy moments funnier because we expect it to be. It also adds some romance to sweeten things up a bit.
I can see some of the references or at least source of inspirations from other famous horror films that have appeared before. Of course, some of the takes are silly and doesn’t make any sense, but this film has never been about making sense from the start, so it’s forgivable.
it is making full of use of this cliché to create a horror comedy premise that actually works in its favour
Pacing/Comedy
Pacing is pretty great throughout the film, except the middle portion where things start to get a bit stale and draggy. This is especially so after some fatigue due to the recurring comedic moment that makes use of the same cliché moments. However, it picks up the pace soon after.
rest assure that you will still get some good laughs from this
As for the comedy genre, this is more of the usual Hollywood style comedy that combines action and dialogues. It’s not quite over the top, but it’s also not too subtle, especially in regard with how they portray the comedic moments with violence and gore. But rest assure that you will still get some good laughs from this, as the jokes themselves are more mainstream in nature. Most of them are misinterpretations of the other party’s actions that is coupled with some horror soundtrack, become a good source of comedic materials.
Characters
The characters themselves are also pretty cliché, but their personalities undergo some changes, especially in regard to those against stereotypes. One example is one of our main hillbillies characters, who is actually a kind, tender man with some good photographic memory for mostly useless stuff. Then we have the ‘cool college kid’ who smokes but actually has asthmas and is more dumb than smart.
but their personalities undergo some changes, especially in regard to those against stereotypes
But it’s the interactions between the characters are quite good, and though less believable, still makes perfect sense. Of course, there are a few characters that have a bit too little screentime, or just simply become obsolete into the middle portion of the film. Still, since this is a horror comedy that does not take itself seriously, you don’t expect great character development or interaction at all.
There are also some romance between the main girl and the main guy, but it’s still a cliché type which only works for such film.
Soundtrack
The soundtracks are mostly cliché horror tracks that are actually quite effective in delivering the laughs at appropriate moments. It works for what it is used for, but it’s nothing exceptional.
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