'Drag Me To Hell' Review

Raimi's latest horror installment goes for scares...and laughs?

Do you remember those old-school 1950's horror flicks that were considered horrifying back in the day, but now when you look at them you just laugh? That pretty much sums up Sam Raimi's latest horror film: Drag Me To Hell. Now, this movie is considered to be a horror film, but Raimi takes a different approach and delivers audiences a satire of the genre. Nobody is meant to take this film seriously, and by the time you're done watching it you can't help but laugh at everything you've just witnessed. Yes, the film has it's gore and jumpy moments, but overall it's nothing short of a ludicrous roller-coaster that you'll want to ride over and over again.

The overall plot is simple: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) works as a loan-officer at a bank. In her desire to get an assistant manager's promotion, Christine evicts an old-woman who came to her for an extension on her mortgage payments. Unfortunately for Christine, this woman turns out to be an old gypsy who eventually curses her to the underworld. Christine now has three terrifying days to save her soul from going to hell.

The events that ensue are crazy and over over-the-top...hell, they would probably make your little brother or sister laugh. What makes this film so much fun is that Raimi acknowledges the fact that this is ridiculous, and he runs with it. The movie does have it's little pop-out scenes, but it's nothing that will make you want to sleep with the lights on. What Raimi does do is use the 'gross-factor' to full effect. Some of the scenes are pretty nasty, but they're also funny at the same time. Raimi knows this isn't going to be a classic and decides to have fun with the audience instead.

The performances by Alison Lohman and Justin Long are very well done. The visual effects are pretty nasty, but also pretty fake (which adds to the film's comedic tone). The pacing is very well done, and you'll never look at your clock or want the film to end. For an hour and a half, you're absorbed in Raimi's ridiculous, 'horrific' world. Raimi mixes the "horror" and hilarity fairly well, but the only thing I wish he added was a bit more of the horror he's famous for. With that aside, the overall product is great. The film, however, is not for everyone, and those who aren't in on the joke will consider Drag Me To Hell to be a horrible flop. If you know Raimi's overall goal though, you'll have a good time with his new flick.

My Spill Rating: Matinee!