THIS `ARMY' PLAYS FOR LAUGHS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993                   TAG: 9302200250
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
THIS `ARMY' PLAYS FOR LAUGHS
At one time during its production, "Army of Darkness" was titled "Medieval Dead." That's really more accurate because it's the third of Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" films.
From its beginning as a cult hit on video, the series has evolved from low-budget horror to bizarre comedy. This third installment is a parody of several genres of popular entertainment - horror, action, sword-and-sorcery, sci-fi - and absolutely no convention is sacred. Everything is played for laughs.
A brief introduction, including a cameo appearance by Bridget Fonda, explains how Ash (Bruce Campbell) came to be hurled back through time to the 13th century, along with a chain saw, a sawed-off 12-gauge and a 1973 Olds Delta 88. It all has to do with ancient curses, a book of the dead and stuff like that.
After some odd bits of business, Ash sets off to recover the aforementioned book so that he can get back to his own time and job in housewares at the local discount store. The problem is that Ash is in a really bad mood. He doesn't pay attention when the local wizard tells him the magic words he has say over the book, lest an army of Deadites arise and attempt take over the world.
Of course, they do, in a long battle sequence that takes up the last third or so of the film.
Before that can happen, though, Ash undergoes a series of adventures that involve vintage "Evil Dead" gimmicks and inventive special effects. Imagine the physical violence of the Three Stooges combined with the absurdism of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and you'll see what Raimi is trying to do.
What's different here is the quality of the violence. Even when it's graphic, it's not serious. Raimi tells the story with the furious pace and malleable reality of a cartoon. Overall, the film isn't well-made as Raimi's impressive "Darkman." Instead, he stays true to his low-budget roots.
"Army of Darkness" is a knockabout camp comedy of violence. Anyone looking for good taste or brilliant wit should try something else.

Army of Darkness: *** A Universal release playing at the Valley View Mall 6, Salem Valley 8. Rated R for graphic violence, bizarre special effects, some strong language.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB