Tucker and Dale vs Evil

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Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

October 5th 2011 01:53

Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) have headed out to their rundown cabin in the Appalachian mountain woods for some R&R and a little fixin’ up. They may look like your average redneck hillbillies, but hell, they’re just regular guys like you and me, maybe a tad dumber, a tad more naïve. But they mean well. The less can be said of the preppy college kids looking to cut loose before returning to studies. This bunch of nine are gonna clash big time with Tucker and Dale, and they’ll be blood, sweat and tears before bedtime. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) has taken awhile to get down under (after screening at this year’s SFF), but it’s been worth the wait! This is the best horror-comedy since Shaun of the Dead (2004).

Alan Tudyk as Tucker

Director Eli Craig wrote a screenplay on spec with buddy Morgan Jurgenson, but ended up directing his first feature as well, and he does a bang-on job too. The script is the funniest parody (on the slasher/redneck hillbilly genres) in years, and is effortless in its dynamic sense of humour and characterisations than Zombieland (2008) that tried too hard. The performances of its two leads – Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk – are a delight, as there is a genuine chemistry between them. The other standout is Jesse Moss as Chad, the college jock-cum-psychopath-bubbling- under. The rest of the cast aren’t amazing; Katrina Bowden as love interest/final girl Allison tries her hardest, but they provide adequate support.

Tyler Labine as Dale

Jessica Bowden as Allison

What works very much to Tucker & Dale vs. Evil’s favour is that it doesn’t try to be anything other than rollicking, popcorn, beer and spliffy good times, the broad, yet still clever, comedy that plays well to the horror fans as well as the date crowd. The special effects, although relying a little too much on CGI (a budgetary thing these days, as it’s cheaper to employ a clutch of computer nerds on the post end than it is to have various on-set technicians demanding take-after-take because a blood-pump seized up, or a squib didn’t explode on cue) are solid, and there is much humour to be had with some of the blood and gore effects, especially impalement, but also a chainsaws, a buzzsaw, and a big wood-chipper machine! Bring it on!

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil Jesse Moss Jessica Bowden and Tyler Labine

Allison mediates a cup of tea discussion between Chad (Jesse Moss) and Dale

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is quick and inventive with its narrative and parody, but it is ultimately the rapport between Tucker and Dale that is most memorable. This is easily the funniest buddy duo since Shaun and Ed battled zombies and squabbled with each other in Shaun of the Dead, with many laugh-out-loud lines of dialogue.

The Final Girl finds herself in a spot of bother

The misunderstanding and Murphy’s Law, plus the “twist” of character that sees our intended villains become protagonists and the Alpha Male protagonist become the antagonist, fuels this movie all the way to its well-rounded, satisfying ending, but of course, there’s a sequel in there (watch the prologue closely) if the producers so desire. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil entertains immensely without falling prey to self-consciousness and smugness like so many other spoof comedies do. I could almost see a TV sitcom with Tucker and Dale, each week dealing with clumsy setbacks, bumbling hitches, and annoying city slickers, as they endeavour to renovate their cabin in the woods and throw back a few Fat Yaks.

Here’s the trailer:

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil DVD is courtesy of Icon Entertainment, many thanks!

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

6 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by JMD

October 7th 2011 00:51

And here I was worried that you wouln't like this film. The film had many great shots. I particularly like the one Dale holding the scythe at the gas station.

Is that the box art or movie poster for your region?

Comment by Bryn

October 8th 2011 07:33

Horrorphile

That's the DVD cover art for Australia.

Comment by jkund17

October 10th 2011 00:48

techy.Bytes
Defendgreen
Web Stripe
Quirkus
Cinema Hindi
Films Found

Aw I just saw this movie a couple of days ago. It so funny.

Comment by Someone

October 22nd 2011 22:42

Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business

I have watched this movie about 4 or 5 times already, and the scene with the woodchipper gets me in stitches every time. Between this and Firefly, I may or may not now have a bit of a man-crush on Alan Tudyk.

Comment by Bryn

October 23rd 2011 00:05

Horrorphile

Haha!

Comment by David O'Connell

October 27th 2011 10:30

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Just watched this tonight Bryn and loved it too. Have to agree with Someone - the scene where the one guy impales himself on the spear and the other accidently jumps into the woodchipper is one of the funniest things I've seen in ages. But it's actually pretty consistantly funny throughout.

Tyler Labine's work is pure genius. Though as you say, the rapport between the two of them is what makes it all hang together. Great little film - wouldn't be opposed to a TV series at all!