Horror comedy brings the laughs and the heart

by Chris Mailloux

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, directed by Eli Craig, works as a parody and a tribute to the classic slasher films of the 80s. The film stars Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story) and Tyler Labine (Reaper, Rise of the Planet of the Apes) as two hillbillies who take a vacation to their recently purchased cabin in the woods. The film is a horror comedy designed for young adults looking for a laugh and fans of classic horror films that has a similar style to the cult classic film, Shaun of the Dead.
Tucker (Tudyk) and Dale (Labine) head to their new “fixer upper” cabin to enjoy their weekend and have some beers. One night, while fishing, a teenager falls in the water and Dale jumps in to save her. Unfortunately her friends assume they’re trying to kidnap her. The teenagers devise a plan to rescue their friend and fight back against the loveable hillbillies. What happens next is a large amount of accidental bloodshed and confusion for the main characters.
The most lovable parts about this film are found in the writing. The film brings a lot of laughs and the two hillbillies are characters you immediately find yourself rooting for. You can see the motivation of the villain but at the same time he often appears over the top, a clear nod to old school horror films. The gags throughout the film are often set up perfectly, one of which was the chainsaw scene. As Tucker is working on the house with a chainsaw, the teenagers look on and prepare an attack. Tucker hits a bees nest and begins running away with the chainsaw appearing like a maniac. The setup is fast and leads to a funny punch line.
Another aspect of the film that worked really well was the set design. When the main characters head to the cabin it has the appearance, inside and out of a killer’s, home. Most of the film takes place in the woods, at the cabin or at a mill, so there isn’t much for scenery. The few settings found in the film are crafted wonderfully. The benefit of the scenery is how often it plays a part in the jokes. At one point in the film, Dale and Allison, played by Katrina Bowden, are digging a hole as they work on fixing up the house. The teenagers see this and believe that Dale and Allison are digging Allison’s grave. This leads to an attack on the hillbillies that produces a lot of laughs.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a film that manages to get better every time it’s viewed. The film is worth it just to watch the chemistry between Tudyk and Labine as the pair make a perfect comedic duo. To the fans of horror films and anyone looking for a lot of laughs, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is highly recommended.

Rating: 4.5/5