"Drag Me to Hell" Movie Review: Sam Raimi, Welcome Home

Leaving the theater after seeing Sam Raimi's new film Drag Me to Hell left me reconsidering one of my strong-held beliefs about artists and the creation of art. I've always thought that just because an artist excels in one genre of their chosen artistic medium, it should not mean that they should be limited to that genre only. Rock bands can write country songs, Jim Carrey can play a dramatic role, a comic book illustrator can paint stand-alone portraits, etc. But after seeing Drag Me to Hell, all I could think about was the painful disappointment that was Spider-Man 3. This ponderance left me asking myself, "Why can Sam Raimi just make this kind of horror movie?"

For what this film is (a well-crafted horror flick that is a loving homage to the genre), it is perfect. Not since Raimi's opus (the original Evil Dead) has a film brought out such giddy bursts of panicky laughter from its audience. The woman sitting behind me repeatedly let out blood-curdling screams that were immediately followed by giggling snorts.

Do not dismiss the film on the grounds of its silly and familiar plot. When I first heard that the story revolved around a loan officer who is cursed by a gypsy after foreclosing on her, I thought it sounded like Thinner with a topical slant. Needless to say, this did not make me want to see it. But then I read the reviews and, believe me, there's a reason Drag Me to Hell is currently rated at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. It equally appeals to horror buffs, film snobs and people who just want a good scare.

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Oh, and keep you eyes peeled for one scene that ranks among the most gross/hilarious moments in movie history. You'll know it when you see it.