The very first article I wrote for BSR was a wrapup of the SXSW conference in 2010. Here was my review then:
Among the most fun I had at this year’s SXSW was Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. It stars Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Dollhouse, I Robot) and Tyler Labine (Reaper, Sons of Tucson) as dimwitted hillbillies looking for a lil R&R who, through a comedy of errors, become mistaken for psycho killers by a group of too-pretty college students. Hijinks ensue.
There was a reason this won the audience award– it was the most fun I’ve had not just at a SXSW movie, but at the movies in general for a long time. Winning the audience award is sayign quite a bit, especially considering its competition: the premiere of “MacGruber,” the funniest movie adapted from Saturday Night Live in many, many years, and the critically acclaimed “The Runaways,” the rock n’ roll story of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
But Tucker and Dale deserved the win. Watch the trailer below and dare to disagree! (This gives away a lot, but not everything, so don’t watch if you don’t want some awesome spoilage)
They say that everyone borrows from each other, but the great ones outright steal. There was too much that was more than a simple homage to classics like Evil Dead or Friday the 13th- but it lifts from these sources so effortlessly, it’s like listening to The Beatles play “Till There Was You” and forgetting it was ever part of “The Music Man.” Nipping on the heels of Zombieland and Shawn of the Dead, we have a new entry into the genre of horror comedies.
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My opinion hasn’t changed. If anything, it has only improved. At Comic-Con this summer we had a great panel in Hall H called “At the Drive-In” which celebrated the best in genre films. Tucker and Dale was the main attraction, and rightfully so. In fact, I’ve spent a decent amount of time this past week at Fantastic Fest here in Austin and so many people are just uber-excited that Tucker and Dale is playing in theaters starting today. Soooo many film nerds are all breathing a collective sigh of relief that “FINALLY I can show this movie to my friends that I’ve been talking about for a year and a half.”
There are soooo many good parts. Tyler Labine trying to flirt with college girls who think he’s being creepy in that sort of “You got a purty mouth. . . ” way, when in fact, he’s just very awkward around girls (aren’t we all?) Then there’s when Tucker and Dale put it together and figure out, “I’ve seen this on tv– this is a suicide pact!!!!” Trying to chase away bees with a chainsaw. A college kid accidentally jumping into a woodchipper. And so forth.
This is the best film you’ll see this weekend. (Ok, maybe 50/50 with 50/50) It’s probably the best film to see this “holiday” season for Halloween. Give yourself both a trick and a treat by going to see this movie now.
Are you still reading this? Didn’t you hear me? NOW.
3 1/2 stars