This sequel is not only virtually a remake of the original it took all the outrageous gore of the first film stirred in some slapstick humour, mayhem and even more bloody fun.

Bruce Campbell is back as Ash and this time he's back at a remote cabin in the woods with his girlfriend (who much to our delight is zombiefied in the first ten minutes) only to have to take on all sorts of evil forces, demonized people and even his own lopped-off possessed hand in a night of grue slinging, chainsaw wielding horror.

This one certainly has a skimpy plot, in fact it's plotless for the most part, and it's really just a bunch of effects set pieces but it's definitely a Hell of an entertaining time. Campbell proves his worth as a comedic actor (he rules as the hapless Ash) and this has so many memorable moments (the chainsaw attack and hand possession to name a couple) that it comes off as an over-the-top sequel that bests the original, has Raimi using his trademark energetic direction for all its worth and has an ambitious finish (that would lead nicely into the next entry).

Gleeful fun that's, to quote the first real "soundbite" Campbell's character spouts, "Groovy!".

Followed by Army Of Darkness.

Directed By: Sam Raimi.
Written By: Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel.

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley.

Picture Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen.

Picture Quality: A nice and clear transfer with no real flaws.

Extras: Anchor Bay delivers some nice extras for this disc so that even though it can't match the original's DVD it's still enjoyable. There's a trailer, bios for Campbell and Raimi, Still galleries (behind-the-scenes and Photo), a trailer for the lame "Hail To The King" videogame that came out in 2001, a watchable making-of featurette called "The Gore The Merrier" (that has the effects crew reminiscing about the film) and a highly entertaining commentary by Raimi, Campbell, co-writer Spiegel and effects man Greg Nicotero.