[5.2/10] A good premise can get you pretty far. Joss Whedon famously pitched Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a reversal of the typical horror movie trope -- the teenage girl hunting the monsters that go bump in the night rather than the other way around. And the novelty of that idea helped sustain Buffy through a heavily-rewritten film and shaky first season. But the series, at least, had the benefit of a talented writers’ room that kept the show humming even after the novelty wore off.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil has a similarly subversive premise, presenting a story where this time, it’s the (unintentionally) scary rednecks holed up in the woods who are our protagonists, and the crop of sexy teens who are the bad guys. It’s a neat elevator pitch for a film, at times, the movie makes good on the promise of that setup, but more often than not, it stumbles into lame setpieces, outdated and undeveloped romantic beats, and weak humor, draining that novel concept of any boost it might otherwise give.
The film tries, I have to give it that. It still delivers the “good-looking college kids die horribly at the hands of hillbillies” trope, but does it through a series of wacky accidents, mishaps, and misunderstandings rather than any malfeasance from it’s two titular sons of the soil. The film seems to be going for Looney Tunes with most of these sequences, but most of them can’t find the right balance between ridiculousness and realism to make that work in live action. Again, it’s a good idea -- flipping the usual horror movie narrative on its head but still getting the same result -- but how the film gets there doesn’t cut the mustard.
That said, to the extent the film works on a moment-to-moment basis, it’s on the strength of its two main performers. Tyler Labine plays Dale, the protagonist of the film, with an Andy Dwyer-like combination of naivete and puppy dog sweetness. His presence through the nonsense events of the film gives them a center, and he makes awkward, contrived, or downright weird moments and interactions in the film endearing just with his presence. By the same token, Alan Tudyk has less to do as Tucker, Dale’s surrogate big brother, mostly reduced to those wacky sequences and some fractured “you can do it” encouragements, but Tudyk is a pro and finds the comic juice in bits that should be devoid of them.
Were that the same could be said for the rest of the cast. Most of the rest of the college kids are just fodder for the film’s implausible death scenes, and the actors give performances that are as superfluous as their characters. To give this the most charitable interpretation, the film could be riffing on the fact that invariably, some of the earliest characters to perish in the average slasher flick are undeveloped, because why bother giving someone personality if they’re just going to kick the bucket? But if that’s the intention, the film blurs the line from making fun of a trope and embracing it too much for the comedy to work or for the kids to feel like they have a purpose beyond dying in contrived, grisly fashions.
The main antagonist of the film is Chad, the group’s ringleader who (and we know this because he straight up announces it) thinks he’s better than everyone else. Chad is as one-dimensional a foil as you’re likely to find, and while there’s some laudable subversion in him becoming the crazy freak cliché that pops up so often in these films, the movie’s attempts to trade on the irony of his beef with hillbillies and his heritage is feeble at best and offensive at worst.
But maybe that’s a fate better than Allison’s, the main female college student in the piece, who basically exists to fall in love with Dale and become his prize for learning how to assert himself. Allison is a stock love interest, whose only personality traits are finding Dale unassumingly charming and a barely-sketched interest in psychology (which, to be fair, comes back around for a pretty decent gag). She is the peak of the “girl as trophy” trope in a “manchild grows up”-type story, and dull besides.
Actress Katrina Bowden does her best, but her purpose in this film is simply to be attractive and occasionally make goo goo eyes at Dale. She handles that task with aplomb, and even brings some charm to the role, but it’s so underwritten, so one-note, and so retrograde that it’s hard to take too much from it.
At least some of this could be forgivable if the film were actually funny. There’s a few laughs to be had here and there, mostly off the strength of Labine and Tudyk as performers, but for the most part, all that Tucker and Dale vs. Evil has to offer is not especially clever physical comedy and broad gags that wouldn’t feel out of place in a direct-to-video American Pie sequel. If fairness, that’s definitely the vibe this film is going for, and if it’s what you want out of this type of comedy, more power to you, but it comes off as a waste of a good idea and a pair of talented performers.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil isn’t a lost cause, but it does feel like a missed opportunity. Had a team like Whedon and Drew Goddard (both of Buffy and Cabin in the Woods fame, tackled this idea, there might be genuine subversion and commentary on horror tropes and prejudices baked in the film, not to mention some snappy dialogue and good laughs. Instead, Craig uses the premise as fodder for an underwhelming romp, which can coast a little on the strength of its leads, but never escapes the downward pull of its lame jokes and contrived setups. A good premise is great, but if you can’t execute it well, you may as well just toss the results in the woodchipper.
Couldn't stop laughing during the first half of the movie. Then it loses it's own pace, but still a pretty fun movie!
This one is quite fun. It’s like a horror version of Burn After Reading, because you have characters making decisions as if they’re ripped from a cliché genre film the movie is satirizing, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunication. It’s a really fun and unique concept with lots of clever jokes and good characters. However, it doesn’t quite reach that Shaun of the Dead level, because there’s no Edgar Wright behind the camera. In terms of camerawork, editing and sound this is a bit average by comparison. But the core of the movie is undeniably there, I highly doubt anyone could get through this without laughing at least a couple of times. There’s even some subtext in there about stereotypes, it’s all very well thought out.
7/10
Ending kind of let me down, seemed too serious for a movie that's almost entirely satire.
This film never fails to make me laugh, even better the second time around.. spot on script..
Honestly one of the best movies I'd seen in a long time. Alan Tudyk can light up any movie, and Tyler Labine was so sweet (yes, the guy with the chainsaw). The only downside (which I didn't even take marks off for) - the main female character, of course, had to be blonde. Overall, though, an amazing film. Hilarious!
This movie is absolutely hilarious. Thankyou trakt for recommending this movie!
Expected a bit more. Probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen the trailer, but then again I might never have discovered this flick if it wasn't for the trailer. Funny nonetheless, watch it with friends and maybe a beer or two.
Expected the worse but ended up liking this one. A mix of Comedy and Horror
One of my favorite movies.
Definitely a hidden gem.
A fun twist on the teen slasher.
The teenagers just could not stay alive.
A goofy comedy that reimagines slasher stereotypes by simply reversing roles. Through a series of coincidences and misunderstandings, the good-hearted rednecks will end up becoming prey for enraged college students. Although there are quite a few amusing gags, I found the film as a whole a little dull, in particular lacking a visually compelling direction. Nevertheless, I still feel inclined to give it a slightly higher rating due to the likability of the two protagonists and the noteworthy performance of one of the students.
As someone who didn't grow up as a horror fan, my gateway into the genre was horror-comedy, and this film shines in that role. It succeeds for two reasons: (1) the clever cliché-reversing premise; and (2) the performances of Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk. There's a lot of humor in the set-up and these two have the comedy chops to make it work, both in terms of physical gags (use of beer as cure-all was a highlight) and hilarious dialogue ("we've had a doozy of a day, officer"). Now, I will say, the film does lose a lot of momentum in the back half, with the comedy getting more sparse as the plot runs its course. The production also felt a bit cheaper than I remember. Not sure if it's the color grading or what, but it looks a little TV-movie at times. Luckily, its lean 90 minute run time saves the day and the positives easily outweigh the negatives.
Totally unexpected. This movie was so good. I thought it would be another cheesy cringe slasher movie but man was I wrong .
It's super entertaining.
8/10
A solid movie with a heartwarming surprise
(601-word review) Yes, I know. My rating is a war crime. How could I!? Well, unpopular-opinion-me has returned. This film was a bit disappointing for me, which goes against the majority's opinion: that it's super hilarious and fantastic. The mild subconscious expectation that it'll be just that, specifically the 'hilarious' part, based on the majority-held opinion, affected my perception more than expected, as this was hardly funny. Possibly. That may not have affected me that much.
Regardless, the weakest film I've seen (maybe ever, but in the Top 3 at least) in 2023 goes to this one, 100%: only nine, but still. Its comedy is one of the main aspects, and the ingredients for success are there, yet something went wrong. Besides a scene or two (all thanks to Alan Tudyk), I couldn't extract much amusement.
I can see that, potentially, elements of the story are laugh-out-loud, nearing dying material: hillbillies mistaken for killers and how everything that happens conveniently reinforces that, then the "hilarity" that ensues. In theory, however. Except, in this case, the execution miserably failed for me.
This film's duo (Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine) reminded me of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Hot Fuzz. The characters in both films are similar: Tucker/Nicholas is the smart(er) one who doesn't seem as much of a caricature as Dale/Danny, who's the good-hearted but simple-minded one.
And interestingly enough, I didn't find that film super hilarious, either. At least it had Timothy Dalton, whose overall performance/character was the only saving grace, or one of them, as I don't quite remember. There wasn't a comparable element like that in this film.
The only thing coming close to it was Alan Tudyk. Unfortunately, he didn't have the writing on his side. He did a great job: the best part, without a doubt. But he still couldn't make up for the writers dropping the ball, and the ball dropped hard.
As if that wasn't enough, there was a greater focus on Tyler Labine's character, individually, and with Katrina Bowden's character. There NEEDED to be more of Alan: more of Tucker. I didn't hate the whole thing with Dale and Allison: rather, in actuality, I liked it, especially where it went by the end. But either scrap that entirely and focus more on one tone (chaotic and comedic carnage but better written) or increase Alan Tudyk's screen time. There's no in-between: what the writers were presumably going for, making the film worse by doing.
But Jesse Moss' performance was also decent. Chad's characterization allowed him to deliver it in a way rivaling Alan's efficient performance, which was the best, despite his character being more "lowkey." At times, Jesse's line delivery reminded me of Patrick Bateman, and more particularly, his voice reminded me of Carlisle Cullen; he even looks similar to Peter Facinelli, especially now.
He'll be perfect for playing Carlisle in the Twilight TV series that's in development. Instead of starting with Bella, they can start the show with his early life before turning or right after it, focusing on a prequel aspect and backstory about every Cullen family member, leading up to the present at the end of the first season, ending with Bella's introduction.
Boom. Emmy Awards will flow in immediately because that's what anything better than this, complete hogwash, deserves. You're welcome, showrunner/director/writers/crew of the Twilight TV series. I'll like $40 million up-front, in cash, minimum, please.
Despite only having a scene or two (more than enough, for sure) that landed, all thanks to Alan Tudyk, America's Funniest Videos (AFV) resembles the pinnacle of humor in comparison.
"Bring it, frat bitch!"
A nice little campy comedy horror along the lines of Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland. It has an Evil Dead meets Wrong Turn setting in the woods. A beautiful lesson about mis-judging people and a heartwarming love story underneath all the horror. The comedy was hit and miss for me but I still laughed a whole lot. The kills are bloody brutal, comedic and always unexpected/sudden. A really fun teen slasher!
I swear Chad (Jesse Moss) looks identical to the prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau (only younger). He's also Canadian, what the hell?
I absolutely adore this movie,m Alan Tudyk & Tyler Labine are wonderful actors and are just brilliant in this against the psychotic 'teen' element. I watched it again for maybe a 3rd or 4th time after a long gap between each viewing and for me it still remains as good as ever which is why I give it 10/10.
Two cute clumsy brothers and a lot of bad luck and unhappy accidents. LOVE IT!!!
This is one of my favorites when it comes to comedy horror movies.
NOTE FOR MYSELF SO I REMEMBER SOMEDAY, ONLY REPRESENTS MY OPINION/THOUGHTS FOR MYSELF NOT A “REAL REVIEW“, SO YOU MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH IT
(also its not my 1st language)
for someone who hates stupid horror movies that was a fresh breeze and surprisingly funny! Sure still kinda dumb sometimes but entertaining nonetheless.
Especially for horror fans a must watch.
edit: I knew nothing about this movie just that its supposed to be funny, didnt even remember why its on my list and Im kinda happy about it, just saw the trailer and yes it gives away way too much, so much better watching it knowing nothing.
Hilarious spin on a horror film.
A fairly good watch and forget movie. Definitely looked a bit stupid at the beginning until I quickly realised the satirical nature of its writing and jokes.
I think I expected the worst by mixing comedy and horror. I have to admit that I liked it and it made me laugh a lot, especially in the first part of the film.
A pair of simple-minded backwoods types run into trouble when their vacation plans overlap with those of a great, big carload of college party animals. It's shallow - no, really shallow - but so are the slasher flicks it's sending up, so par for the course I guess. Problem is, Cabin in the Woods is already more comprehensive, Scream is wittier and Scary Movie is more profane, so there's not a lot of room to find a fresh niche.
The titular duo have a good thing going, and the core script-flip of teens doing the terrorizing is fun in concept. There's just so little to it beyond the bare bones that it's hardly a filling meal, so the good laughs and splatter effects can't find enough meat to sink their teeth in. Mercifully short, it gets in and out in under eighty minutes, and even then seems a little bloated.
“I should’ve known that if a guy like me talked to a girl like you somebody’d end up dead.” Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is one of the best horror movie satires in recent years. When two hillbillies go up to a cabin in the woods they run into a group of college kids, hijinks ensue and they accidentally get mistaken for serial killers. Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine are outstanding as Tucker and Dale. They have a great comedic chemistry and are able to the pull off the farcical comedy style of the film. The laughs keep coming and get bigger and bigger, and the situations get more and more outlandish. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is an outrageously hilarious comedy that’s tremendously entertaining.
Misunderstandings are pretty funny, I'm not a fun of all the bloody deaths though. Overall ok for silly movie :)
Good for a few laughs, but ultimately super forgettable and not super interesting. Worth a watch if you desire a popcorny comedy, not worth it if you're looking for anything substantial from the horror side of this comedy-horror film.
This movie ranks high on my list and is a watch again! Made me giggle a lot.
nice spoof of horror film with a big dosage of humour. Enjoy the pretty girls as well :)
This movie builds on all the standard clichés in the horror genre and does it in an awesome way! Everything which can be misunderstood, is misunderstood and things that can go wrong, does. Should give everyone a good laughter, even if you're not a horror-fan in general. (like myself)
thought it was great, not laughed so much in ages. classic
Great movie! Really funny
I lol'd my B off. I've been telling everyone about this movie.
Great movie out of nowhere
ja, war auch echt überrascht. echt mal was anderes als dieser standard horror mist. super film, auf jedenfall gucken!
also wenn du mit Katrina Bowden Tuckers freundin meinst dann geb ich dir 5 Penis Up dafür!!! Die war so geil! und wie Ihr Arsch immer fast rasugeguckt hat <3
War echt super cool der Film hab ich echt nicht erwartet!
Und Katrina Bowden ist auch noch mal ein netter Bonus!
Nur der Horror kommt etwas zu kurz ...dafür aber um so lustiger TOP
hahaha ich musste zwar ncih lachen trotzdem sehr geiler film!!! ps schreibt merh deutsch hier man!!!
Har har. What a treat. A real surprise out of nowhere. Occasionally these sorts of gems come along that will be timeless classics in their genre. MajorMercyFlush and I watched this from our perspective homes but together while on xbox360 voice comms with a 3, 2, 1 countdown to pressing play on each side. Fun with friends, or on your own!
Hilarious. I laughed so much in the first half that my face was hurting for the second. So so funny.
Tudyk (Wash!) and Labine are superb, totally nail it. Great dialogue.
Really fresh take on the genre and tropes.
Totally ninja+
I really enjoyed this one. Had very low expectations but was blown away! See it!
superb!
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2011-12-18T19:28:07Z
Totally brilliant, but 2nd half not as good as it lost it's comedy and went all dramary!