When this film was originally released FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, we really wanted writer/director Sam Raimi to be back in the business of scaring the pants off of us and making us howl with laughter. We got exactly what we wanted with Drag Me to Hell even if Raimi remained relatively quiet until the groovy Ash vs Evil Dead series and now, thanks to Scream Factory, we get a proper Collector’s Edition of this cult flick.

Raimi returns and Drag Me to Hell is the proverbial horse that carries him back home to the horror house. The director of The Evil Dead trilogy and cult favorites such as Darkman and The Quick and the Dead returns to the genre that earned him so much respect and street credibility. Much like the prodigal son in that biblical yarns of old, Raimi steps away from the formulaic insta-star successes of the Spider-Man films - with some humility from the critical bashing and fan tongue-lashing of the third film - with a fresh new film that somewhat captures the spirit of the Raimi we love and miss. And, yet, while returning to the genre that made him so loved among cine-files, he accomplishes with Drag Me to Hell something that no other film he has previously completed has ever done - he scares the hell right outta you.

Raimi's Drag Me to Hell, co-written by his brother and longtime screenwriting partner Ivan Raimi, starts off with a horrific jolt as it sets in motion a nightmarish tale about a gypsy curse concerning the Lamia, a goat-like demon bent on delivering the owner of any cursed object straight to hell. The beginning set in a beautifully decorated Spanish home - is certifiably classic Raimi gusto with swift cuts and hyperkinetic "push-pull" zooms as the hidden Lamia attacks those around the cursed child and then, ultimately, the child himself. This stylized beginning sets the stage for the rest of the film to unfold across and serves as the film's location for its climax; it's a nice reminder of Raimi's use of manic camera work in large, open spaces.

The real story then shifts to present day and we are introduced to Christine Brown, played (with a slight nod to the acting styles of Bruce Campbell) by Alison Lohman who, surprisingly because she is perfect in the role, was an 11th hour substitute for Juno star Ellen Page. Christine is a little withdrawn, a little insecure, but is up for a big promotion at the bank where she works and finds herself competing for a desired position with an ass-kissing co-worker who does a great job of earning the boss's trust while losing everyone else's around him.

In the heated competition for the job, Christine is forced to make a snap decision concerning the property of an elderly Slavic woman, Mrs. Ganush, hauntingly and memorably played by Lorna Raver, and denies her another extension. The woman is driven to beg Christine for her home and in awkward fashion is escorted out by security. The two meet again in a parking garage sequence that is pure Raimi and one of the film's many highlights. As a result of the crazy and comical confrontation, Mrs. Ganush brings the Lamia curse upon Christine and the horrors as well as the laughs are released upon the audience.

There are some gorily great sequences throughout Drag Me to Hell and, obviously, there are images that will haunt and scare and twist and tease the imagination and that is the key to the success of this film as Raimi seems once again inspired by the material and his imagination is as grand as that of a child's... mind you a child who knows what the hell he is doing behind the camera. The film is a full blown funhouse thrill of a ride and makes for a great treat for horror hooligans and fans of The Evil Dead trilogy (as there are several tongue-in-cheek references to those films sprinkled throughout the film).

Unfortunately, Drag Me to Hell is not quite Raimi let loose behind the camera (call me stubborn, but I, for one, want a complete return to form from this man not a tempered attempt at past successes), it does capture elements missing from Raimi in the Spider-Man series. In my opinion, Spider-Man comes across as Raimi waltzing through a field of roses when he should be charging like a bull through it. That being said, I will take Drag Me to Hell over anything else labeled as a true "horror" film any day of the week; it is refreshing and funny and packed with gnarly visuals that will have you laughing one second and screaming the next. Is it hyperkinetic? At times, yes. Does it have first person shots from fast moving objects that Raimi used to give his audience? Sadly, no. Does it entertain even the most doubtful of viewers? Most certainly it does. But is it terrifying? Hell, yes, dear readers, and now, to quote the movie, you should find yourself a movie-going partner and “go get some."

Shout Factory absolutely delivers with their release of this newish cult classic.

4K UHD + Blu-ray + 2 Exclusive Posters + Exclusive Slipcover

Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - October 29, 2024
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; three-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman, Matchstick Men) is on her way to having it all: a devoted boyfriend (Justin Long, Barbarian), a hard-earned job promotion, and a bright future. But when she has to make a tough decision that evicts an elderly woman from her house, Christine becomes the victim of an evil curse. Now she has only three days to dissuade a dark spirit from stealing her soul for an eternity of unthinkable torment. Evil Dead trilogy director Sam Raimi made his return to the horror genre with a vengeance with Drag Me To Hell, which critics hailed as "the most crazy, fun and terrifying horror movie in years" (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly)!

VIDEO

Taken from a NEW 4K Scan From The Original DI Film Negative Approved By Director Sam Raimi And Editor Bob Murawski, the new transfer of the film is seriously golden. The film is presented in this crackling Collector’s Edition courtesy of Scream Factory. The dastardly effects look fresh and appropriately bloodied. The sets are loaded with details unseen before. Overall, the film looks gloriously fresh in 1080p and buzzes with a new sense of urgency as the crisp visuals are punctuated in a way I previously had not noticed. The buildings within are rich with details and bold black levels. Interiors, especially in the office sequence, are solid and expressive. Black levels are strong throughout, revealing layers in the shadows as the building from top to bottom is presented with warmth and clarity.

AUDIO

With an English DTS-HD Master Audio Surround 5.1 as its source for sonics, the film simply doesn’t disappoint.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• Commentary One
• Commentary Two

Special Features:

DISC ONE (4K UHD)

• Unrated And Theatrical Version - 2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen (2.40:1)/English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & 2.0
• NEW 4K Scan From The Original DI Film Negative Approved By Director Sam Raimi And Editor Bob Murawski
• Presented In Dolby Vision

DISC TWO (Blu-ray) - Unrated Version

• NEW 4K Scan From The Original DI Film Negative Approved By Director Sam Raimi And Editor Bob Murawski
• NEW "Pardon My Curse: Making Drag Me To Hell" -- Two-Hour Behind-The-Scenes Documentary Featuring New And Archival Interviews With Co-Writer/Producer Ivan Raimi, Actors Alison Lohman, Dileep Rao And Lorna Raver, Director Of Photography Peter Deming, Production Designer Steve Saklad, Artist Christian Cordella, Make-Up Effects Designer Greg Nicotero, Editor Bob Murawski, Composer Christopher Young, And More!

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 99 mins
Director: Sam Raimi
Writer: Sam Raimi; Ivan Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman; Justin Long; Ruth Livier
Genre: Horror
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "You'd be surprised what you'll be willing to do, when the Lamia comes for you."
Theatrical Distributor: Universal Pictures
Official Site: https://shoutfactory.com/products/drag-me-to-hell-collectors-edition-2-exclusive-posters-exclusive-slipcover-by-basil-gogos
Release Date: May 29, 2009
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 29, 2024.
Synopsis: A loan officer who evicts an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point.