“We have got to hide all of the sharp objects!” —Tucker
Today’s quick review: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. While on vacation in the mountains of West Virginia, Chad (Jesse Moss) and his college friends mistake Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine), two well-intentioned but awkward locals, for a pair of serial killers. When the college students think they see the duo kidnap Allison (Katrina Bowden), a member of their group, it kicks off a series of misunderstandings that quickly escalate into violence.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a horror comedy about a pair of rednecks who get mistaken for serial killers on the basis of their looks. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a loving spoof of the slasher genre that thrusts two unwitting men into the role of slasher villains, at least in the eyes of their supposed victims. Comedic misunderstandings, gory slapstick, a likable pair of leads, and a dash of charm allow the movie to deliver on its creative premise.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil has a surprising amount of heart. Tucker and Dale are two of the nicest characters to ever stumble into a horror movie. Dale is a sweetheart, a selfless man with a clumsy exterior who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Allison. Tucker is his best friend, a simple man who wants nothing more than to clean up his new lakeside cabin. The characters are incredibly easy to like, and their fun banter holds the movie together.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil puts these characters to use in an intricate web of misconception, paranoia, and unfortunate coincidence. Through no fault of their own, Tucker and Dale convince the jumpy college students that they are dangerous, and a series of slasher-esque moments occur as the students’ attempts to get the drop on the duo backfire. The movie is remarkably clever in the way it handles its characters’ beliefs and channels them into comedy.
Even so, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil offers something very specific, and those who aren’t interested in it will get very little from the movie. The movie depends heavily on the viewer investing in Tucker, Dale, and Allison. While it does a good job of making them likable, if they don’t click, nothing else will. The film also sticks to the single, somewhat limited story it sets out to tell; it is modest in scope, rather than a far-reaching parody.
Watch Tucker and Dale vs. Evil when you’re looking for a bit of gory, straightforward fun. The movie takes a creative premise, plays it out earnestly, and accomplishes just what it sets out to do. Steer clear if you’re looking for true horror or are sensitive to gore.
For a horror comedy with a more cerebral story, try Cabin in the Woods. For a more overt, raunchy comedy with similar spirit, try Super Troopers. For a superhero comedy with similarly likable characters, try Shazam!. For a darkly dramatic take on a similar situation, try Deliverance.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fun comedy, great characters, and enough creativity to become a favorite for the right viewer.