Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

Written by Jonathan Jacobs

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is the quintessential anti-horror, horror film. En route to what promises to be a sex-filled vacation, a group of carousing college kids encounter two malicious looking hillbillies. The self-appointed leader of the crew is Chad (Jesse Moss), a hotheaded horn dog out for revenge. Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) may look like bumpkins but they are pure marshmallow inside. Tucker and Dale are the bestest of friends and they have a mushy sentimental streak. The college vacationers consist of dweebs and toolboxes and hot chicks. Only one of the ladies has any semblance of intellect, and her name is Allison (Katrina Bowden). The stage is set for a larger-than-life brouhaha between the "hillbillies" and the "preppies". The question is, who are the good guys and who are the evildoers, the title of the film notwithstanding?

It is clear from the outset that Chad has a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder. He believes that all women want him and all men want to be him. Unfortunately for Allison and the entire unsuspecting group of collegiates, their vacation is no random occurrence, it is a premeditated trip planned by a man with a grudge to settle come hell or high hillbillies.

Meanwhile Tucker and Dale are very sweet. Heck, I wish I had friends like them. They are respectful to one another, encourage each other's ambitions, and are looking forward to a holiday at their first ever vacation property. Granted, the log cabin's location leaves much to be desired, and it is rather dilapidated, but it has real promise once you overlook the bones, gas canisters and metal spikes protruding from the walls. Despite being more than civil and down-to-earth, it could be conceivable for urban spectators to get the wrong impression of these two best friends. They wear cheap overalls, and Dale sports a rather unkempt beard. Tucker looks normal but his manner of speaking is reminiscent of a tremendously southern individual.

While fishing in the lake nearby their new cabin, Tucker and Dale witness a beautiful young college girl, Allison, slip and hit her head. Dale bravely rescues her from drowning. When they attempt to alert the college kids about her accident, they believe Tucker and Dale are serial murderers that have abducted their friend. Their fears are fueled by Chad's lunatic ravings. When the two friends take Allison to their cabin to revitalize her, the friends are busy plotting how to injure or kill the hillbillies in order to affect her rescue. Tucker and Dale are naive and believe the kids will literally knock on their door and retrieve the girl.

When Allison awakens she and Dale develop a sort of friendship and mutual understanding. All the while, outside, all hell is breaking loose with the over-imaginative students. One by one the students kills themselves by accident while trying to murder Tucker and Dale. It is a struggle to the finish for everyone involved, and no matter how innocent they may be, Tucker and Dale look like murderous villains. Therein lies the hysterical comedy.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is horror turned on its head in order to find comedy. It is absolutely delightful, particularly when wine or alcohol is added to the fray. Were I to have watched this in the theater rather than On Demand I am fairly certain I would have demanded a refund and or thrown a tantrum and decried the dumbed-down state of Hollywood. However, in a controlled setting, at home on a Saturday night enjoying a bottle of wine (I drink about once or twice a year), the previews struck a chord and voila, I watched the humor-infused version of horror. We might as well call it a Halloween Horror Night! In all seriousness, this is a fun film and one that can be quoted endlessly. Tucker and Dale's lines are as good as any Will Ferrell has exclaimed in any of his movies. 10/10 for originality, and 2/10 for everything else.