Movie Review - Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2011)

Starring Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, and Katrina Bowden

Directed by Eli Craig

***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***

I certainly wasn't expecting anything from this, but when it popped up on Netflix Instant today, I figured I'd give the 80-minute Tucker and Dale vs. Evil a shot...and I was pleasantly surprised.  A horror comedy based upon a series of epic miscommunications, when a group of college kids head into West Virginia for a camping trip, they come across sweet hillbillies Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) and mistake them for crazy folks.  When the gorgeous Allison (Katrina Bowden) falls into the lake and gets knocked unconscious, Tucker and Dale rescue her.  Allison's college buddies, however, are certain that the two countryfolk have kidnapped her and head out on a rescue mission.  Unfortunately for them, a series of mishaps cause bodies to start building up, painting Tucker and Dale as mass murderers instead of the lovable guys that they really are.

Although the film falters a bit in the final act, this was a more than enjoyable diversion with winning performances from the two leads. Tyler Labine, in particular, was actually rather charming as the shy Dale and absolutely helped raise the bar in terms of the quality on display in the flick.  In fact, considering that Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a send-up of slasher movies, all the acting is much better than I ever could have expected.  Laughs abound (who knew impalements could actually invoke laughter?) and the gore level is more than adequate although never grotesque.

The RyMickey Rating:  B