Synced with the 31 Day Horror Movie Challenge

“We got your friend! Hey! Where they goin’?”

Story: 3 days ago, Tucker and Dale just wanted to get away to their brand new cabin “vacation home” . But those damn college kids keep dying all over the place. WTF, bro?

Scares: Mostly chuckles with a chance of guffaws.

Splat factor: PLENTY. Co-eds die in gross, hilarious ways. No, those two adjectives are not mutually exclusive.

Closing scene “shocker”?: Nope.  YAY!

Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: 100% original.

Trick or Treat?: I can’t believe I haven’t covered this movie in a 31 in 31 yet! Because it’s freaking awesome.

Situational humor and comedic irony are the rule of the day here. Preppy college kids don’t trust the West Virginia locals, and vice versa. One misunderstanding after another, and the bodies start piling up. Have I mentioned it’s funny as hell?  This is the movie for your friends that don’t mind bloody cop movies, but aren’t into horror.  It’s a gateway drug, if you will.

A few quibbles though.  The obligatory “this one time long ago” tale of 80s kids heading to the woods and getting slashed doesn’t tie in very well with the overall story. The “big reveal” is kinda meh. The slam-bang climax feels like just another genre film once the humor takes a back seat to the action. But otherwise this is a perfect horror comedy.  Pair it with Cabin in the Woods for a groovy double-feature.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil came out 5 years ago, and it’s already a horror/comedy classic.  Get to it y’all.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins.