A Bloody Funny Misunderstanding

Words are funny (and I don’t necessarily mean ha ha funny). Let me explain by way of an example: if I were to say, select the highest number between 5 and 8 – half of you would likely say 8, while some others would choose 7 (or 7.9), depending on how you perceive the word between. I use the word perceive, because perception is equally as fickle. Three people witnessing an automobile accident can sometimes see three very different things. Words and perception are used in clever fashion to exhume bloody humour in the 2010 comedy/horror flick Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.

Co-writer/director Eli Craig (as well as second co-scribe Morgan Jurgenson) flip our perception of what ‘should be’ from the very beginning. Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) are two, for lack of a better word, hillbillies. . . but not those of horror past who enjoy slaughtering local travellers. They are kind and simple rural folk who are ecstatic to have just purchased a fixer-upper of a summer cottage. On the opposing side are the prototypical college kids – who are heading out for some sort of camping spring break. They cross paths with the locals, never getting a positive perspective on them. It does not help that Dale is carrying a sickle (much like the grim reaper) as he approaches the women to introduce himself. Low on confidence, Tucker tells him to smile and laugh a lot (as it will make him look more self-assured), though it comes off more like insanely menacing.

The college students ignore the warning that comes from the gas station – Last Chance Gas, and head out into the backwoods, which just happens to be where Tucker and Dale have their cabin.

Bloody hilarity ensues as the two gangs continuously bump into each other. The first misconception comes when Tucker and Dale rescue the only sensible vacationer, Allison (Katrina Bowden), after she tumbles into the lake. The duo were out fishing, and pull the knocked out gal from the water. The other kids, watching in horror, run as the pair yell out “we got your friend!”.

Without ruining all of the gags, every time they meet leads to another misunderstanding. Allison, who takes a liking to the shy Dale, helps him as he is digging a hole for their new outhouse. A farm girl, she is handy at the task, though all that the onlooking college kids can see is their friend digging her own grave. Each stupid action taken by the visiting gang aimed at rescuing their friend leads to a disastrous end, which causes Tucker to misconstrue what they are doing, thinking that they actually have a suicide pact – to which Dale replies, “My God, that makes so much sense”.

Every horror trope, including chainsaw and creepy dilapidated house, is slayed in this one. In an intriguing twist on age old idioms, the leader of the students, Chad (Jesse Moss), turns into a type of villain, while Allison – the striking young lass, fits in better with the hillbillies than with any of her ‘so called’ friends.

The premise works so well thanks to the wonderful performances by Tudyk and Labine. They have superb chemistry and concoct two different characters, that, in their own way, are touching. Tudyk’s Tucker is clearly the leader of the two, but also tries to mentor his meek friend so that he can gain some backbone . . . though sometimes halfheartedly, as is the case when they are out fishing and there is only one beer left (he chastises Dale for giving up on the beer, but when the man tries to grab it, Tucker makes sure the suds land in his possession). Labine’s Dale is a sympathetic character, as he lacks confidence in every which way. A follower for all of his life, he believes he is dumb, ugly and always in the wrong (which leads him to apologize as much as a Canadian). In reality, he has a sharp memory, which allows him to remember anything he is told, and is charming as well as utterly thoughtful.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil pays homage to the typical horror tropes of old, all while skewering them to great comedic effect. Though quite bloody, including a scene with a wood chipper that loosely pays tribute to Fargo, the film is tolerable as it is done to garner laughs, not to disturb, like movies such as Hostel, Saw or countless others. I believe I’ve hit the nail on the head with this review, so I hope you’ll check this one out to discover some tricks for enjoying your next summer vacation.