Bruce Campbell: 5 movie rankings that IMDb got wrong
1. Bubba Ho-Tep
In our mind, Bubba Ho-Tep provides Bruce with one of his best roles to date which is why this feature deserves the highest ranking. As an aging Elvis Presley, trapped in the Shady Rest Retirement Home in Texas, depressed and lamenting his former glory days, the actor shines. He isn’t relying on “splatstick” or catchy one liners.
Instead, he dials into the despair that older people can sometimes feel when they have outlived their usefulness in society. While no one has told him that he has cancer, he is convinced that he has it. Without a purpose, he has resigned himself to his fate.
Until he witnesses something unusual one night that will change the course of his life forever. Teaming up with another resident who believes that he is John F. Kennedy, the two embark on a journey that will pit them against an ancient evil, an Egyptian mummy who is hell bent on taking the souls from their fellow infirm residents.
The transition that Campbell makes from the King without his mojo to the savior of his convalescent home is what elevates this quiet, indie movie to cult status and why it is still beloved by that actor’s fans today.
2. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn
Yes, we know that it was ranked number one by IMDb and that for most of Bruce Campbell’s followers it is probably their second favorite flick in the franchise next to Army of Darkness. However, for us, it is a solid choice behind Bubba Ho-Tep.
There are so many reasons why this incarnation of Ash Williams is endlessly entertaining. He has evolved from “final guy” status of the original Evil Dead to a veteran of the Deadite wars.
This is the film where Campbell takes all of those moments from the Three Stooges shorts that he loved as a kid in Michigan and utilizes them in the insane chaotic athleticism of Ash battling his evil hand. You can’t take your eyes off of him during that entire sequence.
When he is exploring the depths of madness before he takes the chainsaw and cuts off his diseased appendage, the actor takes us with him to the edge of sanity. Which is why that action while we cringe at it, seems like the logical remedy.
Of course, he also becomes a leader of sorts and his confidence and bravery grow with each passing moment, culminating in an epic and heroic battle with Henrietta in the cellar. However, the torment doesn’t stop there for Ash.
Instead, he is propelled through a rift and into the 1300’s. The first thing he has to do is kill a flying demon which he does with determination causing the medieval minions to believe he is some sort of god fallen from the sky to rescue them.
Realizing he may be stuck in that time period; the awareness of his fate causes him to cry out in frustration. It is because of Campbell’s acting, that Ash Williams becomes an enduring and beloved cult figure.