Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Horror comedies can be a tricky sell, because they must usually find a balance between the scares and the laughs. While Tucker & Dale vs. Evil doesn't quite fit that description, it succeeds in putting on a clever twist on the average horror movie plot by turning the hicks into heroes and the horny and idiotic college students into the antagonists.

The title characters, upon first impression, would fit the bill for your typical horror movie villains. They're unkempt, messy, and they carry tools that can be used as murder weapons. Dale, in particular, seems to nail this look down to a T, making a bad first impression upon his later love interest, Ali. Through a series of confusions and "not-what-it-looks-like" situations, the duo becomes the target of revenge by the deranged leader of the teens, leading to quite literally bloody hilarious outcomes.

Tucker & Dale's spin on the genre is it's main selling point and it puts all the elements of satire to good use without being too forced or in-your-face. The guys are actually likeable, if not somewhat dim-witted fellows, just trying to fix up their summer home. Ali even overcomes the horror lead female stigma. She is as smart as she is lovely, making it obvious why Dale goes for her. Even Chad, the bloodthirsty villain of the film, manages to be hilariously over-the-top in his unstoppable vendetta against hillbillies, leading to a pretty funny "twist" at the end.

In addition to being a horror satire, one can see this as a shot toward today's typical preppy and moronic college students who know nothing but drinking and riding anything that moves. Chad, the archetypical tough guy, is seen trying to put the moves on Ali, a beautiful blonde who proves to be smarter than she looks. They are also quick to judge Tucker and Dale based on their redneck appearance before only Ali sees them for who they really are.

For all it's gory mayhem and sometimes juvenile gags, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil  is funny, charming, and entertaining.