If you think that Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead 2” is the horror/comedy that has succeeded more than any other film in making fun of every other horror movie ever made, I urge you to consider giving “The Cabin In The Woods” a chance. Featuring a moronic and not the least bit sensitive plot, it could potentially be 2012’s best horror comedy – and it ironically sat on the shelf waiting for release for quite awhile. 

The stage is set for greatness right off the bat with the awesome title card displaying the movie’s name (which gives away the plot of the movie), “The Cabin In The Woods.” A group of five friends get into a camper and head to their cabin in the woods (does this sound like “Evil Dead 2” yet?) As is custom in horror films, the friends stop at a seemingly abandoned gas station where their forthcoming unfavorable situation adumbrates. 

They head to the cabin, check out the creepy basement, and the fun is triggered immediately. The characters of the five friends are so on point – there’s two football players (one loud and bombastic, the other quiet and reserved), a clouded up stoner, and two gorgeous females – one of them a prude and one of them a slut who willingly makes out with a wolf taxidermy in a game of truth or dare. Kristen Connolly plays the role of the prude Dana, and she is certainly a stunning young woman perfect for the role. 

I don’t want to give anything away, but the real catch of the movie is the presence of Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford’s characters. They are Sitterson and Hadley, two guys wearing all white doctors outfits that seem to be scientists whose roles in the film aren’t given away until about the halfway point.  Whitford, who you may remember as Adam Sandler’s arch nemesis in “Billy Madison,” just brings this powerfully sarcastic vibe to the screen every time he appears. He plays that irritating guy that you know is not going to get his way in the end, and I totally dig those types of characters because of their self-awareness.

In terms of what genre of film “ The Cabin In The Woods” is, it’s certainly a horror movie targeted at film buffs. It may or may not find a footing with general audiences, but those of us that do appreciate film should surely hope that it does. A movie like this could open up the doors for the comeback of truly authentic yet cheesy slasher films that we were once exposed to in the 70’s and 80’s. 

In not too many words, it’s like a slasher film "Evil Dead 2" meets "Friday The 13th" meets “The Truman Show.” It’s shot well enough so that it’s frightening at certain points but also so that the more comedic parts of the movie are everlasting – i.e. the boob shots and the marijuana use. Drew Goddard's directorial debut (which he also co-wrote with Joss Whedon) is well worth the watch if you like silly and scary stuff, and especially if you're a fan of good ol' horror movies.

Grade: A-