MY NAME IS BRUCE (2008) ***1/2 DVD review by DARK SIDE

Posted on March 27th, 2009

Creating a cinematic love letter to his most loyal fans, the infamous Bruce Campbell, B-movie star extraordinaire, stars in “My Name is Bruce.” Campbell plays himself, or rather an exaggerated fictional version of himself. Here, he’s a boozing, womanizing loser who lives in a trailer and makes drunken crank calls to his ex-wife while starring in Z-grade sequels to his worst B-roles. He’s basically taken on the persona of Ash from the “Evil Dead” franchise for this film. He’s selfish, rude and cowardly. He’s like a school on Sunday… no class. The only time he shows any heroics is after he’s shamed so massively, he has no other choice.

In what amounts to a zany knock-off of “The Three Amigos,” the residents of a small town besieged by a Chinese demon kidnaps Bruce, thinking his experience with monsters in the movies makes him qualified to battle a real one. Bruce, assuming this is a birthday prank perpetrated by his agent, plays along; especially after meeting the alluring town divorcee, Kelly.

It’s got cameos by genre staple Ted Raimi (brother of Sam, playing multiple roles as usual) and Ellen Sandweiss (Cheryl from the original “Evil Dead”). For the diehard fans, Dan Hicks (Jake from “Evil Dead II”) and Timothy Quill (Blacksmith from “Army of Darkness”) show up as gay, redneck lovers.

Expect Campbell movie in-jokes galore. If you’re a fan, you’ll spot non-stop homages scattered throughout the flick. If you’re not a fan, maybe this’ll inspire you to see some of Campbell’s better films.

Better enjoy it because this may be the closest thing we’re gonna get to “Evil Dead 4.”

3 and 1/2 out of 5 stars

Here’s a trailer…

Bruce should try going up against me. I’d send cryin’ home to mama.