Favorites And Flops
Every performer carries a mixed bag of roles, and Campbell is no exception. His journey through comedies, horror, and odd experiments shows both his best work and the films that missed the mark. From a shameless Twister knockoff to the incredible dramatic depth of Bubba Ho-Tep, Campbell has certainly run the gambit.
Here are some of Campbells biggest wins—and biggest missteps.
Army Of Darkness
Bruce Campbell, wielding a chainsaw in medieval times, remains one of cinema's most iconic images. Sam Raimi transported his wisecracking hero Ash Williams back to 1300 AD for this 1992 trilogy finale. His delivery of lines like "This is my boomstick!" has become legendary.
The actor’s physical comedy skills reach their peak as he battles skeleton armies with quips and boomsticks. Army of Darkness showcases Campbell's range from cowardly everyman to reluctant hero. Critics praised his "hammy charm" and ability to sell ridiculous dialogue with conviction.
Universal Pictures, Army of Darkness (1992)
Evil Dead II
This 1987 sequel seamlessly blends horror and comedy in a way never seen before. Sam Raimi had a $3.5 million budget to refine his vision. Campbell battles his own severed hand in scenes worthy of Charlie Chaplin while maintaining genuine scares.
The performance required incredible stamina as the hero screams, fights, and pratfalls for 84 minutes. His chemistry with practical effects creates memorable moments like the laughing scene and hand-chopping sequence. Campbell's athletic ability shines through demanding stunts and fight choreography.
Rosebud Releasing Corporation, Evil Dead II (1987)
Bubba Ho-Tep
Here, he plays an aging Elvis Presley in a Texas nursing home, complete with perfect vocal inflections and mannerisms. The premise sounds ridiculous. Elvis and JFK fight an Egyptian mummy, but Campbell's committed performance elevates every scene. He spent months perfecting The King's speech patterns.
Critics praised Campbell's unexpected dramatic depth and ability to find humanity in absurd circumstances. The story is based on a novella by Joe R Lansdale and won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Screenplay. It has a mix of dark humor, suspense, and touching moments.
Vitagraph Films, Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)
The Evil Dead
This breakout performance launched his career and defined horror's everyman hero. As Ash Williams, he starts as an ordinary college student before becoming the sole survivor. The plot centers on five Michigan State University students—Ash Williams, his girlfriend Linda, his sister Cheryl, Scott, and Scott's girlfriend Shelly.
The actor’s natural charisma makes audiences root for his survival against impossible odds. His performance is said to strike a balance between vulnerability and growing determination as friends become monsters. Besides, Campbell's athletic background helps sell the physical demands of fighting possessed deadites.
New Line Cinema, The Evil Dead (1981)
My Name Is Bruce
This is a comedy horror film directed by and starring Bruce Campbell as a fictionalized version of himself. In the movie, Bruce is mistaken for his famous horror movie character and gets pulled into a small town's struggle with an absolute monster.
Critics and viewers praise Campbell's energetic and charismatic performance as himself, noting his ability to carry the movie with humor and charm. It may not be for everyone due to its niche humor and uneven pacing, but it is recommended for fans who enjoy the star’s horror-comedy mashups.
Image Entertainment, My Name Is Bruce (2007)
The Man With The Screaming Brain
Another campy science fiction slapstick comedy film starred and was directed by Bruce Campbell. Reviews are mixed, but often highlight Campbell’s lively and charismatic performance. Ted Raimi’s acting as the mad scientist’s assistant is noted for stealing scenes with over-the-top comedic flair.
The film holds on to its B-movie aesthetic with goofiness instead of seriousness. Overall, Campbell shines as he balances playing a vain American businessman merged mentally with a former Communist cab driver, delivering charm and humor that enhance the quirky, bizarre premise.
Syfy, The Man With The Screaming Brain (2005)
Maniac Cop
Its plot unfolds in New York City, where a figure dressed as a police officer commits brutal murders, developing widespread fear and mistrust of law enforcement. Jack Forrest is wrongfully accused of the killings after being framed by the real Maniac Cop, Matt Cordell, played by Robert Z'Dar.
Maniac Cop is a cult classic American slasher film directed by William Lustig. Campbell stars as Officer Jack Forrest Jr. Many reviews talk about him for bringing a natural charm and presence to his role. The climax involves intense confrontations and a showdown at a warehouse.
Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment, Maniac Cop (1988)
Spider-Man 2
In Spider-Man 2, the actor has a memorable cameo as a snooty usher who refuses to let Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) into a play featuring Mary Jane Watson. Campbell’s character humorously insists that no one is seated after the doors have closed.
His character is so well-liked that it inspired a humorous Marvel comic book appearance where the character makes a return, thus making the cameo part of Marvel Comics canon. However, even the grooviest actor has his off days. Next up are Campbell's most forgettable efforts.
Sony Pictures Releasing, Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The Color Of Time
Campbell's involvement in this 2012 dramatic ensemble about poet CK Williams represents one of his most misguided career choices. The film attempts to chronicle the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet's life through pretentious artistic vignettes that fail to connect meaningfully with the audience.
Campbell's dramatic performance feels out of place among the overwrought poetry adaptations and meandering narrative structure. His natural charisma cannot overcome the film's fundamental lack of coherent storytelling. The movie earned dreadful reviews across the board, with critics calling it a “poetic road trip”.
Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons
Tornado!
This made-for-TV disaster movie represents the actor at his most forgettable in a shameless Twister knockoff. He plays a cowboy storm chaser trying to convince a government auditor to fund his tornado detection machine. Campbell’s acting feels phoned-in as he delivers generic action hero dialogue.
The role requires none of his signature physical comedy or horror movie sensibilities. Tornado! lacks any of the production values or genuine thrills that made "Twister" successful. His chemistry with co-stars feels forced as the script provides no memorable moments or quotable dialogue.
Alien Apocalypse
Talk about this man’s least inspired leading man performance. He plays an astronaut who returns to Earth to find humanity enslaved by insectoid aliens, but his performance is low on conviction and energy. Campbell appears to be going through the motions without investing in the ridiculous premise.
His typically reliable charisma feels absent throughout most of the film's runtime. The low-budget production values cannot excuse Campbell's unusually lifeless acting in material that should suit his B-movie sensibilities perfectly. Where is the wit and resourcefulness that made his best roles memorable?
Serving Sara
Unfortunately, in Serving Sara, audiences saw the star as a process server alongside Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley in a film that wastes his unique talents on generic comedy beats. His acting feels constrained by the studio system requirements, eliminating most of what makes him distinctive.
The film follows their wild journey filled with humorous mishaps, chases, and cons as they try to find Gordon (Campbell), who is elusive and protected by a bodyguard. Along the way, Joe (Perry) and Sara (Hurley) develop romantic feelings for each other amid the chaos.
Paramount Pictures, Serving Sara (2002)
