Although I love both movies, I think it should be mentioned that ED2 is a comedy - and ED1 is not, it's just unintentionally funny sometimes :D I consider them to be two VERY different movies. ED1 still scares me after all these years - ED2 never did. But sure, I would recommend them both, but for different reasons :)

You are so right, they are very different movies, despite one being a "remake", which is amazing in itself.

ED2 is funny. No doubt about that. I think it certainly can be slid into the Comedy shelf. But if I had to pick a category between Horror or Comedy, I would decidedly put it in Horror. I think ED2 starts out full horror, then slides into "unintentionally" humor, and then rides that tone throughout, hopping into some outlandish dark humor in spots. For me, the beginning is freaky scary, in an effect visceral way, that really gets into your bones. I thought it was really effect in keeping that serious undertone and suspension of disbelief.

The funny scene in ED1 is when Ash's girlfriend is possessed and sitting down in front of the hallway (or room) entrance, and ash starts full swing back-hand slapping the sardines out of her, to no effect. I think that moment was the inception of the ED2 horror dark humor tone.

I thought The Evil Dead (1981) was infinitely better than II. I have never really understood the love for it. I mean it was pretty good, but I just thought the original was much better. If I was to say which to watch, I would actually say watch the first over the second.

I agree, have them both now, definitely like the first one better. I (may) be the only one here who also likes Return of the Living Dead Part 2 as well.