This second, loosely structured collection of stories and production notes and rants includes more of the same, though its tone is markedly different. That's because the arc of Campbell's career, over the years this book deals with (roughly 2000 to the present), stopped being an arc and became a plateau. In the years since 2000, Campbell went from being a working actor to a successful working actor – not a star, perhaps, but a recognized face and a staple of the convention circuit...That is perhaps why the hungry edge of Campbell's first book is somewhat blunted, here; a sense of urgency is lacking, and rushing in to fill that vacuum is a relaxed penchant for sardonic bloviation. That's perfectly fine, insofar as the book's prospective readers want to imagine themselves bellied up at some musty dive bar with Campbell's garrulous, opinionated storyteller.
Even if Hail to the Chin doesn’t make Bruceniks of us all, die-hard fans will embrace it as canon ... Fans will also discover that headliner Jeffrey Donovan, 10 years Campbell’s junior, 'became like a younger brother to me.' And they will savor the news that big bad Bruce turns the wild lavender on his Oregon property into sweet-smelling soaps and sachets — ideal gifts for the fragrant Teamsters on the Miami-based set.
Campbell sheds further light on the (decidedly unglamorous) existence of a B-list actor, and fans of his work will undoubtedly be excited to read more from the enigmatic movie star ... Chock-full of amusing anecdotes about the underappreciated B-list movie industry. Hand to admirers of Campbell's previous book and fans of the talkies.
Whether recounting his life in the boondocks of south Oregon or the making of the dud The Man with the Screaming Brain in Bulgaria, Campbell, backed by co-author Sanborn, and his B-movie anecdotes, are thoroughly engaging and witty.
Campbell returns with another self-effacing memoir about his life on the big and small screen ... Campbell is an amusing raconteur, sharing stories about shooting the indie film My Name Is Bruce in his backyard, working on his old friend Sam Raimi’s Spiderman movies, and spending seven seasons on Burn Notice ... Campbell is always entertaining, and his smart-ass style makes for a groovy ride. He ends his book with his thoughts on both the Evil Dead movie remake and his current Ash vs. Evil Dead TV series. Fans will eagerly await a sequel.
Campbell describes this book as 'part two of a three-act story,' and it often feels like a place holder, following the surprise success of If Chins Could Kill (2001) and anticipating whatever is to come ... A breezy read through a breezy life.
