Return of the Living Dead (1985)

After rupturing top secret bio waste drums, two bumbling clerks and the manager of a medical storehouse try to get rid of the reanimated remains only to accidentally seed the rainclouds above and have it rain on a graveyard.

God! This film hasn’t changed when I first saw it. This was a silly stupid fun film back in the day. Seeing this movie is like unearthing that toy you played with so much as a kid and you just find it in the back of the attic or basement or even pawnshop. The characters are fluid and real. The makeup effect is awesome for the time. While Russo tried to revitalize the “zombie genre” without stepping on George Romero’s toes and pulls it off with flying colors. And if you all don’t know why Linnea Quigly got famous, check out this movie and you will pretty much find out why. Mind the Barbie codpiece.

I really have nothing bad to say about the movie. Yes, the movie is cheesy, but it’s supposed to be cheesy. It’s supposed to be funny. That’s the purpose of the whole thing. For those who throw temper tantrum that Zombies don’t run, they run, work and talk. So all you getting your undies in a bunch need to sit down, shut up and watch this movie. Not only do the zombies bring a good amount of comedy as well as the element of impending doom and horror. Other then that and maybe the styles at the times which is a nitpick, this is a classic.

The DVD is cool. I love the DVD. Visuals and audio is alright. The extra include documentary on the movie with interviews with most of the cast, a look at the effects art that was used as inspiration for the special effects. Film and TV trailers and two commentaries. One by O’Bannon and will Stout and another by the cast. While I like the O’Bannon commentary, the cast commentary wasn’t my cup of tea. The reason being that they added “zombies” to the commentary. Why? I don’t know. Maybe to be hip with the kids or something. You might like it though. All this covered with a glow in the dark sleeve.

four stars.

Coming Attractions

Hell of The Living Dead (1980)

A military unit is sent to New Guinea to shut down a faulty chemical plant and run into a couple of journalists sent to cover the plant as well as flesh eating zombies.

Dubbed “the worst zombie movie ever”, it really shows. There is liberal uses of stock footage, a soundtrack ripped from Goblin’s Dawn of The Dead score as well as concepts and costumes. Let’s not beat around the bush, it’s Dawn of The Dead in New Guinea. Even the makeup fx is bad. It’s like they took a bunch of crap and just put it on their face and started to walk slow. “Look at me. I’m like walking slow with crap on my face. I’m so like a zombie!” Cut to stock footage of elephants. Oh look! Boobies! Cut to stock footage of humming birds. “AAGGHHHH! I’m Totally getting attacked by a zombie!! AAAGGGHH!!” Cut to stock footage of Batman. That’s almost the whole movie right there. Cut to stock footage of Leave It To Beaver.

Now, just by saying it’s bad, doesn’t mean it’s a complete wash. Franco Garofalo does his best to work with the material given to him and the people he’s working with, thus making him one of the more intriguing characters of the film. And there’s boobies. And….yeah. That’s it.

This movie would be good if you’re really bored or you and friends want to have a laugh or two. Otherwise, if you’re a collector, get this when your financially tight.

Two stars.