The Films (RE-ANIMATOR 5, BRIDE 4, BEYOND 3.5/ 5)

The works of H.P. Lovecraft have had a mixed life in cinema. While still popular today in book form, the film adaptations have been hit or miss. One example of a hit was 1985’s RE-ANIMATOR from director Stuart Gordon. Based on the novelette Herbert West- Reanimator, Gordon made a new horror icon with the aid of actor Jeffery Combs (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, CASTLE FREAK). Dr. West became one of the charming ghouls in the same league of some of Peter Cushing’s work.

In RE-ANIMATOR, Dr. Herbert West (Combs) has made a sudden move to the Miskatonic University after some strange accidents in Zurich, Switzerland. West’s new roommate is a fellow Medical student named Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) who just happens to be dating the Den’s daughter Meg (Barbara Crampton). Life seems well for the couple until they discover West’s secret. He is working on a chemical that can re-animate corpses. Things get a little more chaotic when the jealous Dr. Hill (David Gale) starts to nose around West’s basement lab.

RE-ANIMATOR brings new life in a familiar Frankenstein like story. But part of why the movie was such a surprise hit in the 80’s was its extreme use of gore and comedy, while keeping a likable cast of characters. The makeup and gore effects are top notch with plenty of blood and slime. The mix of comedy added some iconic moments of macabre beauty. One of the most extreme being a severed head of Dr. Hill being placed on a naked Crampton. The severed head even has a couple nice references to THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE (1959/62). In terms of references, the soundtrack by Richard Band is filled with nods to Bernard Herrmann’s score to PSYCHO. And of course, I can’t forget the green glow stick fluid that works as the reanimating agent.

RE-ANIMATOR was popular enough that a sequel was a given. This time taking over the Director’s chair was producer Brian Yuzna, who just made his directing debut with the bizarre cult hit SOCIETY (1989). Made the same year as SOCIETY, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR pushes new buttons. This time the stakes are higher, and the creature effects are crazier.  Following in the steps of similar bigger scope sequels like James Whales’ BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, there are more characters, more bodies, and plenty of chaos.

Eight months after the events of the first film, West and Cain are back in town and are working at the same Hospital after a being medic in a Peruvian civil war. West has uncovered some new agent to help made new life. This time he is working on piecing together a new creature. But before they can lay low, they must watch out for the dirty cop LT. Chapham (Claude Earl Jones) and the return of a bloodthirsty Dr. Hill.

BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR is an exciting sequel and shows Brian Yuzna talent for outlandish writing and body horror. The only downside is at times the material feels mean spirited. The gore is so wild that it becomes an uneasy mix of comedy and gross. The script’s biggest issue is the love triangle between Dan, his old flame from Peru, Francesca (Fabiana Udenio), and the heart of Meg. It’s a poor character arch, and instead of making me care for Dan I felt disgusted with him. Luckily Herbert West is here, and Jeffery Combs makes his questionable motives believable and he is given plenty of great moments.

In terms of the gore effects, Yuzna hired Screaming Mad George to do all the effects and man is it insane. This whole movie is a showstopping effects event. One of the best being the goretastic Bride formed from Meg’s heart.

In 2003 the Re-animator series would be brought back to life for one more sequel with BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR. Director Producer Brian Yuzna returns to the director’s chair, this time filming the movie in Spain. It was made in part with the Sci-Fi Channel and made its premiere on that channel. Despite the short cuts in production, BEYOND is a worthwhile sequel.

Dr. Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) has been in prison for 13 years after the events of BRIDE. While inside he has uncovered another form of life and hopes to fix the problems with his last few experiments. A new doctor (Jason Barry) comes to work at the prison and it turns out that he is obsessed with West due to the death of his sister. The two decide to work together and start a new lab in the prison. But the Warden (Simon Andreu) isn’t too happy when strange bodies start to show up.

BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR brings back some of the fun missing from BRIDE. The plot is more basic, but the new setting hides the low budget production. Jeffery Combs gets to take center stage and he doesn’t disappoint. He still gets to deliver some great one-liners and gives his best in every scene. As for the rest of the cast, Jason Barry lacks the charisma of Bruce Abbott but still gets to shine. The real gem is Simon Andreu as the sleazy Warden. Andreu made a great impression in some euro horror classics like DEATH WALKS ON HIGH HEELS and THE BLOOD-SPATTERED BRIDE, and he adds a bit of that euro sleaze charm.

Audio/Video (5/5)

Umbrella brings all three movies onto some fantastic looking Blu-rays. RE-ANIMATOR gets a lovely 5.1 DTS-HD MA track with no hiss or issues. The Richard Band score especially sounds wonderful. BRIDE and BEYOND likewise come with a 5.1 DTS-HD MA tracks. There are some minor volume issues at the end of BRIDE. BEYOND sounds great from head to toe. English subtitles are included on all three films.

All three films come with new 1080p HD remastered prints. Of the three BEYOND looks too clean, but otherwise all three are top notch. The Black levels are razor sharp and there is no excessive film grain. The greens are the true highlight thanks to the signature green glowing goo.

Extras (5/5)

Umbrella has released all three films in two special edition blu-rays under there Beyond Genres label. RE-ANIMATOR comes in a two-disc edition with the Unrated version on Disc one. Disc two holds the new Integral cut which adds in deleted footage to the unrated cut. BRIDE and BEYOND are packaged together in a two-disc edition.

The rest of the extras for RE-ANIMATOR are a set of commentaries with Stuart Gordon, the cast, and Producer Brian Yuzna. A making of documentary entitled Re-animator resurrectus is included with plenty of behind the scenes footage and interviews. Rounding out disc one is 16 extended scenes and one deleted scene.

Disc two contains interviews with Director Gordon, Yuzna, writer Denis Paoli, Composer Richard Band, Former Fangoria editor Tony Timpone, trailers, and a music analysis by Band.

BRIDE and BEYOND features a commentary with director Yuzna, a commentary with cast and crew, and a bonus commentary with Jeffery Combs and Bruce Abbott. Brian Yuzna Remembers BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR is a cool interview with the director who mentions the original story idea for Bride which had West working for the US Government and bringing the President back to life. Rounding out the disc is Splatter Madness on the special effects, Getting Ahead in Horror Featurette, Deleted scenes, Dark Adventures Radio presents Herbert West. There is also a BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR making of, and interviews with Yuzna, Combs, Jason Barry, Elsa Pataky, Santiago Segura, and Simon Andreu, and the original trailer.

Overall (4.5/5)

If you don’t already own the series, these editions from Umbrella are a great introduction. All three are perfect for the Halloween season. Check them out. Highly Recommended.