Re-Animator Movie Review

Based on H.P. Lovecraft's serial novella, this grisly Gothic deals with a medical student (Jeffrey Combs) who re-animates the dead and finds that his problems are only beginning. It has become a black-humor cult classic for its numerous excesses and terrific acting. The famous “head” scene is horror/sf's equivalent to the campfire scene in Blazing Saddles. Director Stuart Gordon was a Chicago theatre director before directing this entertaining gorefest; Combs has become a familiar character actor specializing in psychosis. Barbara Crampton, who's become a scream-queen favorite, has done several more sci-fi and horror features, and also joined the cast of a day-time soap opera. Available in “R” and un-rated versions, plus a special remastered “10th Anniversary” edition containing extra footage and commentary by director and cast. For true fans, it's required viewing; far and away the best of the three. Followed by the disappointing Bride of Re-Animator.

1984 86m/C Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale, Robert Sampson; D: Stuart Gordon; W: Stuart Gordon, Dennis Paoli, William J. Norris; M: Richard Band. VHS, Beta, LV LIV, VES