'The six senses weren't enough for him....he wanted more !' (From Beyond (DVD))

Member Name: Beggar James

Product:	From Beyond (DVD)
Date:	18/04/01 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Action, gore, maddness and creature-a-plenty

Disadvantages: NONE

From the creators of the most excellent film, 'Reanimator' comes another triumphant modern revisioning of an H.P. Lovecraft tales of terror. This time, it is the story 'From Beyond', and the results may well have made poor H.P shiver with fear.

The plot concerns a scientist, mad in the classic sense, whose invention of a 'sonic resonator' machine allows people to see into other dimension. Apparently there are all manner of horrid creature which surround us at all times, but which we are unable to see, due to us being on different planes of existence. However, the use of the machine also allows the creatures to see humans, and more importantly, to prey upon us. Another side effect is that the machine stimulates the pineal gland of users, causing mutation and maddness. The story basically begins with the death of the scientist at the hands of his assistant (the ever manic Jeffrey Coombs), who insisted he killed a monster and not a man.
Investigators come to the mansion where the crime was committed, and soon find themselves beset by a wide variety of creatures. As they attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery, it becomes apparent that the mad professor may not be as dead as they thought.....

If you have seen 'Reanimator', you should have a good idea of the visceral, icky maddness that Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna are capable of making with Lovecraft's material. The stroy proceeds with an infectious manice enegry, as insanity is heaped upon insanity, and the blood and slime begin to flow. Although the film is not comical as such, there is a feeling of ghoulish fun about the whole affair.

The weird storyline makes a very welcome, and ambitious change from many of the horror films of the 1980's. It's quite refreshing to see a crazy film like this instead of the tired old slaher plot. The film is fast moving, and with all the action is never anything even close to boring. This is well backed
up by the script, which has some great lines in it, all of which are delivered with great aplomb by the game cast of genre favourites.

The action is thick, fast and slimy. There are loads of great effects, and plenty of creatures to marvel at. Some of the effects are very imaginative, and all are impressive. The film really delivers the gore goods as well, with several messy deaths, mutilations and the ick factor is suitably high.

Overall, this is a classic film. Although 'Reanimator' is still Stuart Gordon's finest hour, 'From Beyond' can stand proud as one of the best horror films of the 1980's.

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