Rabid Weasels (The Return of the Living Dead (DVD))

Member Name: Beggar James

Product:	The Return of the Living Dead (DVD)
Date:	17/05/01 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny and gory, even for non-genre fans, Great script, Plenty of zombie action

Disadvantages: None

This is definitely one of the best horror flicks of the 1980s, and one of the greatest zombie films of all time. Even for non-genre fans, this horror comedy has a great deal to offer, with thrills, spills and a great script to boot.

The plot for this film builds from the interesting premise that the events in Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead' actually happened. It appears that the military managed to stop the zombie contamination, although there are still a few infected cadavers around, stored in metal drums. One of these drums turns up in the basement of a medical supply warehouse, where it is accidently opened. A gas seeps from it, infecting the hapless workers and reanimating a couple of corpses. As the story unfolds, the contagion spreads, and the hungry inhabintants of the nearby graveyard rise in search of fresh brains. As in 'Night of the Living Dead' a group of characters are trapped in the builing, desperately trying to keep the increasing number of ghouls at bay, whilst searching for a way to escape....

'Return of the Living Dead' was made bt Dan O'Bannon, who scripted such films as 'Alien', and as you might expect, the writing here is very strong. The script is well above average for a horror film, and considering that this is a 1980's zombie flick, that's no small consideration. There are a great deal of funny lines and amusing situations, which give the film a real lift. It's good to see a film which can introduce humour into the horror without degenerating into simple spoofery.

In relation to this, some thought has actually gone into the characters. Although they are not likeable folks, its a nice change to have some potential victims who are ar least interesting. The acting is passable, and genre fans will also be pleased to see Linneas Quigley in an early role.

Another way in which the film keeps things interesting si by employing a few variations on the usua
l zombie themes. These ghouls can talk, and are often heard to be moaning after their favourite dish, 'BRAINS !'. This talking makes the flesheaters seem a little more dangerous and intelligent than your average brain-dead walking corpse.

The film has plenty of action for the fans, and it moves along at a brisk pace, with gore-a-plenty. There are some nice make up effects too, with some impressive decaying cadavers on show.

Overall, this is an amusing, exciting and gory film. It's pretty much everything a horror fan could ask for, and in a genre plagued by medicority, it's a breath of fresh air.

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