Re-Animator
(1985)
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| Directed by: |
Stuart
Gordon
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| Starring: |
Jeffrey
Combs/Herbert West |
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Bruce
Abbott/Dan Cain |
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Barbara
Crampton/Megan Halsey |
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David
Gale/Doctor Carl Hill |
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| RATING
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PLOT-CRUNCH:
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Obsessive med student Herbert West (Combs) has discovered a serum that
re-animates dead bodies. With the help of fellow student Dan Cain
(Halsey), he tries to perfect his serum to horrifying results. They’re
alive!!!!!!!
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THE
LOWDOWN: |
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Based on a HP Lovecraft tale, Re-Animator is a funny, disgusting film that’s
somewhat dated but is still good bloody fun. This flick is not to be taken
seriously. It’s a low budget entry with over the top gore, gratuitous
nudity and drama straight out of a soap opera. The pacing is a tad off and
the effects are weak compared to today’s standards but the movie’s
heart is in the right place and its imagination never stops flowing. The
film always tries to out gross itself and for gorehounds (like me) that’s
a wonderful goal. Witnessing the hijinx between Dr. Hill's head and his
body is freaking hilarious. The love scene Hill’s head has with Miss
Crampton is also a delight and pushes the envelope far beyond the line of
good taste. Is the film scary? No. Does it have suspense? Some. Is it
funny and gooey? You bet your dead ass! Re-Animate this!
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| ACTING: |
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Jeffrey Combs plays it big as the wide-eyed West and his performance is a
treat to watch. Bruce Abbot underplays it as the Cain man and delivers a
solid show. Barbara Crampton is all charm but is stuck with lots of bad
lines and too much crying. David Gale is chilling and hilarious as the
doctor who redefines the term "giving head".
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| GORE: |
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Lots of bloodshed, bit off fingers, cut off head but my fav is without a
doubt the intestine attack.
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| T
& A: |
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Barbara Crampton shows off her beautiful knockers.
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| DIRECTING: |
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Mainly straightforward, with the occasional nice shot. I felt the
directing needed a bit more style, a bit more oomph but on a whole this is
an ambitious first try for Gordon.
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| SOUNDTRACK: |
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A rip-off of the "Psycho" theme courtesy of Charles Band.
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| BOTTOM LINE: |
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Re-Animator paved the way for films like Bad Taste and Dead
Alive. It brought back the mad scientist vibe from the grave and gave a
fresh spin to the zombie genre. The performances are fun and the film is
all about excess. Check out this cult classic
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| BULL'S EYE: |
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The scene where Cain pops a zombie’s eyes with his fingers was a tough
one for Abbott. It was filmed at 4am in the morning and the stuff leaking
out of the zombie onto his face was cow guts…"puke"
The
Arrow interviews Barbara Crampton here
Discuss
this movie on the Arrow's HORROR BOARD
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