The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Pretty Good

Better Late Then Never

Beautiful, moving film.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

A fun and brilliantly gory zombie romp that has the shades of satire present in Romero's zombie movies.

Oh boy! Made with a skill and attention to detail which immediately raises it above all similar fare (including the sequel), RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is one of the those essential horror movies that isn't afraid to play things for laughs. Sharing the same genre as the likes of other classics such as RE-ANIMATOR and EVIL DEAD II, this is a furiously plotted, hilariously acted masterpiece the likes of which don't come along very often! I'd probably say that this is THE movie that best sums up the punkish, counter culture feel of the '80s horror film, complete with dumb teenagers, dumber employees, and even dumber cops and paramedics. For once the heavy metal soundtrack fits in beautifully with the proceedings and its one of those endlessly quotable films that you'll be sampling with your mates in years to come.The cast is uniformly excellent, with the most memorable performers giving over-the-top performances. Whether it be weird bug-eyed embalmer Ernie, as played by Don Calfa, or nude punk Linnea Quigley in the role that rocketed her to scream queen fame, this is a film with some great and surprising turns. Clu Gulager keeps a recommendable straight face throughout in the serious leading role, whilst ghoulish over-the-top antics are provided by the inimitable teaming of Thom Mathews and James Karen. The special effects remain impressive and enjoyable and some are very well achieved – particularly the half-corpse on the operating table.The movie never lets up from the word go, with an excellent pre-credits opening, some great twists and successions as the initial accident turns into a major catastrophe, and the eventual chaos and destruction raining down on the lives of everyone involved. I loved the little things like the butterflies pinned on the board springing to life, or the split dogs. Most of the best laughs come from hilarious encounters with the living dead, whether it be the sawing up of the initial lively cadaver or the tar-man getting his comeuppance at the climax of the movie. Yet the film is also pretty gruesome and frightening with a zombie attack to rival those in Romero's films, on which this is obviously based. Original, mean-spirited, and most of all utterly enjoyable, this is one of my favourite horror comedies which gets better as the years progress and cinema just keeps getting worse.

Return of the living dead is a perfect blend of horror, fantasy and humor following what are suppose to be true events about a group of teenagers taking on an army of cannibalistic evil dead.What is different from the Romero zombies we've become accustomed to is they can ran, talk, indestructible and even think about their actions making them a deadly juggernaut.The humor derives from the over the top reactions of the teenagers and the zombies wanting more cops or paramedics over a radio like they were ordering pizza for a party.The acting isn't half bad with Clu Gulager, James Karen and Thom Mathew who are a powerhouse combo that steal the scenes with their deliveries and actions.The music is rock in, the costumes are punk and the special effects are gruesome making it a hip under- appreciated classic only the 80s could deliver.It really reminds you of other b film types from the golden age of cinema like night of the comet and body searchers with a hero who has to save the day until the military acts, a beautiful leading lady trying to keep her sanity and a threat that grows deadly by the hour. My only complaint about this master piece is the recycled footage during the ending when a still photo shows the zombies being bombed and the acid rain taking over the same cemetery from the beginning. It was to set up a sequel about the survivor's traveling the wasteland left from the nuclear blast and was never made. By today's standards it may be dated, but I find myself popping it in every Halloween to relive the thrill over again. Its grade A material.

Combination of horror, comedy and great acting make this one of my favorite films of all time. A few famous (or at least recognizable) actors certainly helped the acting but the unknown ones are good too. I like that they didn't have a bunch of dumb girls being chased around. There is never a slow moment in this film, like riding a roller coaster. It tells a great story. It isn't too gory but gory enough. The special effects, especially the "dead" talking and moving around, are great and very realistic. You definitely have to see the second Return of the Living Dead as it continues with some of the original characters and is also a great film. The third installment was a bust but viewable. I highly recommend this fun film.