RE-ANIMATOR (and, to a lesser extent, its sequel BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR) are fondly regarded by horror fans as dizzying mixes of graphic carnage, gross outs, camp and black comedy, all linked to the H. P. Lovecraft name. Indeed the first low-budget entry in this series remains one of my favourite films of the 1980s, a perfectly-pitched comedy/horror that's up there with the likes of the first RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. This belated sequel marks Brian Yuzna's attempt to kick-start the franchise once more, albeit with a difference (by this point Yuzna had relocated to Spain and was churning out a series of low budget, often outrageous horror movies, including the pretty good DAGON).

The main thing is that Jeffrey Combs returns as Herbert West. Without Combs, this movie would have been a non-starter, but his kooky presence alone accounts for much of the fun here. Combs is one of those actors always typecast in genre flicks, but he brings a certain level of class, enthusiasm, and energy to his movies that make them fun to watch on the most part (Bruce Campbell is a similar type of actor). Bruce Abbott and Stuart Gordon aren't around, but I can live with that. Unfortunately, the plot for BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR is a little woozy. In essence this is a prison film, full of the usual stuff: vendettas, a full-scale riot, evil prison wardens, etc. etc. Herbert West and his experiments are almost a sub-plot, especially towards the climax. I admire the effort to further the plot – this time West is attempting to reintroduce the soul into his victims to stop them from becoming crazed killer zombies – but in the end it's wasted in a huge orgy of bloodshed and gore.

Yep, this is a splatter flick like those made of old, complete with dodgy acting, a pretty rubbish script and plenty of surreal humour. The special effects have progressed somewhat since the '80s, so the half-zombie chap looks pretty decent, and the gore effects are of course more outlandish (the exploded guy is one of the grisliest I've ever seen on film). However, the supporting characters are a little uninteresting and Yuzna's constant emphasis on the lowest forms of humour (a battle between a zombie rat and a severed penis gives you some idea of the film's sophistication) mean that this film can't hold a candle to the original. It's worth a watch for fans, but it's a film that will be quickly forgotten afterwards.

By now you'd think that people should be aware that bringing back dead people is not turning up being a good thing. Well except for the entertainemnt of the viewers of this of course. But people keep giving in, even being smitten by Jeffrey Combs character. But here we go again, for one last time (at least it looks that way, because the script for number 4 was apparently crazy - yes, even crazier than anything they've done up to this point).

So get your green goo on and sit back and take it in. They may have lost a head (or rather the actor who was behind the head, may he rest in peace),but they found another actor for a similar role - you always need someone who is at least as evil as the one guy you may or may not be rooting for. And that ending ... too funny. And that is before the shadow play during the end credits!

I loved the first Re-Animator movie. "Bride of Re-Animator" was OK. This one is over-the-top, completely twisted, and just plain clean, gory, bloody, guts spattering about, eyeballs crawling around, penis-attacks-rat fun.

This isn't a movie that takes itself seriously, and you shouldn't, either.

Jeffrey Combes is wonderful, as always, as Dr. Herbert West. Dr. West has figured out (or so he thinks) what was missing in his previous "experiments." Needless to say, it doesn't work as planned (hey, it's "just a theory"),and much mayhem ensues. Much. Much more than in the first two movies. Think "Attica" meets "Night of the Living Dead" meets "Freaky Friday." Yes, it's that far off the deep end.

I would recommend this film highly to anyone who enjoys a humorous splatter flick. If you're not a deranged gorehound, you probably won't like this one. Speaking as a longtime deranged gorehound, however, I can safely say that this is one of the finest films ever made in its genre, and certainly worthy of several Academy Awards.

I did mention that I was deranged, right?

Yeah, I did. And if you are, too, see this movie. And don't forget to watch the absolutely classic "Move Your Dead Bones" video that also comes on the DVD. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll like it better than "Cats."

Kudos to Brian Yuzna!