Beyond Re-animator (2003)

Beyond Re-animator (2003)

By the time this movie was released, I had written off the Re-animator series and gave this flick a big old pass. So, up until this week, I never saw this very enjoyable romp of a horror flick. I caught this on Time Warner's FearNet VOD options. I was surprised how much fun it was and how well it was made and acted. While still not a great film nor a classic, this was better than many films I've seen lately.

At this time of its release, I think this film may have been a victim of the market place. Horror fans were kneedeep in exploring the J-Horror explosion, even the Freddy vs. Jason film was being directed by an Asian director. Even though this film was being produced by the Spanish production compay Filmax, by the time it made it to the States, it had missed it's opportunity to capitalize on the success and following of the previous two movies, Re-Animator and Bride of the Re-Animator.

So, after seeing it some 5 years later, I think this movie may need a revisit. The cast hams it up wonderfully from Jeffrey Combs to Simón Andreu as Warden Brando, especially in his later Rat-Zombie incarnation. Heh, too much fun.

The movie is set in a prison, but it really doesn't play out a prison film. The prisoners really don't spend that much time behind bars -- in fact, West is shown in his cell only in one scene. Every other scene, he's either in the courtyard or the operating room/laboratory or somewhere in between. This could have just as easily been set in an asylum or a bording school.

The effects by Screaming Mad George are chessy but in a magnificently fun way. One cell mate spends the later part of the film as a zombie from the waist up in what may be the highlight of the film. Another injects himself with West's syrum as if it were a street drug and explodes into zombie-dom -- continuing to persue his junky ways.

Brian Yuzna directs with his almost-there flair. He has a few shining moments of atmosphere, such as West's final moments on film, but most of the film is about getting from one scene to another. At times the movie is top notch and at other times it appears made-for-tv. It almost appears as if they were running out of money at the end of filmmaking and had to make cuts. Even at it worst, it's still highly watchable and a better-than-usual effort from Yuzna.

In the end, I enjoyed Beyond Reanimator and that's what counts the most. I had a great time watching it even with its flaws. It held my attention throughout and left me with a smile on my face. I can't think of a better complement for a film.

So, here's the trailer ... Beyond Re-animator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WMpKfkm9S0