Re-Animator
Re-Animator is the quintessential cult movie. If you look at the movie with a professional eye, it just simply shouldn’t be as enjoyable as it is. Yet I own several versions of the movie, including one with a sweet highlighter shaped like a syringe… my only complaint is that the syringe doesn’t glow like the secret formula in the movie.
Re-Animator is a movie from 1985. The plot, which is based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, centers on a doctor by the name of Herbert West. He has found the secret to life in the form of a serum that reanimates the dead. Unfortunately, instead of happy reanimated corpses running around, the reanimated are violent, irrational, and prone to killing people. Re-Animator is the story of Herbert West and his quest for eternal life. There is a love story in there somewhere, but no one much cares about that part of the movie.
The performances of Jeffrey Combs and David Gale are what truly sets this movie apart from other films of the same genre. Sure, lots of movies from the 80’s had over the top gore and humor, but none of them quite manages to capture the professional quirkiness of the characters. Jeffrey Combs, in particular, shines as the baby-faced Herman West. His timing and lines are delivered in such a way that you will laugh, the whole time never really being sure that you were supposed to. David Gale also rules as the delightfully demented Dr. Hill. He is sufficiently creepy throughout his exploits in the film… even before he becomes a decapitated head.
The special effects in this film are wonderful and laced with practical appliances and tons of blood. There’s a reason people (including myself) are always bitching about CGI; it’s because of classic movies like Re-Animator which managed to capture fake reality in such a realistic way.
The movie is directed by Stuart Gordon and if you want to see why Gordon was included on the original Masters of Horror anthology, you need go no further than this movie. Well, I would probably recommend that you don’t delve any further into Gordon’s repertoire because this is by far the best one.
Despite the fact that Re-Animator is over 20 years old, it has aged surprisingly well. The characters are just bland enough that they are timeless in nature. The only thing that will clue you in to the fact that you are watching a movie from 20 years ago is the Talking Heads poster in Herbert West’s buddy’s room.
If one day you wake up and you think to yourself, ‘I would like to see a decapitated head going down on a naked chick, or I want to see naked burn victims running around,’ then pick this movie up. You won’t be disappointed.
Final Synopsis: This is an all time classic. I can’t think of many movies that I enjoy more. The violence and brutality are pumped up. The humor is deadpan and perfect for the feel of this movie, and the film never lacks for interesting visuals. Also, if you ever wanted to know where the glowing serum cliché came from, then you can look right here for the source. If there was only copy of this film left in the world, I would cut off my left nut to get a hold of it… or the Dirty Alternative’s left nut… I’d wear gloves though.
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