Review of The Return of the Living Dead (1985) by Michael M — 03 Oct 2017

This film is a bizarre mix of elements that delivers on it's promise of schlocky fun horror. I don't mean that as a backhanded compliment, even if it sounds like one. In my opinion, one of the main strengths of this film lie with the tone carried throughout.

The hokey tongue in cheek dialogue, the absurdity of the situation that they find themselves in, and the bloody slapstick all blend together rather well. Odd enough still is how effectively creepy and unsettling several moments can be.

There is this naturalistic body horror that I attach to scenes of people being eaten alive, or when we are shown the bloody remains of the victims. Not to mention watching the slow degeneration of Burt and Freddy as rigor mortis begins to set in, which is its own form of horror.

Like the horror of watching a loved one slowly die before your eyes without the means to stop it. This, combined with the eerie concept of the zombie's self awareness of their decaying state motivating them to seek out fresh brains, add another level of horror to zombies featured.

I just love the way this film plays with previously established conventions of zombie films. By making the brain hungry ghouls virtually unkillable they are turned into a far more intimidating beast than your garden variety Zombie.

One would think that it would be difficult to blend this horror with comedy, but the film pulls it off with a casual ease. The horror doesn't deflate the comedy and vice versa. The cheeky nature of the dialogue contrasts with the horrific imagery to create a unique blend of darkly humor and ever mounting horror.

The sometimes rubbery look of some of the zombies does trigger some of what could be unintentional laughter but it never undermines the scares. At least not to the detriment of the film. What does hurt the film in my opinion is the air of cheapness that can pull me out of the film.

The camerawork can be awkward, with the framing being a little too barren or too cluttered. Some of the editing choices come off as a little odd or erratic. Scenes don't always end up flowing together as I feel they might in a more polished production.

The acting can be a little all over the place. With some actors playing a scene straight faced while others overact. This adds to the sense that of the actors coming off as directionless, just awkwardly standing around not sure of what to do with themselves.

Some of the actors themselves, especially the younger cast, can also be scene as on par with a Slasher movie from the same era. (With one of the actors, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., actually popping up in the fifth Friday the 13th) Which while I don't see that comment as the kiss of death others might.

It does go to show that this movie isn't exactly 'Oscar Calibre', which to be fair the film doesn't really ever pretend to be. It definitely plays into the whole B-Movie vibe with a sense of infectious glee.

This would be a good time to mention the effects. The makeup and gore effects hold up pretty well even if they are not realistic per se. One particularly memorable effects shot springs to mind. There's something visceral and effective about this shot.

I believe in what I'm seeing and it's disturbing. The remains of a paramedics chewed skull, dipping blood and gore. Other effect shots in the film come off as deliberately hokey, like the Tarman.

Its an effect too absurd and goofy looking to be believably scary, but its trying dammit. In all seriousness, I can believe in the effects enough that they never hurt the film for me. Quite an accomplishment given the relatively small budget of the movie and how old it is.

Of course this film has more to offer than effects. The tongue in cheek nature of the script breathes life into the characters and elevates them above your typical slasher fodder. I can't help but to laugh at moments a headless zombie bumbling around aimlessly or when the Tarman gets his block knocked off.

So while this film is rough around the edges, I'm left smiling at a bloody good time.