Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Return of the Living Dead Part II Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 11, 2018

Perhaps writer/director Ken Wiederhorn just wasn’t in the mood to manufacture an intense sequel to 1985’s “Return of the Living Dead,” possibly fearful that he couldn’t recreate the limited magic helmer Dan O’Bannon brought to the original picture. The first film wasn’t a sobering look at the birth of a zombie apocalypse, but a grungy, gory genre romp that dived into complete goofiness from time to time. 1988’s “Return of the Living Dead: Part II” does away with any seriousness, becoming a slapstick comedy that just so happens to detail the premier horror experience of running away from the undead. Wiederhorn goes wild with “Part II,” invested in making a gut-buster, not a fright machine, offering a rather severe tonal change that demands viewers relax a lot of expectations, especially for anything even remotely scary.

In suburbia, U.S.A., an Army truck has lost track of barrels containing Trioxin, a deadly reanimating chemical. Local kids have discovered the mistake, unleashing the gas near a cemetery, with young Jesse (Michael Kenworthy) trying to contact military officials and report the looming disaster. However, the boy is too late, with Trioxin spreading across the town, inspiring the dead to return to life, on a desperate hunt for brains to consume. Survivors Jesse, Joey (Thom Mathews), Ed (James Karen), Lucy (Marsha Dietlein), Tom (Dana Ashbrook), and Brenda (Suzanne Snyder) begin a mad quest to escape the uprising, struggling to fight off the zombie horde as they encounter a growing number of monsters and deal with their own incompetence as the military eventually swoops in, only to be immediately overwhelmed by the fight.

O’Bannon coated “Return” in slime and grime, using punk rock to score an abrasive and decidedly R-rated effort that aimed to shock with graphic violence and dark humor. “Part II” plays softer, with less interest in upsetting viewers, taking the war between the living and dead to suburbia, entering Spielberg’s domain as kids are put in charge of major plot discoveries and heroism, with Weiderhorn almost muting intensity to a PG-13 level of engagement. Hosing the material down with cutesiness isn’t a horrible idea, but to pull off such tonality requires a precise approach that balances a case of the creeps with more outrageous acts of stupidity. Instead of juggling moods, the helmer gives up and makes a comedy with “Part II,” always aiming for the funny bone, even with the nastier sections of the story, keeping matters as light as possible while still retaining a restricted rating.

There are some things to enjoy in “Part II,” which wisely brings back Karen and Mathews, even though their characters died in the original feature. The duo handles the picture’s spirit the best, supported well by young Kenworthy, who’s a fun protagonist, and Ashbrook, who slips into hero mode without much fuss. Some makeup effects are impressive, with the production assembling a large nation of zombies to follow, and while most of these creations are used for joke purposes (including a random Michael Jackson monster literally pushed into the frame during the finale), a few maintain their ghoulish intent, finding the showstopper effect being a zombie torn in half, keeping on his mission to munch despite being separated from his legs. Not every trick is convincing (or even covered from the camera’s view), but “Part II” at least provides evidence that some individuals involved in the making of the effort wanted it to be unsettling, trying to match the gore zones of O’Bannon’s wily creation.

Return of the Living Dead Part II Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as a "New 2K scan from the interpositive," the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Part II" does exactly what it can with the low-budget endeavor. The picture is softly shot to begin with (with some focus issues), but detail remains appreciable throughout, obviously best when surveying all types of zombies, with some makeup achievements perhaps too clearly defined, making it easy to spot production limitations. Costumes remain passably fibrous qualities, and locations keep some depth and definition. Colors are stable, with a pleasingly warm look to the feature that helps to digest its bizarre approach to horror. Skintones are satisfactory, mixing pinker human faces with the greenish ways of the undead. Clothing keeps period snap, and greenery is also strong throughout. Delineation is comfortable, doing well with a movie that mostly takes place at night. Grain is thicker but filmic. Source is in proper shape, with a few instances of debris and faint wear and tear.

Return of the Living Dead Part II Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a heavier listening experience, fighting some mild hiss, with scoring cues tending to take the lead during most scenes. Thin synth is handled adequately, while soundtrack selections contribute a deeper rhythm to the action, emerging clearly but not always crisply. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable (some sync hiccups seem inherent), with nuanced panic attacks and zombie groans, and comedy elements retain what passes for enthusiasm here. Sound effects are defined to satisfaction, along with decent atmospherics.

Return of the Living Dead Part II Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Alternate Audio Track provides the DVD mix of the movie.

• Commentary #1 features actress Suzanne Synder.

• Commentary #2 features actor Gary Smart and filmmaker Christopher Griffiths.

• Commentary #3 features writer/director Ken Wiederhorn and actor Thor Van Lingen.

• "Back to the Dead" (25:01, HD) sits down with makeup masters Kenny Meyers, Andy Shoneberg, and Mike Smithson to discuss the practical effects and zombie creations of "Part II." Meyers, the most affable of the bunch, takes the lead, discussing his career path before finding his calling with help from pal Chris Walas. Meyers was a late addition to the "Return of the Living Dead" team, bumped up to commander of the sequel, and his describes his hesitation with the project, with his team creating nightmarish creations for a slapstick follow-up. An overview of zombie creations for only six main actors is fascinating, requiring lots of hard work during a punishing night shoot, and there's an extensive explanation of the Michael Jackson Zombie addition. The gang is brutally honest about the final product, showing discomfort with Ken Wiederhorn's tonal decisions.

• "The Laughing Dead" (19:22, HD) is an extended chat with Wiederhorn, who tracks his career origins, making his way to "Part II" with a plan to make the sequel a brighter, sillier creation as a way to separate it from Dan O'Bannon's original feature. Committed to making a comedy, Wiederhorn describes the painful shoot, with long nights and a few disasters preventing an easy schedule. Casting accomplishments are shared, and the helmer explores his relationship with cinematographer Robert Elswit. Weiderhorn sobers up some when talking about an original score that was commissioned without his approval, and he's not a fan of the film's marketing effort, which had no idea how to sell "Part II." Intriguingly, Wiederhorn admits he participates in these types of interviews to keep sales of the movie going, making a living off residuals.

• "Undead Melodies" (12:48, HD) is an interview with composer J. Peter Robinson.

• Interview (2:10, HD) with Troy Fromin is a brief chat with the excitable actor, who shares his tale of being upgraded from a zombie on "Part II" to the pot-smoking Army driver featured during the main titles.

• "They Won't Stay Dead" (29:45, HD) is a 2011 featurette on "Part II," which collects an impressive amount of cast and crew to recall their experiences making the sequel. Candor is key here, with almost everyone sharing hesitation with Wiederhorn's screenplay, baffled by the man's insistence that the follow-up should be a comedy filled with gags, not scares. While some celebrations are included, finding zombie makeup a particular favorite, the gang is mostly down on "Part II," openly criticizing Wiederhorn's approach and his dismissive way with the genre and the cast. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Wiederhorn doesn't appear here.

• "Live from the Set" (5:35, SD) is a 1988 California news clip where a camera crew is sent to the "Part II" location to find zombies, only to interact with EPK clips along the way.

• Vintage Interviews (2:36, SD) are the previously mentioned EPK clips presented without shtick.

• Behind the Scenes (4:41, SD) showcase more EPK work, including some interesting B-roll footage.

• Still Galleries include "Special Effects Makeup" (5:59) and "Posters and Lobby Cards" (1:46).

• T.V. Spots (2:10, SD) offer four marketing approaches for "Part II."

• And a Teaser Trailer (1:44, SD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:41, SD) are included.

Return of the Living Dead Part II Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Return of the Living Dead: Part II" isn't a strong sequel, and it takes a lot of work to unearth its highlights, but there are a few worth enjoying, especially when Weiderhorn decides to get out of the film's way and allow some time to examine evil forces stumbling around, waiting to devour fresh brains. Overall, the sequel doesn't connect with the same force or imagination as the 1985 picture, making it a disappointment, and one where the viewer is constantly put on edge, fearful that Weiderhorn is seconds away from arranging a pie fight in any given scene.