I have to say that I love the original RE-ANIMATOR, which I think is a sterling adaptation of the Lovecraft story and a minor classic of '80s horror cinema complete with all the gore and gooey effects that you could wish for. For some reason, I never got around to watching BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, although I have seen the cheap and cheesy third film, BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR, which I didn't like.
I've now watched BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR and, sorry to say, it misses the mark in a big way. It seems that director Stuart Gordon brought the magic to the original movie because he's he's gone now and this sequel isn't up to scratch. Instead we get Brian Yuzna and special effects man Screaming Mad George, and together they produce what is simply a weak imitation of the first film.
Actually, the problem isn't so much with Yuzna, whose direction is fine, but the story, which simply retreads familiar material from the first movie. Bruce Abbott as Dan Cain has become a tiresome voice of reason and Herbert West just goes through the same motions as before. Plus, the film has a slow, dragged-out pace, and despite the quality of the gooey special effects, it doesn't feel innovative anymore, just predictable. I appreciate that the plot is a homage to THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, but even that goes nowhere come the rushed climax.
I've now watched BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR and, sorry to say, it misses the mark in a big way. It seems that director Stuart Gordon brought the magic to the original movie because he's he's gone now and this sequel isn't up to scratch. Instead we get Brian Yuzna and special effects man Screaming Mad George, and together they produce what is simply a weak imitation of the first film.
Actually, the problem isn't so much with Yuzna, whose direction is fine, but the story, which simply retreads familiar material from the first movie. Bruce Abbott as Dan Cain has become a tiresome voice of reason and Herbert West just goes through the same motions as before. Plus, the film has a slow, dragged-out pace, and despite the quality of the gooey special effects, it doesn't feel innovative anymore, just predictable. I appreciate that the plot is a homage to THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, but even that goes nowhere come the rushed climax.