This movie was pretty good (Maria Ford being nude for over half an hour certainly helped!). It involved the Lovecraft Cthulu mythos, and they did a good job with them. I wish they identified what monster they were actually dealing with, but I guess the name wouldn't have worked then LOL. Peace.
25 Reviews
Entertaining Lovecraft
skallisjr14 May 2005
Warning: Spoilers
How do you make a sequel to a Lovecraft short story that ends without any follow-on? Possible spoilers follow: You take an entirely different Lovecraft short story and make it part of the second film. "Statement of Randolph Carter," an entirely unrelated short story, was made an element in this film. The character of Professor Warren was originally a friend of Carter's who explored the underground tunnels using a telephone set using wires. The basic outcome was the same, though.
The film is full of Lovecraftania and has good touches of humor in it. It falls to the edge of the Cthulhu Mythos, but is part of the Mythos. IMHO, it's a better film than the first, but requires the first really to appreciate it.
The film is full of Lovecraftania and has good touches of humor in it. It falls to the edge of the Cthulhu Mythos, but is part of the Mythos. IMHO, it's a better film than the first, but requires the first really to appreciate it.
Slightly more ambitious follow-up by the same team who brought us the original
Vomitron_G12 September 2011
This sequel to "The Unnamable" (1988) is actually a bit more interesting, as it's much more a mixture of things than the original was (it combines two Lovecraft stories this time, 'The Unnamable' & 'The Statement of Randolph Carter'). It flirts with quantum physics and other silly theories, even adding some comedic scenes to the events (which oddly enough do work). John Rhys-Davies is amusing as always, but lasts only half the movie. The always reliable David Warner has a cameo. Being a creature feature, the creature design (worn by actress Julie Strain) lives up to the expectations. The story picks up right after the events of the first film and meanders in slightly different directions this time. Just like the first film, which was much more a slasher-orientated effort, this sequel's hardly a masterpiece. But it's got some spirited moments, a handful of nasty kills and it remains a fun, entertaining watch nonetheless. The beautiful Maria Ford steals most of the show here, as she's walking around completely nude during half of the movie's running time. Furthermore, "The Unnamable II" stays true to the spirit of Lovecraft with a lot of amusing inside references to his works. So fans should be pleased, since a lot worse Lovecraft adaptations have been made throughout the years.
Failed as a horror, but works as a comedy
sales-41723 October 2005
I wanted to see what was out there for Lovecraft stuff to get in the mood for Halloween and came up with this movie. An absolutely stupid choice of lead actor combined with a really bad script makes the whole thing kind of "Killer Tomatoes" cool.
This kind of thing happens in the story: They go into some underground tunnels beneath a graveyard with no plan, no guns, no secret charm, just Don Knotts and Mr. French going to see if the monster that killed 4 people last night is still there. They find this crazed demon-infested girl and reach near it's hugely-fanged face to pull out a hair to study. Just one dumb idea after another.
My favorite part? Check out the sound it makes when the deputies are shooting the lock at the end.
I didn't see the first movie, but I don't think I needed it to review this.
This kind of thing happens in the story: They go into some underground tunnels beneath a graveyard with no plan, no guns, no secret charm, just Don Knotts and Mr. French going to see if the monster that killed 4 people last night is still there. They find this crazed demon-infested girl and reach near it's hugely-fanged face to pull out a hair to study. Just one dumb idea after another.
My favorite part? Check out the sound it makes when the deputies are shooting the lock at the end.
I didn't see the first movie, but I don't think I needed it to review this.
Slightly better than the original
aaronzombie12 June 2000
Warning: Spoilers
Picking up only moments after then end of part 1, this sequel continues the story of the surviving students of Miskatonic University and the demon that killed off their school mates. !!!SOME SPOILERS!!! The survivors of the 1st film ask a proffessor to help them do an experiment on the demon "The Unnamable."
They seperate the demon half from the human half and leave with the human half. Unfourtunately, the demon half is still around and follows them to their dorm. Good story, acting, and effects. ***1/2 out of *****.
They seperate the demon half from the human half and leave with the human half. Unfourtunately, the demon half is still around and follows them to their dorm. Good story, acting, and effects. ***1/2 out of *****.
Expanded sequel, but too flawed to be effective as a horror film
Leofwine_draca25 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This adequate sequel follows the HALLOWEEN 2 route of being set just minutes after the events of the first one. Whereas THE UNNAMABLE was a typical "let's all go to the haunted house and get killed by the monster one-by-one" entry in the teenage slasher genre, this sequel tries to be more as it expounds on the original story and also adds in plenty of false science and mumbo-jumbo to make things sound good. In fact, this kind of ridiculous would-be science, told in a straight-faced manner, is one of the things I love to hear. Who would have realised that by injecting an evil demon with insulin, it would cause the girl's soul to separate from the monster?
One thing the film does lack is the spooky atmosphere which the first film provided. This is because, after the initial set-up, the characters move from place to brightly-lit place to escape from the creature following them. The pacing isn't all that good either, with sections towards the end where nothing much happens for half an hour or so. The film covers a lot of areas with romance, violence, science fiction, and horror, but by spreading itself to cover all genres it also appears to be toned down. For instance, there's none of the brutal gore which made the first film such an eye opener. Some people get slashed apart and ripped but it's never very gruesome.
Instead, we have a beautiful girl (played by B-movie regular Maria Ford) wandering around naked for much of the film (perverts beware, this is no LIFEFORCE - the girl has long, long hair in this case), plus lots of light comedy stuff to make things supposedly enjoyable. And that's the trouble, because this just isn't as enjoyable as the first. The problem is that the film falls apart after the initial setup (which is in itself good), jumping from one silly scene to another until the head-scratching climax which makes you think they couldn't think of any other way to end the film.
Okay, so the budget is higher and the special effects are notably better, including lots of crackling energy and an improved rubber suit, but the creepy magic of the first film is missing. It's no fault of the actors either, as they all do an okay job. Stephenson is a lot better in his role here, he's not as irritating and he has fun with his weird mannerisms. The character of Howard returns from the first but is played by another actor; however, as he is completely identical to the first Howard you wouldn't realise. Alexandra Durrell is nowhere to be seen in the film, but bizarrely she acted as an associate producer instead. Maria Ford is pretty good as the innocent girl caught up in a world she doesn't recognise or understand, while good old David Warner cameos as the school's chancellor in one scene. Kudos goes to John Rhys-Davies, who puts in a good performance as the nice professor who unfortunately gets killed early on, which is a shame as I'd have liked to have seen more of his character.
If you liked the first film, then you will probably enjoy this one, but there just isn't enough incident to propel it along. Instead it moves on like some second-rate slasher, killing off minor characters every once in a while to make things more interesting. Okay to watch, but not that good really when you think about it.
One thing the film does lack is the spooky atmosphere which the first film provided. This is because, after the initial set-up, the characters move from place to brightly-lit place to escape from the creature following them. The pacing isn't all that good either, with sections towards the end where nothing much happens for half an hour or so. The film covers a lot of areas with romance, violence, science fiction, and horror, but by spreading itself to cover all genres it also appears to be toned down. For instance, there's none of the brutal gore which made the first film such an eye opener. Some people get slashed apart and ripped but it's never very gruesome.
Instead, we have a beautiful girl (played by B-movie regular Maria Ford) wandering around naked for much of the film (perverts beware, this is no LIFEFORCE - the girl has long, long hair in this case), plus lots of light comedy stuff to make things supposedly enjoyable. And that's the trouble, because this just isn't as enjoyable as the first. The problem is that the film falls apart after the initial setup (which is in itself good), jumping from one silly scene to another until the head-scratching climax which makes you think they couldn't think of any other way to end the film.
Okay, so the budget is higher and the special effects are notably better, including lots of crackling energy and an improved rubber suit, but the creepy magic of the first film is missing. It's no fault of the actors either, as they all do an okay job. Stephenson is a lot better in his role here, he's not as irritating and he has fun with his weird mannerisms. The character of Howard returns from the first but is played by another actor; however, as he is completely identical to the first Howard you wouldn't realise. Alexandra Durrell is nowhere to be seen in the film, but bizarrely she acted as an associate producer instead. Maria Ford is pretty good as the innocent girl caught up in a world she doesn't recognise or understand, while good old David Warner cameos as the school's chancellor in one scene. Kudos goes to John Rhys-Davies, who puts in a good performance as the nice professor who unfortunately gets killed early on, which is a shame as I'd have liked to have seen more of his character.
If you liked the first film, then you will probably enjoy this one, but there just isn't enough incident to propel it along. Instead it moves on like some second-rate slasher, killing off minor characters every once in a while to make things more interesting. Okay to watch, but not that good really when you think about it.
Quantum physics, yeah right.
Coventry25 December 2009
See, that's exactly what happens when you're being mild and give favorable reviews to insignificant 80's horror movies like the original "The Unnamable". They make another one! The first one really wasn't too bad, and even occasionally entertaining, but seriously nobody needed a sequel. And this time, writer/director Jean-Paul Ouellette even had a slightly larger budget at his disposal, meaning the script is a lot more ambitious and there even was some money left to pay famous B-movie stars like John Rhys-Davies and the minuscule cameo appearance of David Warner. Even though part two came out five years after the original, we're supposed to not notice that the actors look a lot older and wear their hair in completely different styles. "The Unnamable Returns" carries on where the first film stopped, with Howard and Randolph escaping from the cursed Winthrop house. Notwithstanding the fact they quietly walked away unharmed at the end of the first film, they're now being taken away in ambulances and under massive police supervision. Randolph Carter, the self-proclaimed expert in demonology, returns to the catacombs underneath the house to investigate the origin of the half-woman-half-demonic-creature along with his university professor John Rhys-Davies. When they find it, they do what every rational scientist would do and inject the creature with insulin to separate the woman from the demon. Apparently it works, as the demon assumes something's wrong with the body and exits, leaving only the beautiful host Alyda. Randolph takes the 200-year-old naked beauty back to the dormitory, but the hideous winged demon creature follows their path. The original "The Unnamable" was perhaps a dumb and unmemorable film, at least it was entertaining. Part two is quite boring, pretentious and outstays its welcome with a running time of nearly 105 minutes. The script is full of incomprehensible gibberish about quantum physics and I sincerely doubt that any of the actors understood the lines they were speaking. The gore is minimal but it nevertheless is an unpleasant movie to look at because far too many innocent people die. Innocent bystanders, supportive characters that have done absolutely nothing to deserve to die and people that only wanted to help are being demolished by the creature's claws, whilst the dim-witted main characters get away with everything. That's just not right, not even if you exclusively watch horror films to see gore.
I enjoyed this more than the first one
udar5529 April 2009
This might be the only Lovecraft movie sequel to actually adapt a Lovecraft story ("The Statement of Randolph Carter," which actually preceded "The Unnamable") and is a superior sequel. Well, I think it is superior since I can't remember liking THE UNNAMABLE that much (outside of some nice make-up). Stephenson is an unusual lead, a very intense nerd totally focused on his task at hand. Klausmeyer, who inexplicably sees his character renamed from Howard Damon to Eliot Damon Howard, is good as well. Completely underutilized David Warner slipped in for one day to shoot a scene as the college chancellor and Rhys-Davies might have been there for a couple of days. The film offers lots of gore and, again, the creature design is pretty damn spiffy. The real star, however, is b-movie actress Maria Ford. This might actually be her strongest acting role as the displaced 17th century girl (and I'm not saying that because she spends 50% of her screen time nude). Sadly, I decided to look her up online and she has had some horrific plastic surgery in the ensuing years.
A wasted opportunity
TdSmth528 December 2014
Not sure if I missed this movie back in the 90s or if it wasn't memorable. But here I am in 2014 watching a 90s movie that looks more like an 80s movie.
Something happened in a house. Bodies are being dragged away. A guy named Howard survived and now he has visions of a creature. A guy named Carter was standing nearby so he's a witness. But he investigates into the house and discovers a scary past, involving the Necronomicon. He enlists another professor and of they go into a cave beneath the house. Howard is also with them but he stays outside.
Inside the cave they find a creature, that's a pairing of a woman--the daughter of the former house owner--and a demon. They manage to separate the two. Carter takes the girl with him to the university. The scholar stays behind researching the demon, which ends up killing him. But the girl feels that the demon is going to come after her. And sure enough the demon appears and Carter, the girl, some friends, the cops all have to face the demon.
This movie can be credited with one achievement, a very questionable one though: it stars Maria Ford and Julie Strain in 1992 and yet shows no nudity. Ford is not wearing clothes for a good part of the movie, but a huge wig covers up her body. It would have been even a greater annoyance in the 90s when the two ladies where in their soft-core heyday.
Aside from that major weakness, the movie is of course slow, 15 minutes longer than it needs to be. It feature some good acting and some poor acting. It has good physical gore and prosthetic effects, and some cheesy visual effects. The story is alright but more could have been made of it. And of course a lot more could have been done with such a cast.
Something happened in a house. Bodies are being dragged away. A guy named Howard survived and now he has visions of a creature. A guy named Carter was standing nearby so he's a witness. But he investigates into the house and discovers a scary past, involving the Necronomicon. He enlists another professor and of they go into a cave beneath the house. Howard is also with them but he stays outside.
Inside the cave they find a creature, that's a pairing of a woman--the daughter of the former house owner--and a demon. They manage to separate the two. Carter takes the girl with him to the university. The scholar stays behind researching the demon, which ends up killing him. But the girl feels that the demon is going to come after her. And sure enough the demon appears and Carter, the girl, some friends, the cops all have to face the demon.
This movie can be credited with one achievement, a very questionable one though: it stars Maria Ford and Julie Strain in 1992 and yet shows no nudity. Ford is not wearing clothes for a good part of the movie, but a huge wig covers up her body. It would have been even a greater annoyance in the 90s when the two ladies where in their soft-core heyday.
Aside from that major weakness, the movie is of course slow, 15 minutes longer than it needs to be. It feature some good acting and some poor acting. It has good physical gore and prosthetic effects, and some cheesy visual effects. The story is alright but more could have been made of it. And of course a lot more could have been done with such a cast.
Compelling classic
paul_haakonsen2 February 2010
Classic horror movie of the early 90's. This movie is actually one of the movies that stand out in my memory back from the early 90's when I watched it for the first time on VHS. I just had to purchase it on DVD when I had the chance.
I loved the story and found it to be thrilling and good. It drew from the Lovecraft universe in a good way, and I was nailed to my chair throughout the entire movie (and it still does whenever I put it into the DVD player).
I have watched this movie maybe 5 or 6 times over the years, and never gotten tired of it. Of course, a certain amount of time have to pass before you put this one in the DVD player again.
When I watched this for the first time, I was fairly unfamiliar with John Rhys-Davies, but found his acting here to be believable and good. And this movie also introduced me to Maria Ford, which I must say is a plus for this movie.
The atmosphere of the movie is dark and brooding, which works well throughout the entire feature. Of course the effects are sort of bad in today's standards, but back then they were great. Especially for a fairly low budget movie. I liked the make-up on the creature, and were surprised to find out that it was Julie Strain underneath it.
If you like the work of Lovecraft and have a taste for the movies based on Lovecraft's work, then you should not let this movie pass you by. Even today, this movie is worth watching. Even though Jeffrey Combs is not in this Lovecraft-based movie, it is still providing good entertainment. It has a good, solid story, no real boring moments throughout the length of the movie, and I think it is a must have in any horror fan's DVD collection.
I loved the story and found it to be thrilling and good. It drew from the Lovecraft universe in a good way, and I was nailed to my chair throughout the entire movie (and it still does whenever I put it into the DVD player).
I have watched this movie maybe 5 or 6 times over the years, and never gotten tired of it. Of course, a certain amount of time have to pass before you put this one in the DVD player again.
When I watched this for the first time, I was fairly unfamiliar with John Rhys-Davies, but found his acting here to be believable and good. And this movie also introduced me to Maria Ford, which I must say is a plus for this movie.
The atmosphere of the movie is dark and brooding, which works well throughout the entire feature. Of course the effects are sort of bad in today's standards, but back then they were great. Especially for a fairly low budget movie. I liked the make-up on the creature, and were surprised to find out that it was Julie Strain underneath it.
If you like the work of Lovecraft and have a taste for the movies based on Lovecraft's work, then you should not let this movie pass you by. Even today, this movie is worth watching. Even though Jeffrey Combs is not in this Lovecraft-based movie, it is still providing good entertainment. It has a good, solid story, no real boring moments throughout the length of the movie, and I think it is a must have in any horror fan's DVD collection.
A Lovecraftian Gore Fest!
Clayton073 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The Unnameable 2 is loosely based on Lovecraft's "Unnameable" and the "Statement of Randolph Carter". The film strays from the two stories quite a bit, but it has tons of Cthulhu Mythos elements. Mark Kinsey-Stevenson and John Rhys-Davies really propel this film. I think their acting is top notch.
The blood quotient is very high in this film. And the gore effects are the good old fashioned kind! The film is fast paced unlike other horror movies that can put you out (such as the first Unnameable that had a slow middle). If you enjoy Lovecraft, gore, and good acting, this movie is right up your alley.
The blood quotient is very high in this film. And the gore effects are the good old fashioned kind! The film is fast paced unlike other horror movies that can put you out (such as the first Unnameable that had a slow middle). If you enjoy Lovecraft, gore, and good acting, this movie is right up your alley.
This is how legends are started
lost-in-limbo4 July 2009
The competently low-budget sequel (which was made 5 years after the original) sees the story continue where the first film finished off, and director Jean-Paul Ouellette delivers a far better effort on this Lovecraft outing than on the previous one. However while being rather expansive, slicker and better paced, it was kind of laid-back on the violence (which the first film wasn't afraid to bare) and jolting thrills (which aren't as imposing). Some things happen off-screen, but there a few twisted and ravaging acts caught. The slick tone seemed to be aiming for pulpy fun in a fast-moving chase format than the simmering atmospheric jolts in a confined setting, and for most part it works.
Returning characters Randolph Carter (exaggeratedly acted by Mark Kinsey Stephenson) and Eliot Damon Howard (a solid Charles Klausmeyer) make for a fruitful chemistry, as they must do battle again with the demon with no name. Along for the ride is John Rhys-Davies and Maria Ford who spends plenty of screen time in the nude under her flowing long hair is very convincing in her part. Julie Strain is the lucky one who gets suited up in the creatively effective make-up FX of the titular demon and David Warner also gets in the act, but with very little in the way to do.
This time around the story (with a consistently witty script) holds a little more substance and character to its framework (where modern science and ancient folklore come to terms) and explores the possibilities, than reverting to a simple stalk n' slash exercise. After the leaving the tunnels under the Winthrop house, this time the action mainly occurs in the illustrative backdrop of the University grounds. The openness of it didn't do much in the favor of holding suspense, but the atmosphere is glum and its straight-laced quirkiness lends well.
Returning characters Randolph Carter (exaggeratedly acted by Mark Kinsey Stephenson) and Eliot Damon Howard (a solid Charles Klausmeyer) make for a fruitful chemistry, as they must do battle again with the demon with no name. Along for the ride is John Rhys-Davies and Maria Ford who spends plenty of screen time in the nude under her flowing long hair is very convincing in her part. Julie Strain is the lucky one who gets suited up in the creatively effective make-up FX of the titular demon and David Warner also gets in the act, but with very little in the way to do.
This time around the story (with a consistently witty script) holds a little more substance and character to its framework (where modern science and ancient folklore come to terms) and explores the possibilities, than reverting to a simple stalk n' slash exercise. After the leaving the tunnels under the Winthrop house, this time the action mainly occurs in the illustrative backdrop of the University grounds. The openness of it didn't do much in the favor of holding suspense, but the atmosphere is glum and its straight-laced quirkiness lends well.
The Unnamable II
Scarecrow-882 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Randolph Carter(Mark Kinsey Stephenson)decides to pursue the she-beast which attacked and killed some of his college chums. Eliot(Charles Klausmeyer), haunted by nightmares of the beast's hideous face, survived the incident with nasty gashes on his chest and reluctantly joins Carter in his search for it. Seeking guidance from an authoritative figure he can trust and respect, Carter goes to Professor Warren(John Rhys-Davies, a delightful presence)whose field of expertise in in ancient history, among other things. On an expedition where the beast was seen nearby, Carter, Eliot & Warren find the entrance to an underground tunnel in an ancient graveyard which leads to the "prison" of the she-beast, whose caught in a thicket of heavy sticks and tree-branches. Having found the Necronomicon in Winthrope's home, Carter and Warren discover that the she-beast is actually Winthrope's beautiful daughter, Alyda(Maria Ford)"invaded" by the demonic spirit of an evil winged creature. Warren concocts a successful plan to release Alyda of the evil creature by using insulin tricking the monster into believing that the human host was dying. The spirit fleeing Alyda, she is awakened to a brand new world..but, the demonic winged creature, with sharp fingernails that rip human flesh easily, wishes to retrieve it's host and will kill anyone who stands in her way. After Warren discovers too late that the creature has remained in the tunnel, Carter and Eliot will attempt to find Alyda help(..she was kept in an attic during her young life and only knows the "Cthulu" language taught to her by pops)while staying one step ahead of danger. Unfortunately, students of Miskatonic University and Arkham County's finest will not be so lucky as the demonic winged creature goes on a killing spree ripping the throats of everyone it comes in contact with. The creature seems impervious to the bullets fired from guns as it pursues Alyda with an intense will. What will Carter do to help keep Alyda safe from harm? Can he stop the beast from "infiltrating" the body of Alyda once again?
Inspired by the works of Lovecraft, like a lot of horror films coming out in the late 80's and early 90's, "The Unnamable II" is more of a monster movie. The demonic creature's rampage is not as gory as I would've liked with a great many of the murders occurring off-screen. Too bad. But, substituting those potential thrills is Maria Ford practically naked under long hair(..which amazingly keeps her breasts hidden)for nearly the entire film, only wearing a gown when a female student pal of Carter's influences her into putting it on by disrobing. The love that strengthens between Carter and Alyda is rather sweet and Ford is adorable and convincing as a newborn pup introduced to a new world she's never known. The creature itself is none other than sex siren Julie Strain, unrecognizable under the scary make-up and costume. While there's little actual violence shown, you are treated to the creature's hand going through a man's chest. And, there is some fantastic make-up grue displaying ripped necks. Stephenson as the nerdy intellectual with craziness and chaos all around him, wisely plays his character completely straight, displaying a calm and reserve needed by the leader in charge of keeping Alyda from danger. David Warner is rather wasted in a cameo as Miskatonic University's Chancellor who warns Carter to not pursue the creature. Most of the other characters are fodder for the beast to destroy. Spirited direction from Jean-Paul Ouellette(..this is definitely an improvement over the first film which is more of a slasher flick), a nifty creature with cool wings, and a likable cast really enhance what could've just been yet another Lovecraft "adaptation" that missed the mark. The climax takes place in the Miskatonic library as Carter and Alyda have ran out of places to hide, discovering the missing pages of the Necronomicon within a secret room of books thanks to an air conditioning duct. The use of a wooden chair in battling the demonic creature when attempting to invade Alyda's body is kind of neat. Truth be told, though, my favorite scene would have to be when Alyda discovers a bed and is caressing her naked body throughout it..Ford's sensuality, even while portraying an innocent, is very present.
Inspired by the works of Lovecraft, like a lot of horror films coming out in the late 80's and early 90's, "The Unnamable II" is more of a monster movie. The demonic creature's rampage is not as gory as I would've liked with a great many of the murders occurring off-screen. Too bad. But, substituting those potential thrills is Maria Ford practically naked under long hair(..which amazingly keeps her breasts hidden)for nearly the entire film, only wearing a gown when a female student pal of Carter's influences her into putting it on by disrobing. The love that strengthens between Carter and Alyda is rather sweet and Ford is adorable and convincing as a newborn pup introduced to a new world she's never known. The creature itself is none other than sex siren Julie Strain, unrecognizable under the scary make-up and costume. While there's little actual violence shown, you are treated to the creature's hand going through a man's chest. And, there is some fantastic make-up grue displaying ripped necks. Stephenson as the nerdy intellectual with craziness and chaos all around him, wisely plays his character completely straight, displaying a calm and reserve needed by the leader in charge of keeping Alyda from danger. David Warner is rather wasted in a cameo as Miskatonic University's Chancellor who warns Carter to not pursue the creature. Most of the other characters are fodder for the beast to destroy. Spirited direction from Jean-Paul Ouellette(..this is definitely an improvement over the first film which is more of a slasher flick), a nifty creature with cool wings, and a likable cast really enhance what could've just been yet another Lovecraft "adaptation" that missed the mark. The climax takes place in the Miskatonic library as Carter and Alyda have ran out of places to hide, discovering the missing pages of the Necronomicon within a secret room of books thanks to an air conditioning duct. The use of a wooden chair in battling the demonic creature when attempting to invade Alyda's body is kind of neat. Truth be told, though, my favorite scene would have to be when Alyda discovers a bed and is caressing her naked body throughout it..Ford's sensuality, even while portraying an innocent, is very present.
Not a bad sequel just a error on one part
pradaguy7620018 August 2010
OK i remember watching this movie when i saw this on video back when i was like 17 and i thought it was a good movie and they tried to take off where the last film ends but the only thing that they messed up on was that they said the creature was born from Joshua Winthrop daughter but that is false he was born from Joshua Winthrop wife in the first film, that really was the only error i found in the movie. The movie was a good overall sequel, i wish they could of had a little more blood and guts, let you know what happened to Tanya from the first film. She was just seen driving off in the police car and was really not mention again. Otherwise not a bad movie
Nothing dates a movie like a pair of LA Gear high-tops.
BA_Harrison7 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Most reviewers here on IMDb seem to think that this sequel is an improvement over the original. I, on the other hand, think it's on a par with the first film, delivering the same kind of cheezy early-'90s vibe, and, as before, those staples of the genre, gratuitous nudity and a modicum of gore.
Although filmed four years after The Unnamable (1988), part two picks up almost immediately after the events of the first film, writer/director Jean-Paul Ouellette not bothering to explain why his main characters' hair is suddenly considerably longer. Police have arrived on the scene of the slaughter at the derelict Winthrop house, and Howard Damon (now inexplicably named Eliot Damon Howard) is carted off to hospital. While recovering, Howard (Charles Klausmeyer) is visited by the ghost of Joshua Winthrop (Mike Gordon), who begs for the young man's help in saving his daughter, Alyda, who has spent the past 300 years as host to the demon that killed Howard's university pals.
Meanwhile, Randolph Carter goes to Professor Warren (John Rhys-Davies) with the Necronomicon, convincing him to help track down the demon in the network of tunnels under the Winthrop house. Finding the demon trapped in the roots of a tree, Warren injects it with insulin; thinking that its host is dying, the evil being scarpers, leaving behind the beautiful and naked Alyda (played by the lovely Maria Ford). Carter takes Alyda to Miskatonic University, but is pursued by the hideous demon (played by B-movie babe Julie Strain), who wants to be reunited with Alyda.
As with the first movie, much of the film is padding, the characters running and hiding while the demon stalks the corridors of the university, but it's made watchable by the occasional bit of splatter (best moment: the demon shoves its hand through a professor's body) and the presence of sexy babe Ford, who spends a fair amount of time in the buff (although her long tresses conveniently conceal her breasts). The acting is adequate for this kind of nonsense, with David Warner popping up in a cameo to add some class, but the real star of the film is the creature, a wonderfully designed monstrosity that deservedly gets much more screen-time than before.
The memorable finale sees the demon attempting to enter Alyda's body (and who can blame it?), but winding up trapped in the wooden chair that Howard shoves in its path. Having just declared his love for Alyda, Carter is dismayed as the young woman ages in front of his eyes, but derives a little satisfaction by using the demonic chair as firewood.
Although filmed four years after The Unnamable (1988), part two picks up almost immediately after the events of the first film, writer/director Jean-Paul Ouellette not bothering to explain why his main characters' hair is suddenly considerably longer. Police have arrived on the scene of the slaughter at the derelict Winthrop house, and Howard Damon (now inexplicably named Eliot Damon Howard) is carted off to hospital. While recovering, Howard (Charles Klausmeyer) is visited by the ghost of Joshua Winthrop (Mike Gordon), who begs for the young man's help in saving his daughter, Alyda, who has spent the past 300 years as host to the demon that killed Howard's university pals.
Meanwhile, Randolph Carter goes to Professor Warren (John Rhys-Davies) with the Necronomicon, convincing him to help track down the demon in the network of tunnels under the Winthrop house. Finding the demon trapped in the roots of a tree, Warren injects it with insulin; thinking that its host is dying, the evil being scarpers, leaving behind the beautiful and naked Alyda (played by the lovely Maria Ford). Carter takes Alyda to Miskatonic University, but is pursued by the hideous demon (played by B-movie babe Julie Strain), who wants to be reunited with Alyda.
As with the first movie, much of the film is padding, the characters running and hiding while the demon stalks the corridors of the university, but it's made watchable by the occasional bit of splatter (best moment: the demon shoves its hand through a professor's body) and the presence of sexy babe Ford, who spends a fair amount of time in the buff (although her long tresses conveniently conceal her breasts). The acting is adequate for this kind of nonsense, with David Warner popping up in a cameo to add some class, but the real star of the film is the creature, a wonderfully designed monstrosity that deservedly gets much more screen-time than before.
The memorable finale sees the demon attempting to enter Alyda's body (and who can blame it?), but winding up trapped in the wooden chair that Howard shoves in its path. Having just declared his love for Alyda, Carter is dismayed as the young woman ages in front of his eyes, but derives a little satisfaction by using the demonic chair as firewood.
Was crapping myself for hours after viewing!
skidmarx777 May 2006
This may be one of the greatest (and when I say the greatest,I mean THE GREATEST) horror film I've seen since SHOWGIRLS! The lead actor, Mark Kinsey Stephensen, channels the Mr. Tamborine man-size cajones of William Shatner with the acting range of a toaster oven not plugged in and with no muffins in it. The presence of veteran actors David Warner and John Rhys-Sallah-Gimli-Davies only heightens the cheese factor to Limburger-sized heights. This film contains AT LEAST 12 rewindable moments, including the gratuitous butt-shots of ham-sandwich sporting actress Maria Ford, the attack in a library by the Unameable on a bunch of mullet-coiffed cops, and an Obi-Wan Kenobi moment in which the LA Gear wearing sidekick is visited by the ghost of the Gorton's fisherman. Kudos to the supporting cast as well, from obviously gay George Takei wannabe pal to the hairy-kneed college student who looks like bastard love child of Fabio and Corey Feldman. Stack 'em high and dig in.
Better than the first one!
dopefishie25 December 2018
If the first film was a 4 out of 10, then this one is a 7 out of 10.
Higher quality script, acting, special effects, and sound design.
If you saw the first one, you basically have to see this one.
If you're a fan of 80's style creature films and you haven't seen the first one, skip it and just see this one.
Also, I feel like this was part of the inspiration for the Jeepers Creepers creep.
A pretty solid sequel
mlevans18 April 2003
I accidentally rented Unnamable II tonight, thinking I was renting the original for the first time in a few years. (The original was one of my favorite Gothic horror films.) I was disappointed that I had grabbed the wrong movie, but still enjoyed seeing this one.
With the possible exception of The Godfather II, sequels never match the originals & this one is no exception. Still, Oulette does a good job in leading us through this dash through campus, with the hideous she-demon behind us. The idea of the split demon-normal girl is intriguing and the lovely Maria Ford is convincing as the 300-year-old coed. Mark Kinsey Stephenson is again solid as the scholarly and fearless Randolph Carter. (Doesn't every college English Department have a senior bookworm like this?)
My only complaint-and this is one I might not have even thought of before returning to grad school-is that the professors are all Scooby Dooish `all-knowing' doctors. Professor Warren (John Rhys-Davies) apparently is an oral folklore specialist within the English Department unless he is possibly in sociology or some similar field. For him to have a passing knowledge of quantum physics is not unthinkable. For him to look at a mutilated body and tell claw marks from incisor marks is stretching it considerably. For a literature professor to be running around with a portable microbiology lab in his little black pouch, though, and setting up a microscope, etc., in a dank, dark cave and making glib pronouncements about the blood, however, is akin to no one suspecting `Old Hank' or whoever as being the Scooby Doo villain. Folks, as one who is around professors every day (and who hopes to BE a college history professor in a couple of years,) I can attest that the average English or history professor barely understands how to connect to the Internet or operate PowerPoint, let alone set up a mini-science lab in a dark cave in five minutes!
This one is okay, but I need to see the original again. Part of the reason I wanted to see the original tonight was so I COULD do an updated review. But that will come. People aren't exactly standing in line to do these two movies. Still, this one is definitely worth watching. Give it a chance!
With the possible exception of The Godfather II, sequels never match the originals & this one is no exception. Still, Oulette does a good job in leading us through this dash through campus, with the hideous she-demon behind us. The idea of the split demon-normal girl is intriguing and the lovely Maria Ford is convincing as the 300-year-old coed. Mark Kinsey Stephenson is again solid as the scholarly and fearless Randolph Carter. (Doesn't every college English Department have a senior bookworm like this?)
My only complaint-and this is one I might not have even thought of before returning to grad school-is that the professors are all Scooby Dooish `all-knowing' doctors. Professor Warren (John Rhys-Davies) apparently is an oral folklore specialist within the English Department unless he is possibly in sociology or some similar field. For him to have a passing knowledge of quantum physics is not unthinkable. For him to look at a mutilated body and tell claw marks from incisor marks is stretching it considerably. For a literature professor to be running around with a portable microbiology lab in his little black pouch, though, and setting up a microscope, etc., in a dank, dark cave and making glib pronouncements about the blood, however, is akin to no one suspecting `Old Hank' or whoever as being the Scooby Doo villain. Folks, as one who is around professors every day (and who hopes to BE a college history professor in a couple of years,) I can attest that the average English or history professor barely understands how to connect to the Internet or operate PowerPoint, let alone set up a mini-science lab in a dark cave in five minutes!
This one is okay, but I need to see the original again. Part of the reason I wanted to see the original tonight was so I COULD do an updated review. But that will come. People aren't exactly standing in line to do these two movies. Still, this one is definitely worth watching. Give it a chance!
Solid sequel
Woodyanders18 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Studious bookworm Randolph Carter (a sturdy and credible performance by Mark Kinsey Stephenson) investigates a series of strange murders at Miskatonic University. He discovers that said murders were committed by a savage and hideous half-woman, half-demon monster (Penthouse Pet Julie Strain in a gnarly outfit). The beast seeks to be rejoined with its human half Alyda Winthrop (a sweet and touching portrayal by the ravishing Maria Ford) so it can be complete again.
Writer/director Jean-Paul Oullette keeps the absorbing and entertaining story moving along at a constant pace, ably crafts a creepy atmosphere, treats the premise with admirable seriousness, and delivers several neat moments of graphic gore. The capable acting by the tip-top cast keeps this movie humming: John Rhys-Davies brings a winning blend of energy and conviction to his role as the hearty Professor Warren, Charles Klausmeyer lends amusing support as the wishy-washy Eliot Damon Howard, and Ford projects both a certain endearing fragile naivete and a sizzling feline sensuality as a wide-eyed innocent damsel in distress (the fact that the delectable Mrs. Ford spends a substantial amount of her screen time cavorting about in her birthday suit certainly doesn't hurt matters in the least). Alas, David Warner is wasted in a nothing minor part as the stern Chancellor Thayer. The creature is much more ferocious and frightening than in the previous film. Both David Bergeaud's stirring shuddery score and the glossy cinematography by Greg Gardiner and Roger Olkowski are up to par. A worthy follow-up.
Writer/director Jean-Paul Oullette keeps the absorbing and entertaining story moving along at a constant pace, ably crafts a creepy atmosphere, treats the premise with admirable seriousness, and delivers several neat moments of graphic gore. The capable acting by the tip-top cast keeps this movie humming: John Rhys-Davies brings a winning blend of energy and conviction to his role as the hearty Professor Warren, Charles Klausmeyer lends amusing support as the wishy-washy Eliot Damon Howard, and Ford projects both a certain endearing fragile naivete and a sizzling feline sensuality as a wide-eyed innocent damsel in distress (the fact that the delectable Mrs. Ford spends a substantial amount of her screen time cavorting about in her birthday suit certainly doesn't hurt matters in the least). Alas, David Warner is wasted in a nothing minor part as the stern Chancellor Thayer. The creature is much more ferocious and frightening than in the previous film. Both David Bergeaud's stirring shuddery score and the glossy cinematography by Greg Gardiner and Roger Olkowski are up to par. A worthy follow-up.
really good !
david94927 July 2012
Much better than original. One of the better Lovecraft adaptations. Like "Cast a deadly spell" it decided to go the tongue in cheek route. Stephenson is an almost perfect Lovecraft hero, and Davies and Warner were perfect casting for this movie. Its truly remarkable for a Low budget b-movie. Lovecraft adaptations are always difficult because the monsters are supposed to be from an entirely different Geometry and they drive people insane because they cant cope with the violation of Known laws of nature. Older movies like the "dunwich Horror" tried making their monsters shining lights and stuff and failed. I short i would recommend both movies. while the first is clearly inferior it is sort of a necessary prequel.
"First I'm going to study the Necronomicon, then I'm going back into those tunnels."
Backlash00719 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
~Spoiler~
I don't remember much about the original Unnamable, but I certainly don't remember it being this bad. Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter has some great actors (John Rhys-Davies, Peter Breck, and David Warner), some B-movie scream queens (Maria Ford and Julie Strain), and Mark Kinsey Stephenson who is neither, but unfortunately he is the star. There's also the usual Lovecraft staples such as Miskatonic University, the Necronomicon, Cthulu, and so on. The story picks up where Unnamable I left off and immediately plummets into the absurd. It turns out the Unnamable has a name after all: it's Alyda. Somehow John Rhys-Davies and Mark Kinsey Stephenson separate the real Alyda from the demon. The real Alyda is played by Maria Ford (who spends most of the movie naked) while the demon is played by Julie Strain (who we never see out of the ugly make-up). Maimings and killings result as the demon chases Alyda all over Miskatonic campus. Stuart Gordon this is not. Hell, Brian Yuzna this is not. Unnamable II clocks in at 104 minutes which is just ridiculous considering that so much should have been trimmed. Not could have been, SHOULD have been. There are completely unnecessary characters, David Warner has a three second cameo that goes nowhere, boring exposition galore, and so much more. Watch Re-animator again instead.
I don't remember much about the original Unnamable, but I certainly don't remember it being this bad. Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter has some great actors (John Rhys-Davies, Peter Breck, and David Warner), some B-movie scream queens (Maria Ford and Julie Strain), and Mark Kinsey Stephenson who is neither, but unfortunately he is the star. There's also the usual Lovecraft staples such as Miskatonic University, the Necronomicon, Cthulu, and so on. The story picks up where Unnamable I left off and immediately plummets into the absurd. It turns out the Unnamable has a name after all: it's Alyda. Somehow John Rhys-Davies and Mark Kinsey Stephenson separate the real Alyda from the demon. The real Alyda is played by Maria Ford (who spends most of the movie naked) while the demon is played by Julie Strain (who we never see out of the ugly make-up). Maimings and killings result as the demon chases Alyda all over Miskatonic campus. Stuart Gordon this is not. Hell, Brian Yuzna this is not. Unnamable II clocks in at 104 minutes which is just ridiculous considering that so much should have been trimmed. Not could have been, SHOULD have been. There are completely unnecessary characters, David Warner has a three second cameo that goes nowhere, boring exposition galore, and so much more. Watch Re-animator again instead.
Covid-19,+18months,Oct.14,'21,FB posts scouting for good Halloween Movies. My Candidate here!!!
rjr118815 October 2021
I hope my review title doesn't get chopped. The Unnameable II. Pot's legal so like a fri-13th movie, a good buzz won't hurtcha none. Here at Imdb, I hoped they'ed have a way to view it like other movies here. Damm the bad luck. This would be good on a rainy night, late +, lights out, doors and windows locked. It has been a very long time since I watched this. I had a sort of dbl take with Maria Ford's name,almost associating it with Lita Ford, who I also favor highly. A lot has changed in the film industry since this was made in 92' & there may be a tendency towards criticism- it it's day 29 years ago it was great and I hold that opinion of it now even tho I am gonna have to wait now the time it is going to take to locate and view it somewhere else. If you are looking for a good Halloween movie it is imho, worth your time to look for. I hope to also be enjoying watching it soon.
* * out of 4.
brandonsites198116 September 2002
This sequel picks up directly where part one left off and finds the two main characters from the original film seperating the human half from the demon half of part one's monster. They flee with the human half, but the demon eventually escapes from her prison and seeks out the human part to her and killing anyone in her way. Sometimes exciting, sometime scary, slightly better then part one, but bland.
Rated R; Violence, Brief Nudity, and Profanity.
Rated R; Violence, Brief Nudity, and Profanity.
interesting
drgloves119 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
The only real problem I had with this movie was that the most obvious things were never done.
Spoiler alert now.
Why didn't those crazy kids seal the tomb?
Also, if you had a shotgun, a pistol and your fists and you needed to break into a room with double doors that looked like a pencil could open them if tapped sufficiently hard enough, wouldn't you start with the shotgun?
I could go on, but I think you get the meaning.
The whole thing is rendered moot by the inability to display common sense, but then again. I suppose that comment could apply to the entire history of mankind.
Doh!
Spoiler alert now.
Why didn't those crazy kids seal the tomb?
Also, if you had a shotgun, a pistol and your fists and you needed to break into a room with double doors that looked like a pencil could open them if tapped sufficiently hard enough, wouldn't you start with the shotgun?
I could go on, but I think you get the meaning.
The whole thing is rendered moot by the inability to display common sense, but then again. I suppose that comment could apply to the entire history of mankind.
Doh!
Much more enjoyable than the first but more plot flaws
nebbin14 July 2000
Warning: Spoilers
This film was much more original than the first movie, which was just a typical "teens get killed in an old house" movie. This one took a new approach, with a bit more humor, a fresher plot, and a more entertaining atmosphere. I enjoyed this a lot more than the original, but unfortunately, this film had a few problems. If you have not seen the movie yet and want to be surprised, DON'T CONTINUE READING, there are SPOILERS ahead. SO, still with me I see? Okay. The idea is that the creature has been trapped by tree roots to the wall of an underground "cave" or something and Randolph, now being helped by the dude who played the Professor in "Sliders," apparently tried to figure out what the most stupid approach to the problem would be. they finally decided that they should use a spell from the spellbook Randolph found(the Necronomicon), in fact, a spell which will seperate spirit from flesh. It wasn't until after the spell was cast that one of the characters said aloud, "Is this a very good idea?" I laughed at that one. I don't have a problem with this bit of nonsense though; many people would be just that dumb. The main problem I had was: the creature is now seperated, one half is a beautiful girl and the other half is a monster, which is now MANY TIMES MORE POWERFUL than when it was in the body of the girl. Yet, the creature was chasing them around the whole time trying to get back into the girl. WHY?! It had MORE STRENGTH, FLIGHT, etc. Now, what would have made sense was if they said the demon had to be in a human body by sunrise or it would be banished back to its dimension. This would have made a "beat the clock" scenario and also explained why it actually wanted to rejoin the girl and become weaker! The only other problem I had was the ending. It just seemed very phony and cheap. On the other hand, if they had done the "beat the clock" version, then the monster could have been beaten by eluding it until sunrise, thereby eliminating the really dumb ending they used. Still, I enjoyed the film and give it *** out of *****.
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