Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Ken Wiederhorn

Writer:

Ken Wiederhorn (writer)

Release Date:

15 January 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Just when you thought it was safe to be dead.

Plot:

Curious kids unearth the barrels that helped revive the dead of the first film, which proves the second time's an undead charm.

Plot Keywords:

Gore | Army | Sequel | Cemetery | Zombie

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Michael Kenworthy	...	Jesse Wilson
Thor Van Lingen	...	Billy Crowley
Jason Hogan	...	Johnny
James Karen	...	Ed
Thom Mathews	...	Joey
Suzanne Snyder	...	Brenda
Marsha Dietlein	...	Lucy Wilson
Suzan Stadner	...	Aerobics Instructor
Jonathan Terry	...	Col. Glover
Dana Ashbrook	...	Tom Essex
Sally Smythe	...	Mildred Crowley (Billy's Mom)
Allan Trautman	...	Tarman
Don Maxwell	...	George Crowley (Billy's Dad)
Reynold Cindrich	...	Soldier
Philip Bruns	...	Doc Mandel

Also Known As:

Revenge of the Living Dead (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Denmark:16 | Australia:M | France:U | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 (heavily cut) | Mexico:C | UK:15 (video rating) | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 | Finland:K-15 (2005)

Filming Locations:

Newhall, California, USA

Company:

Greenfox

Trivia:

Thor Van Lingen (who plays trouble maker Billy) originally auditioned for the main role of Jesse.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Director Ken Wiederhorn's head can be seen when Billy jumps up on to the hood of the truck Jesse has crashed.

Quotes:

Zombie: BRRRAAAAAINNNNSSSS!

Movie Connections:

References Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Soundtrack:

Flesh To Flesh

Decent, Funny Sequel

Second installment of the Return films, isn't quite as much fun as the original, but nonetheless should please fans of the first film & all around zombie gore hounds. The plot kicks off with three boys setting off a cannister of gas, that has a slimy corpse packed inside like a tuna fish (He's the returning Tar man from the original film with his head mysteriously attached back onto his shoulders, Did somebody actually take the time to sew this poor guys head back on?). Which, once out in the open, spreads over the local cemetery. Awakening a throng of rotted corpses, which go about a small town munching on human brains! While a small group of people set out to destroy them before they too join the stiffs! Sequel lacks the Sci-Fi edge, as well as action & soundtrack of the original & there's more gross out gags & jokes then actual horror. But once the film gets going it's a fun, gruesome ride! What a shame that the Writer/Director of this film hated it & any film that has the team of THOM MATTHEWS & JAMES KAREN (Returning from the original film, but playing different roles) can't be all that bad. These guys (along with the Doctor) are hilarious! Excellent Zombie make-up too! followed by a sequel: THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD III

*** (stars)