Review of Return of the Living Dead, The (Reissue)

Introduction

This is one of those movies you either love or loath. Many people who are fans of Romero and Luci Zombie flicks baulk at this picture due to its tongue in cheek style. It`s true the tongue is firmly in place but I am one of those who believe a smattering of humour in a horror movie adds a more believable element an puts us in a possible real world situation.

Watching this for the first time in probably ten years, I have a video copy that got chewed along time ago and never thre it out, it still holds up against some of the more recent zombie flicks like Resident Evil. O.K. this is a GGI free zone but contains some pretty amazing effects, from the dripping "Tar Man" zombie to the squirming orange haired anamatronic autopsy table female zombie.

This is a movie that contains something for everyone, with laughs, scares and even some full frontal nudity its a film that in my eyes is underrated and a clear genre breaker of its time.

Video

The picture, presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, is the best transfer I`ve seen of this film. It is grainy and has a few dirt flecks now and again but this adds to the feel of the movie a pristine, sharp over saturated look would not help this movie. Colours are washed out but blacks are pretty damn solid and whites are bright without halos or smears.

The bone of contention here is the 1.85:1 format picture. Many believe this movie was never shot in this ratio widescreen and this version is just a matted version. I`ve not found anything on the net to back this up but on some occasions there are some tops of heads chopped off, so this may be true.

Audio

All tracks are in their original release mono. But the Dolby Digital transfer adds a bit more umph to a lackluster track. This is great for the opening intro music and other musical tracks by the Dammed and the Cramps to name a few. Obviously there`s no sign of surround use which is a shame. A few zombie moans from behind the sofa would be just fabulous. Surely a remix is not out of the question.

Features

Only the trailer! i`ve got just one word Commentary!

Conclusion

A top zombie flick with humour and thrills. Good picture, Shame about the sound, but I do believe the Region 1 version will contain a comentary and 5.1 audio.