Re-Animator (1985)

Studio: Starz/Anchor Bay

DVD Release Date: March 20, 2007

Directed By: Stuart Gordon

Cast: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale

Review By: Annie Riordan

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Re-Animator?” Glowing green hypos? Nerdy med students? Severed heads with acute oral fixations? All of the above? You  may never have seen this film – may not even be a horror fan – but I’m willing to bet that you’ve heard of Re-Animator, the instant cult classic that splattered across the big screen in 1985.

Based on the 1922 short story “Herbert West – Re-Animator” by H.P. Lovecraft, the twenty plus pages describe the exploits of two med students – young Herbert and an unnamed accomplice/narrator – who foolishly tamper in God’s domain, reanimating fresh cadavers with Herbie’s miraculous life-restoring serum, with disastrous results. Storywise, the film doesn’t deviate much from the basic plot of Howard’s tale, but updates it to the 80s and throws in a shitload of sex and gore that would probably have Howie rolling in his grave.

Jeffrey Combs became an instant cult icon with his flawless portrayal of the arrogantly brilliant and nerdily asexual Herbert who, much like Dr. Pretorius in Bride Of Frankenstein, seduces the innocent Dan Cain away from his studies, and his beloved girlfriend Megan, to participate in his forbidden experiments. Memorable moments include a batshit cat puppet, the beheading of Herbie’s hated rival and – duh – the unforgettable “head giving head” scene…and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, where the hell have you been for the past 23 years?

Oh sure, it’s aged a bit over the past two decades: some of the effects are seriously dated and look phony as hell, but it only adds to the film’s geeky charm. Throw in some classic one-liners and a cast that looked as though they were genuinely having fun (that last is very much verified by the audio commentary, which reunites stars Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs and Robert Sampson, as well as writer Brian Yuzna) and you have a bona fide instant classic, one that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so for years to come. It’s every bit as enjoyable today as it was in 85.

Brutal As Hell Rating:

4 1/2 out of 5