Bride of Re-Animator [Blu-ray Review]

Dr. Herbert West is back, and this time he is looking for a bride. It’s been several months since the “Miskatonic Massacre”, and while it may have been a set back, West is still determined to continue his work. This time however, he begins by working as a medic alongside Dr. Dan Cain during the Peruvian civil war, and as such, they have plenty to work with as they once again experiment with their re-animation formula “Reagent“.

But, it’s not long until they return home to Arkham, Massachusetts, where they continue working as doctors at the  Miskatonic University. From here, Dr. West ventures into re-animating body parts and creating some truly unique creations, such as several severed fingers attached to an eye-ball, and soon that sucker is on the loose, much like Ash’s hand in the Evil Dead films.

Meanwhile, Lt. Leslie Chapham begins poking his around and starts investigating Dr. West and Dr. Cain’s work, where he stumbles upon their latest creation; a slew of body parts all strung together. It isn’t long until things get out of hand as Chapman bites of more than he can chew and soon becomes another re-animated corpse, while his resurrected wife gives chase, you’ll understand when you watch it.

During the film, we’re also treated to the return of Dr. Hill, and he is once again played by David Gale, and he is, as always an absolute hoot. Soon he begins using his hypnotic powers to confront Dr. West, and then all hell breaks loose. Before then, Dr. West and Dr.Cain’s most epic creation ever, the “Bride“, is finally re-animated, but things don’t exactly go according to plan as the “Bride” favors Cain as opposed to her true creator Dr. West.

The film delivers with the comedy, it’s outrageous and you wouldn’t expect anything less from a Re-Animator film. Where the film really shines is its practical effects work, it is absolutely stellar, and to think that it has been well over twenty years, and yet the practical effects stand the test of time. It really is testament to Robert Kurtzman and his entire team, especially the work on the “Bride” and the many of Dr. West’s rejected creations.

I love this film, it’s utterly crazy, filled with grotesque creatures and Jeffrey Combs, need I say more?

Now, Arrow Video’s Blu-ray release of Brian Yuzna’s Bride of Re-Animator is fantastic. They truly have pulled out all the stops, firstly the transfer is excellent, to me the original looked great, but this is just more sharp and clear, considering this is one of the first Blu-rays I have seen (finally upgraded), they really have done excellent work here.

The collection features both the R-rated and unrated editions of the film, as well as a fantastic, and in-depth audio commentary with the likes of Brian Yuzna and Jeffrey Combs, as well as many of the special effects team including Robert Kurtzman.

They’ve also included deleted scenes, some fascinating new featurette’s which take a look behind-the-scenes and at the special effects team and much more. It’s freakin’ stacked! This is why I love Arrow, they truly deliver on the goods.

Also in the package there is a collector’s booklet which has been written by festival programmer Michael Blyth, as he takes a look at the film, as well as the 1992 prequel comic Re-Animator: Dawn of the Re-Animator. And then, there is the beautiful over artwork by Gary Pullin.

This really is a fantastic release, carefully put together with time and love, and for £17.99, it’s an absolute freakin’ steal! The package is set for a release this Monday, April 11th, and you can pre-order your copy HERE. For you guys in the States, don’t fret, you can get yours a day later on April 12th.

Before I go, make a note of it; “It’s tissue rejection!”