Bride of Re-Animator continues the story of the 1985 classic, The Re-Animator, five years later. It is loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story, but is definitely a different beast from the original. While The Re-Animator was welcomed upon release, even at film festivals, Bride of Re-Animator has producer Brian Ruzna move into the director role and eventually released direct-to-video. Much like Bride of Frankenstein, this is, at its heart, a romance. Smartly, the film focuses on two concurrent love stories, all while referencing back to the original film, and pushing the gore factor and insanity even further than once thought possible. Films like these can be easy to write off as a DTV oddity, but this new release just might change some minds and help us look closely at movie making.
Packaging
Ignite Films has absolutely outdone themselves with this new deluxe edition of Bride of Re-Animator. There are four different versions, and all of them are quite impressive.
The standard edition has a sleek look and has some beautiful, garish cover art which represents so much of the film all at once.
The deluxe edition (the version this writer was given for review) has everything the standard edition comes with but also includes glossy postcards and a stunning book that includes several critical essays and an oral history.
And finally, the ultimate limited edition box set also includes a finger creature collectible that also doubles as a cell phone holder.
Video
This is where this edition truly shines. For those of us who remember the last edition, this 4K remaster, approved by the director, has a definite wow factor. The film was scanned and restored in 2160p Ultra HD with Dolby Vision HDR from the original camera negative. The clarity, in comparison, is off-the-charts. For once, the backgrounds are clear, the blood splatter is bright red, and every creature and special effect is as it always should have been. The film may have been difficult to make but the visuals here make it all worth it.
Audio
While not quite as impressive as the video, the sound is also a great improvement. The audio features 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM 2.0 (stereo/mono) tracks, both in English. As it is a gross, gory horror flick, the sound is just as important. The screams, squelches, and sound effects all echo in a pleasantly disgusting way on this transfer. Frankly, this is the best and only way to see Bride of Re-Animator.
Special Features
Ignite Films went all out on the special features for Bride of Re-Animator
Bride of Re-Animator continues the story of the 1985 classic, The Re-Animator, five years later. It is loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story, but is definitely a different beast from the original. While The Re-Animator was welcomed upon release, even at film festivals, Bride of Re-Animator has producer Brian Ruzna move into the director role and eventually released direct-to-video. Much like Bride of Frankenstein, this is, at its heart, a romance. Smartly, the film focuses on two concurrent love stories, all while referencing back to the original film, and pushing the gore factor and insanity even further than once thought possible. Films like these can be easy to write off as a DTV oddity, but this new release just might change some minds and help us look closely at movie making.
Brand New Bonus Feature – Till Death Do Us Part: The Making of Bride of Re-Animator
A full hour behind-the-scenes documentary about the difficult process of making this film, featuring interviews with Director Brian Yuzna, Bruce Abbott, Fabiana Udenio, Jeffrey Combs, and Kathleen Kinmont. This is a brand new feature for this release.
Extended Interviews
Most of the New Bonus Feature is taken from extended discussions with Director Brian Yuzna, Bruce Abbott, Fabiana Udenio, Jeffrey Combs, and Kathleen Kinmont and all of these are featured here for the superfans who want every bit! This is a brand new feature for this release
Four Audio Commentaries
with Director Brian Yuzna, stars Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott, special effects coordinator Thomas Rainone, and the effects team including John Buechler, Mike Deak, Robert Kurtzman, Howard Berger, and Screaming Mad George. This is where Ignite shines in their options. In most film releases, we are lucky to get one commentary, and here we have four! For this movie in particular, this is enlightening. Given the difficulties faced and arguments had, there are many different perspectives and these commentaries show it all.
Numerous legacy features
Brian Yuzna Remembers Bride of Re-Animator — the Director looks back at the making of the Re-Animator sequel
Splatter Masters: The Special Effects Artists of Bride of Re-Animator — FX featurette with a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Robert Kurtzman of KNB, Screaming Mad George, Tony Doublin, and John Buechler.
Getting Ahead of Horror — archive making-of featurette
Meg is Re-Animated — deleted scene with behind-the-scenes footage
Carnival Sequence — the cast and crew discuss this excised sequence
Hardcover Book
This should be a collectible all on its own, with a beautiful presentation and sheen. It includes the aforementioned oral history, photos, and essays from Genevieve Radosti, Esther Rosenfield, Willow Maclay, Tori Potenza, and Alice Maio Mackay.
Collector Art Cards
For the big time fans, this edition also includes 5 cards with important scenes from the film.
General Thoughts
This is exactly the kind of movie that, for years, would never have received an edition like this. And that’s a shame! Just because a film doesn’t have auteur cache, does not mean that it doesn’t have a story worth telling. In fact, a movie like this will have more interesting behind the scenes stories and even has some detail that a more highly thought of film would be afraid to share. With Bride of Re-Animator, we absolutely get it all! Whether you are a fan of horror in general, direct to video nasties, or just love watching special effects masters at work, Bride of Re-Animator is absolutely worth the watch. There is definitely a beautiful joy watching the creators look back and understand that while the film they made was not perfect, it is still worthy of a version that fans will appreciate.
Collection Fit
Who is this for? Well, to put it simple, this one is for the freaks (complimentary)! No, this may not fit in some austere, stuffy collector’s shelf. But if you are interested in the craft of film from those who have been disrespected or maligned, then this will fit right in! Plus, aesthetically (while it can be gross if you get the creature collectible), Ignite Films has produced a stunning, sleek set that will look great on any shelf.
Grade – A-
Note: Images presented in this review are not necessarily reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Grades are indicative of the physical media release and not the film itself.
Disclaimer: Ignite Films have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
