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I’m a great fan of the works of HP Lovecraft, especially the novella Re Animator. I try to watch as many of the adaptations of his works on film as I can get a hold of. Almost all of them (from recent times)the stories translate well onto film.
Re-Animator is very cool I have to say. As far as the time goes it does translate quite well onto the screen. It follows the trials and tribulations of one Herbert West, who is trying to unlock the building blocks of life itself with the hope of returning life to the dead.
Herbert West is creepy, sullen and introverted character played quite convincingly by Jeffrey Combs who studies at the Miskatonic University (HP Lovecraft fans will recognize the name). West develops a serum that once injected can bring the dead back to life. Said serum is then tested on a cat and succeeds in bringing the cat back to agonising life. His first success becomes an obsession as West and his Housemate Dan report the findings to the University. The pair are subsequently removed from the university program. West then takes the bold step from animal to human and tests it on the corpse of the school dean. The pair succeed in bringing the corpse back to a zombie-like state of life. This of course unleashes a whole lot more trouble than he bargained for.
The VERDICT
The film is slated as a horror comedy. I don’t see much humour in it, maybe a little black humour. There are some pretty gruesome gore scenes that will keep the gore fiends happy. Some parts do come off a little dated, but overall it is a superbly done horror flick in that glorious 80’s style of horror. Re-Animator is a genuinely captivating and a great watch. Overall it stays true to the dark styles of HP Lovecraft. Definitely an all time fave of mine!
Some other Great Lovecraft inspired films:
The void
Bleeders / Heamoglobin
Into the Mouth of Madness
Witches / Dunwich Horror
The Call of Cthulu
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