Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Ken Wiederhorn

Writer:

Ken Wiederhorn (writer)

Release Date:

15 January 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Just when you thought it was safe to be dead.

Plot:

Curious kids unearth the barrels that helped revive the dead of the first film, which proves the second time's an undead charm.

Plot Keywords:

Living Dead | Sequel | Army | Impalement | Obscene Finger Gesture

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Michael Kenworthy	...	Jesse Wilson
Thor Van Lingen	...	Billy Crowley
Jason Hogan	...	Johnny
James Karen	...	Ed
Thom Mathews	...	Joey
Suzanne Snyder	...	Brenda
Marsha Dietlein	...	Lucy Wilson
Suzan Stadner	...	Aerobics Instructor
Jonathan Terry	...	Col. Glover
Dana Ashbrook	...	Tom Essex
Sally Smythe	...	Mildred Crowley (Billy's Mom)
Allan Trautman	...	Tarman
Don Maxwell	...	George Crowley (Billy's Dad)
Reynold Cindrich	...	Soldier
Philip Bruns	...	Doc Mandel

Also Known As:

Revenge of the Living Dead (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Denmark:16 | Italy:T (VHS rating) | Italy:VM14 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:16 | Australia:M | France:U | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 (heavily cut) | Mexico:C | UK:15 (video rating) | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 | Finland:K-15 (2005)

Filming Locations:

Newhall, California, USA

Company:

Greenfox

Trivia:

Near the very end of the electrocution scene, a Michael Jackson impersonator zombie can be seen - a direct reference to his Thriller (1983) (TV) music video.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Director Ken Wiederhorn's head can be seen when Billy jumps up on to the hood of the truck Jesse has crashed.

Quotes:

Billy: You told, you told, now you die like me.

Movie Connections:

References Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Soundtrack:

Big Band B-Boy

Zombie massacre!

I still remember how I got into this movie. The VHS cover was very cheesy but at the same time it was intriguing. I remember avoiding this one until it was the last VHS on my local video store Horror shelf. When I rented it in the early 90's, I wasn't a bit disappointed but I forgot about it pretty soon.

Years after, I watched it on DVD and the memories are still fresh! This movie isn't better than the original but still has it's own good moments. Thom Matthews reprises his lead role and delivers a great performance. The direction is pretty good for the movie's standards and I must admit that this is a visually stunning low budgeter.

The ending is among the best of any zombie flicks for it's unique cheesiness and non-stop action.

Watch this sequel only for fun purposes, do not watch it as a straight Horror movie because it might disappoint you.