Just like Necropolis and Rave to the Grave, Return of the Living Dead Part II would have been a decent film if it wasn't a sequel to the original. There was a balance between existential horror and comedy in the original that is clearly lacking in its descendants. I wish Russo had been involved, but he's no longer in his prime (Children of the Living Dead was cringe-worthy bad).
Return of the Living Dead itself is a sequel to Night of the Living Dead. We zombie-flick aficionados remember that Romero and Russo took their ideas in different directions. Unfortunately, Part II is almost like watching a goofier re-imagining of Russo's Return of the Living Dead, even though it is meant to be a sequel. Return of the Living Dead Part II is a family-friendly version that would have succeeded on its own merits, but fails to achieve the balancing act that its predecessor made look easy. Classic eighties.
Return of the Living Dead itself is a sequel to Night of the Living Dead. We zombie-flick aficionados remember that Romero and Russo took their ideas in different directions. Unfortunately, Part II is almost like watching a goofier re-imagining of Russo's Return of the Living Dead, even though it is meant to be a sequel. Return of the Living Dead Part II is a family-friendly version that would have succeeded on its own merits, but fails to achieve the balancing act that its predecessor made look easy. Classic eighties.