Mandao Returns (2020) Poster

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7/10
Slightly disappointing but still highly enjoyable follow-up
kannibalcorpsegrinder16 February 2021
After contacting a recently-deceased starlet, the astral-traveler and his friends are soon confronted with the desire to save her from her untimely fate but the more they begin using their skills to help the more they realize they've now started in on a rather dangerous quest.

This was a slightly disappointing follow-up. One of the only factors here is the general lack of comedy in the setup, instead managing to try jokes and comedic situations that really aren't. The idea of the duo possessing each other to pull off a robbery or the hilarity of their plan to present a sacrifice that goes haywire are good enough but the rest of this one isn't that funny. The characters are far more aggravating and annoying than actually funny, resulting in scenes that just go on for quite a while without generating the necessary laughs since it demonstrates the one character as far too stupid to be doing anything like what he's behaving like which wasn't the cast for the original. Another somewhat odd issue is the strange ploy of introducing the main storyline halfway through the film causing it to be quite rushed and missing some minor details, which are all that hold this one back. This one does manage quite a lot to enjoy. Among the better features is the rather engaging and fun atmosphere present, as although none of the interactions are really funny that it was attempted to be so means nothing is really dark or over-the-top. The outrageous premise and goofiness they display trying to continually shift back and forth through time trying to make sure everything happens that they end up causing simply by chance. As well, when it finally goes over the top in the final half where they tend to result in various plans and failed encounters trying to ensure everything goes to plan yet very little of it does require some genuinely creative thinking and some creative concepts for ensuring everything gets fixed. These factors, combined with a decent storyline about their father-and-son relationship that pays off nicely, gives this one some great positives.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.
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5/10
almost like ive...
ops-5253513 April 2023
Been time travelling myself, in a very dystopian, deductive and delirious state, and somewhere rings a bell that this was not a bad movie, allthough most of the plot story has been sephted out of my glorious memory glands of my superior cortex carosum, just almost clinging a hold of my dura mater to not to be swooped away by the alfa waves of flux capasitation, so where was i.....?

Some films makes you feel like a dork or an ork, because your too old and out of fashion, a world of possibilities that the young today breeds on , that ultimately passed the grumpy old man by. I like timetravellers and repairing future incidents, but this was maybe too quick on the essence, and what drove this machinery , search me.

So therefore just a 5 outta 10 , the gimmicks and gadgets being alleviated by the budget, some funny acting moments, but not the best out there on the market.so just a small recommend.
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7/10
A bonkers sci-fi/comedy!
baccaruda15 May 2021
This movie is nuts. The story is fun, the characters unique, with the main players channeling the Three Stooges, all while going back and forth in time to fix errors and then making even more errors along the way. It wasn't boring, I can say that!
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4/10
A Charming Low Budget Christmas Themed Sci-Fi Horror Comedy!
meddlecore17 December 2023
Like many, I never saw the first film in this duology...however, I thoroughly enjoyed this low budget, Christmas themed, sci-fi horror comedy flick!

In it, we focus on a trio of housemates.

All of whom have supernatural abilities in the realm of astral traveling.

Which they can use to travel to different places, back in time, and to traverse the boundaries between the realm of the living and that of the dead.

Most of which they use to con people into thinking that they are psychic.

However, here, they use their powers to try and bring back their favourite B-movie actress from the dead.

After she accidentally overdosed on a drug known as "party favours".

Only to discover her death was the result of a bizarre attempt to join some sort of elite secret society.

And that she wasn't exactly an innocent bystander in the whole ordeal.

It's really quite cleverly written.

So, even though it's short, and simply shot...it's really quite engaging and entertaining.

With the filmmakers knowing how to capitalize on the allure of making it a "holiday horror" (with this one taking place on Christmas, while the original is Halloween themed).

It's definitely one of the better home made horrors I've seen.

So I'd definitely say it's worth a watch.

4.5 out of 10.
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7/10
Great sequel!
BandSAboutMovies10 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Two years ago, we watched Mandao of the Dead, a film that was a lot of fun. Now the sequel - which was almost called Mandao of the Damned - is here and the good news is that it picks up right where the first one ended.

This time around, Jay Mandao has astral projected back in time to save the life of a B-movie star. Assuredly, that seems like a noble endeavor. But the more Jay and his pals mess around with time, the deeper they go into conspiracy, death and a Hollywood cult. Oh yeah - it's also Christmas.

Writer/director Scott Dunn returns as Jay Mandao, the titular character of this story, along with cousin Andy (Sean Lang, their driver Fez (Gian Gomez Dunn) and nephew Jackson O'Hare (Sean McBride).

This time around, Jay is feeling lost until he's hired by Ted Williams (Jim O'Doherty), an agent to determine how an actress named Aura Garcia (Jenny Lorenzo) in his employ died. While Jay has only been able to communicate with his dead father before, now he learns way too much. He learns information that puts all of his friends in danger.

I get how Mandao feels. He just wants to escape into a world of cereal and slacking, but people keep pulling him into their schemes. I had a blast with this one, just like the original Mandao movie. The filmmakers know a wise fact that even big budget movies neglect: keep people wanting more. This clocks in at 70 minutes, which is the perfect running time for a movie.
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8/10
even better than the first one
jedijimmy1014 January 2021
I highly recommend this movie. Such a great comedy/horror and story. Great production value. The actors also do an amazing job. Such a fun movie.
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6/10
Absurd twist on b-movie Si-fi classics
rankthelion15 June 2021
This was a great comedic twist on other out of body type movie. And apparently they've this is the second in the series, but I didn't realize it giving us a story that is distant enough from the original that it can be it's own film. I should have known considering it's called Mando Returns so I'll have to see the other one. There is defiantly a comedic voice here.

A fun 70 min.
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8/10
Fun, quirky and worth a watch
williamgway1 January 2021
I had not seen the first Mandao movie (but will watch now) but really enjoyed this sequel. This is a wonderfully well written story arc into an easily watchable time frame. the characters give the sci-fi story substance. There are some fun story lines around time travel that add to the movie. Overall very well done and recommend. Anxious to see the first movie and will review that in due course.
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7/10
A Fast and Funny Sci-Fi Romp
dfranklin-4182111 February 2021
Mixing sci-fi and horror elements with comedy is no easy task, but the team behind Mandao Returns has managed to do just that. If you're looking for something a little offbeat but a lot of fun, and that doesn't overstay its welcome, Mandao Returns is a great way to spend 75 minutes!
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8/10
Mandao Returns in this top notch Comedy
NZfilmfinder20 January 2021
Mandao returns is a great follow up to Mandao of the Dead, it's a hilarious sci fi comedy involving time travel and astral projection full of branching timelines juxtaposed against unravelling a murder mystery. The film is sharp well written and very funny incorporating some of the best elements of films like Back To The Future and Butterfly Effect but with some great humour. The film hurtles along at an excellent pace and the plot is extremely captivating you don't need to see the first film to enjoy this one but they're both worth your time. If you're a time travel fan this film is definitely for you.
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9/10
Astral Success!
monicachapur24 March 2021
This Sci-Fi comedy was super refreshing to behold. I really enjoyed the lore of this story. Complete with a Mandao's ability to astral project through time!

The special effects were cool and engaging. Some brilliant comedic moments here and the whole premise is hilarious on it's own. I highly recommend this watch.
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9/10
Super well paced and balances its tone and genres well
sitebpro8 January 2021
As a filmmaker I love watching how lower budget films handle high concept ideas. This movie does it well and pulls it off. Its heartfelt and wears its earnestness on its sleeve. Mandao Returns is a super well paced and doesn't overstay its welcome. Balances its tone and genres well and has good performances.
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9/10
Brilliant scifi comedy
rew_jk18 February 2021
Really impressed with this! I haven't seen the original (will be watching soon) but this works as a stand alone film imo. Clearly it's an indie film but they've achieved so much with it. The whole cast were talented and could act which is rare for studio blockbusters let alone low budget films. It was really funny in places, great story and the astral projection was really cleverly done! With the amount of time travel and body swapping it could easily have got confusing but they've done a great job! Editing and sound fx were impressive too!
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10/10
Fun and Enthusiastic
NickRizzini1 May 2021
Such a fun experience, it's like Back to the Future meets Inception with a nice touch of sit-com on top. It works as a standalone movie even though it might be a more cohesive experience if one watches the prequel first. Nice to know that there is another one to watch. :)
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10/10
A movie jam packed with everything you want!
fayk-7387719 January 2021
Mandao Returns has everything you never knew you needed in an indie film. If your a fan of the creative world that is indie filmmaking that you must check out this film!
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10/10
A hilarious sci-fi comedy
NUDavis859-112 January 2021
Mandao strikes again and it is fantastic! I love all the characters in this movie (especially Andy) and the hijinks they get into. This movie has it all: astral project, time travel, talking with the dead. And a little mystery/murder investigation sprinkled on top. And it never gets confusing, and this is coming from someone who saw this movie first and then went back and saw the movie that came before. But all of it pales in comparison to its humor. I haven't cracked up so hard in a while now, and during these trying times, a little humor to escape one's worries is definitely needed right about now. And this film has loads of humor bursting at the seams.
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10/10
Shawn of the dead vibes
timstillathethird8 February 2021
Really like micro budget indices like this. Fresh and different from the norm. Funny and nicely put together. An enjoyable popcorn flick with your best mates.
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9/10
"Mandao Returns" is a Literal Blast
briandilorenzofilm10 February 2021
Confession: I did not go into "Mandao Returns", the spirited sequel to "Mandao of the Dead", having seen the original. But as the astral projection starts flying and Jay Mandao (or "Uncle Jay") and his partners in crime Cousin Andy (Sean Liang) and Jackson (Sean McBride) start zipping back and forth between the spirit world; I was instantly hooked.

The comedic rhythms and speed to which jokes fly off the walls at you, reminded me of The Coen Brothers when they're working in their "Raising Arizona" register. Scott Dunn as Jay makes an excellent lead, and his double-triple-duty as writer, director, actor, editor, and I believe sound mixer as well, is equally impressive.

The movie has an infectious energy, of what I would call sophisticated wackiness. As far out there as the plot goes (and it goes far) Dunn never loses control of the ship and all the performers are in top-form, with a winning performance by Gina Gomez-Dunn as Fer.

The chemistry of these characters is all you will need heading into this astral plain, but there's a lot more surprises waiting for you too.
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9/10
Really Good!
directortim201211 March 2021
I didn't see the first Mandao film. But even without that, I was easily able to follow and get caught up in Mandao Returns. I don't think it's necessary to see the first film to enjoy this one. But now having seen this, I might go back and watch the first one, because I had a ball with this movie! It was smart, funny, inventive, suspenseful. The story was great and I loved the characters. Really well written and acted. I'm so glad I took a look at it!
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8/10
A fun watch with so many twists and humour.
evelyne-83 January 2021
I felt like watching something fun and Mandao Returns did not disappoint. I thought I may have to watch part one of this sequel but it was easy to pick up here. The characters are delightful, their world playing with desires, astral travel, strange cult leaders and time. This film took some deep questions about life, the soul and our purpose going into this world with humour , camp and laughs.
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8/10
Something different for Christmas
lindapalmer15 January 2021
Fun, quirky sci-fi movie for the holidays with great characters! Really love seeing micro-budget filmmakers getting creative in the space.
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8/10
Funny on steroids
bartlettdirect9 January 2021
This is funny on steroids. A sweet throwback to Billl & Ted's Adventure. Everything abt this little gem works. Incredible cast. In fact the entire team is to be congratulated for the non stop energy that went into making this gem.
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8/10
Damn That Astral Projection
GilbertS-8530 April 2021
What the hell? I didn't even realize this was a sequel until I finished the movie. It didn't seem to matter. I'm not sure I would call this science fiction, maybe more within the fantasy genre. I laughed many times and fell quickly into the story. It has everything I love about indie movies: quirkiness, humor, strange originality.

Now I'm going back to watch the first one!
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9/10
Such a good film!
craigahrens24 December 2020
Oh my gosh this is such a good film! What a terrific follow-up film to the first Mandao film! This film held my interest throughout. Such a fun story and the actors were all so good! They were a lot of fun to watch!! Sadly, more often than not... indie comedy films fall flat. But that clearly does not apply here! I for give this film a thumb's up. Also, I give the original Mandao film a thumb's up!!
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9/10
A beautifully told story of sacrifice and redemption
judahstrickland22 December 2020
If you LOVE B movies like I do, strap in my friends. This is going to be a great ride! With everything from a charlatan spirit seeker, to an honest to goodness astral traveler, from a boy seeking to find his father, to a bloody cult seeking sacrifice, this movie has it all! I loves Mandao Returns and so will you! 9/10!
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