More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead

More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

If you were disappointed with what MGM extras was on their Special Edition of THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD then have no fear because this documentary will be what you're wanting. Clocking in just under two-hours, this documentary features interviews with the majority of the cast and crew including Clu Galager, James Karen, Thom Matthews, Don Calfa, Brian Peck, John Russo, Jules Brenner, James Dalebandro, Graham Henderson, Tony Gardner, Kenny Myers, Jewel Shepard, William Stout, Beverly Randolph, Paul Sammon, Allan Trautman and of course Linnea Quigley. Director Dan O'Bannon died a couple years before this was released so he's only featured at the end in a touching archival interview, which ended up being his last and this can be seen in its full version as a featurette on the disc. It should go without saying but just about everything you'd want to know about this film is discussed here and some of the best moments are stories about the early stages of production. This includes John Russo's original version of the story and what legal issues he had in regards to the name and George Romero. We also hear about why Tobe Hooper had to back out of the film and then we start to hear about getting the cast together and the six weeks of filming. Fans are really going to eat this thing up since the majority of the major crew are on hand and all of them tell some great stories. There's talk about their favorite scenes, how certain scenes ended up in the film and it seems everyone is mixed on how they ended the movie. If you're a fan of the movie then I can't imagine you not being entertained by this thing and it's certainly great getting to see the cast members as they are today. It's clear that they all have fond memories on the movie and are thankfully that it's still so highly regarded today. There's also a fitting tribute to O'Bannon but once you see his separate featurette/interview you'll notice that a lot of his relationships with the cast and crew were sugar coated here.

This was a documentary that I learned about a few years ago but hadn't gotten around to seeing. I believe that I have this on the Blu-ray disc that I own. I ended up streaming this on Screambox while at work. To give more background as to what drew me to this, I love The Return of the Living Dead, the basis.

Where I want to start then is that this is a blast. It is amazing to see all the cast members and crew behind the camera that they could. There are the likes of Clu Gulager, James Karen, Thom Mathews, Don Calfa, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Linnea Quigley, Beverly Randolph, John Philbin and Jewel Shepard for the actors. We then have Jules Brenner, James Dalesandro, Graham Henderson and others who managed the production. What I'll say here, I'm glad that they interviewed the older members for sure. This record is something that is great to have for a cult classic like this.

Now I've said that it was interesting to hear the different stories of the production and hearing their sides of it. It gives an intriguing perspective to these young actors and their interactions with Dan O'Bannon who co-wrote/directed this film. Hearing how to be butted heads with someone who was proven like Gulager was interesting. Despite the rigorous shooting schedule and the budget, they worked with, they created magic. That unique perspective helps me to appreciate the movie even more.

I'll say that this documentary is well-made. I like that it progresses pre-production, what went into getting this set up and the casting. They then progress through the movie, going into stories and what made the shoot difficult. It then goes into, briefly, how well this did and its legacy. I do like that they set up effects with almost a comic book feel as it fades out of their topic to the next. It feels a bit cheesy, but it fits the vibe of the film for sure. Incorporating in the soundtrack at times made me smile as well.

I'd highly recommend this if you're a fan of this movie. There is fun perspective and insights that you can get. I'd also say, if you like documentaries about how movies are made, this one doesn't go too deep into it. They do discuss challenges and work arounds that they did. This is more about hearing the stories of those that made this movie possible.

My Rating: 8 out of 10.

...but obviously of little interest to anyone other than fans of said film (and its lesser follow-ups) or, at the very least, fans of the late Dan "Alien" O'Bannon, who wrote and directed it. This tidy little doc is essentially a video version of "The Complete History of the Return of the Living Dead," by British fan/co-authors Christian Sellers and Gary Smart (with some help from a fellow responsible for a "Nightmare on Elm Street" retrospective which was released a half year prior). This DVD-only release includes several shorter pieces devoted to the first two sequels of "RotLD," as well as a number of other entertaining features including the last interview with O'Bannon before he died. For fans this is easily a "10"; I only give it a "7" due to its limited appeal.

If you are a zombie aficionado, then you definitely should be familiar with "Return of the Living Dead" franchise. And having seen "More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead", as a zombie aficionado, then I can honestly say that I was thoroughly and wholeheartedly entertained.

Now, bear in mind that this is a documentary about the cult classic, so if documentaries are not in your spectrum of enjoyment, then perhaps you should stay clear of this.

But for us hardcore zombie fans, then "More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead" delivers some great insight to the cult classic, both as to what went on behind the camera and on the screen.

And it is really nice to have a revisit with the cast members as they reminisce about the movie, the casting, and everything in between.

"More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead" is a must watch for die-hard fans of "Return of the Living Dead".

I stumbled upon this while searching for return of the living dead. It's Halloween season and i always turn back to the childhood hits but this was unexpected and very cool. This show is a real treat as long as you love these movies and if you're reading this, you do. Treat yourself to this show and you won't regret it. Enjoy!!