User reviews

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lover of sci-fi here! What a hilarious trio that keeps you entertained and keeps you guessing. I loved the plot and how it unfolded with a twist I was not expecting. I absolutely love Jackson. All in all, it's a really fun world to be a part of for 71 minutes. Recommend for sure!

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.

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!

Unique and Original story line. Love the actors here. I could watch this over and over b/c it was very funny and had the paranormal twist going on.

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.

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!!

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!

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.

Loved the movie! The idea, the characters are awesome!!!! Had a great time! Perfect movie for a popcorn Saturday night!

Fun, quirky sci-fi movie for the holidays with great characters! Really love seeing micro-budget filmmakers getting creative in the space.

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!

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.

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. :)

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!

First time I've seen the subject of astral projection done with a blend of comedy and horror. Usually it's straight up horror thriller. I really enjoyed this Independent film. Cool story, great acting all around. The transitions during the astral projections were done quite well. Worth the watch.