The Lost Skeleton Returns Again

Another Send-Up From the "ID"?

....But FIRST: Let us FOCUS on the Title's Content and Context.....

No, I'm not trying to take any of the credit for this film...Just making a reference to my #1 review of ALIEN TRESPASS.... My calling card, so to speak, on this sub-genre!

Some of the things mentioned there do apply here, so I'll make an effort to focus on the elements that make RETURNS AGAIN different.

First, let me specify, 7.5*, to be precise. From the same group of 50's low-budget Sci-Fi aficionados who brought us the definitive genre benchmark: LOST SKELETON OF CADAVERA. Seeing the original first will probably enhance your enjoyment of this commendable second offering, but by no means is indispensable.

For anyone out there really to savor this one, to fully appreciate the subtleties (or intentional lack thereof) of every deadpan line in every scene, you must be among those of us who couldn't get enough of the schlocky 50's/early 60's originals!

That having been said, RETURNS AGAIN does begin to wear thin at times. The redundant title foreshadows what we all have seen time and again: Excessive reliance on recycling bits from the original. However, there were enough cleverly conceived and well-executed new nuggets to make it well worth your while and provide you with quite an entertaining 90 minutes...

....ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA!

Maybe its because I saw this one first, but this movie is amazing. Yes, the first one has better flow, but the dialog of this one is sooooo much better, especially Paul with his bitterness speech. Animala gets way more play, I love Dr. Ellemy Royne, because she really is a villain scientist, and not quite as pathetic as Rudolf Yaber, Betty is even sillier here, Jungle Brad is way more manly - As someone who has watched a ton and a half of MST3k, as well as some other really bad movies, this was awesome.

I agree we could have done with less of Chinfa, but I love the cantaloupe dance, and her interaction with Animala is worth putting up with the strains of the double negative. Although its the first time Grammar has been traded for goods, so I have to give a bow to the novelty of that.

And also, there is more skeleton. And if there is a third movie I want way way more skeleton, cause he's awesome sauce.

And yes, some people won't get it, because it's a genre film, and its just not some people's cup of tea. But I think people who don't get it should just admit they don't get it and not automatically blame the movie just cause its not their taste. Feel free to watch something you like better, and leave the cheesy fun to us.

I love Blamire's work. Favorite monologues in this one were Dr. Paul's "Bitterness" ridiculousness, then Paul Fleming's attempt to warm the group he's under control of the skull, and then Benvegitantus's holy declaration of war. Groucho, Brooks, and Zucker approved. Great stuff.

In short, hilarious! Definitely ranks on my top 10 list of favourite movies. It manages to just be generally amazing and the satire is done to the fullest, and oh so well.

The characters are great and funny, it has more story than most movies that *aren't* making fun of "no story", and after having watched the original "Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" I'd say this one outdid the previous. Oh, and of course the special effects are very realistic and I'm still not sure how they did it. (Sarcasm.)

I can understand how some people wouldn't like this. Those people have no sense of humour :)

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra redefined how I viewed independent film. It was fresh, fun, and smart.

The sequel is fun and smart.

To be honest, the trailers didn't give me much hope. I went into the theater nervous.

First, I want to say the first 20 minutes of the film are a blast! The rest of the movie is a pleasant but not powerful ride.

I will say that the characters are still funny, and making Paul and Betty a little smarter this time around adds just enough to keep them interesting. The new characters are a mixed bag...the queen is pretty damn funny, the others come and go.

The plot does drag a bit, as did the original, but this movie really feels too long. At some point, everything seems to lose steam, but it never comes to a halt.

Still, if you're a fan of Blamire's smart dialogue humor and somewhat theatrical directing style, you'll find lots to laugh at here.