Blu-ray Review: BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR (1989)

BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR
Directed by:  Brian Yuzna
Distributed by: Arrow Video / MVD Distribution

  Have I told you that Arrow Video is becoming my favorite DVD/BD company?  They are constantly putting out amazing releases of some classic horror.   One of their latest releases is of Director Brian Yuzna's classic, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR!   This is a sequel to the classic film, RE-ANIMATOR, which just so happens to be one of my Top 5 favorite horror films of all time! 
While nothing can compare to the original classic, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR comes about as close as you can get.  This is an amazing film that re-creates the tone and fun of the first film.  I'll go ahead and toss out the plot synopsis courtesy of the Arrow Films website, although I have a feeling most true horror fans are already well aware of this one:

  The success of Stuart Gordon’s hit horror-comedy Re-animator meant that a sequel was all but inevitable. The resulting follow-up, Bride of Re-animator – this time helmed by director Brian Yuzna (Society, Return of the Living Dead 3) – would prove that there was a good deal more life left in the story of Dr. Herbert West and his ghoulish exploits.
  It is 8 years since the Miskatonic massacre. Unperturbed by the disastrous outcome of his previous meddling with the dead, Dr. West (again played by Jeffrey Combs) continues his research into the phenomenon of re-animation; only this time, he plans to create life – starting with the heart of his young protégé Dan’s dearly deceased, Meg Halsey. Surely nothing could go wrong?
  With special effects master Screaming Mad George (the man behind the infamous “shunting” sequence in Society) on hand to contribute a host of characteristically weird and wonderful creations – including zombified bats and a one-eyed finger spider – Bride of re-animator is a more than worthy successor to Gordon’s original cult classic.

  Again, I wont go into much of the film, as it's over 25 years old, I'm sure most of you have seen it before.  You probably already own this on DVD.  What I want to bring you attention to here is this limited edition release that Arrow has put out.  They have awesome special features with most all of their releases, but this limited edition 3 disc set is truly an amazing release.   Buying this new set, even if you own an older released DVD is a no brainer.  Check out all these special features:

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 3-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
*  Brand new 2K restorations of the Unrated and R-rated versions of the film, approved by director Brian Yuzna
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Stereo 2.0 audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
*  Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet
*  Limited Edition Packaging

DISCS 1 & 2 – BLU-RAY/DVD – UNRATED VERSION
*  Brand new 2K restoration of the Unrated version
*  Brand new audio commentary with Brian Yuzna
*  Audio Commentary with Brian Yuzna, star Jeffrey Combs, visual effects supervisor Tom
*  Rainone and the effects team including John Buechler, Mike Deak, Bob Kurtzman, Howard Berger and Screaming Mad George
*  Audio Commentary with stars Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott
*  Brian Yuzna Remembers Bride of Re-animator – brand new featurette in which the director looks back at the making of the first Re-animator sequel
*  Splatter Masters: The Special Effects Artists of Bride of Re-animator – Brand new FX featurette with a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Robert Kurtzman of KNB, Screaming Mad George, Tony Doublin and John Buechler
*  Getting Ahead in Horror – archive making-of featurette
*  Deleted Scenes

DISC 3 – BLU-RAY – R-RATED VERSION
*  Brand new 2K restoration of the R-rated version


So there you have it....this set has hours of special features for you to enjoy!  This set was released just a few weeks ago, and is already out of print and is selling out fast!  Amazon.com still has a few copies, so get your hands on a copy asap before they are gone!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack