January 14, 2019
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Re-Animator was another film featured in Eli Roth’s History of Horror, so of course, my kids had to see it. On top of that, there’ll be a Re-Animator reunion at Texas Frightmare Weekend this year, with Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott and Barbara Crampton in attendance. Since I already met Jeffrey Combs at one of his appearances years ago, I’ll probably skip his line this year – but I think it gives the kids a thrill to just walk by these actors and recognize them from their works.
Loosely based on a H.P. Lovecraft story that I’ve never read, Re-Animator is the tale of Dr. Herbert West and his quest to reanimate the dead. It’s not hyperbole to say that Herbert West is Jeffrey Combs’ most iconic role and the one he’s most known for. His frantic, erratic energy is contagious. As Lily said, “Ugh, he’s just as weird as he was in The Frighteners.” She did not like him at all. Probably because of Rufus…
I’d forgotten about how creepy and rapey Dr. Hill was – I think he scared the kids more than Herbert West! I also forgot about his, um…lick rape? Is that what you call it? We were all rooting for his comeuppance.
More than 30 years later, Re-Animator is still a suspenseful thrill ride, filled with gallons and gallons of blood. Good thing there are some sequels I can find for the kids!
Rating – Unrated
Runtime – 105 minutes
Genre – Lovecraftian Horror
Director(s) – Stuart Gordon
Writer(s) – H.P. Lovecraft, Dennis Paoli, William Norris, Stuart Gordon
Actor(s) – Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale, Robert Sampson
BOB Rating – Three BOBs
Favorite Quote – "I was busy pushing bodies around as you well know and what would a note say, Dan? "Cat dead, details later"?" - Dr. Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs)