The Return of the Living Dead Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Return of the Living Dead" offers a significantly improved and faithful video presentation of this cult classic. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer captures the film’s original aesthetic, maintaining its grainy texture and avoiding heavy-handed digital manipulation such as DNR or edge enhancement. This allows the film's comic-panel style, reminiscent of early '80s cinematography, to shine through naturally. Despite a relatively flat image with minimal depth of field, the garish and vibrant color palette is effectively preserved, notably enhancing elements like the fiery reds of Freddy’s jacket and Trash's hair, as well as the dripping crimson gore – which all appear considerably more vivid than previous versions. Occasional bursts of brightness from police lights and neon hues stand out, ensuring a dazzling visual experience that stays true to the film's original charm.

While sharpness is not the transfer’s hallmark, the disc nonetheless elevates detail levels across various scenes. From facial textures in close-ups to set decorations within the medical warehouse and Ernie's embalming room, there is a noticeable improvement. Darker scenes do exhibit some grain and compression noise, with inconsistency in black levels occasionally leading to murky or soupy grays; however, these issues are brief and generally non-intrusive. Intricate makeup details on zombies, such as the iconic Tar-man and half-corpse, come through more clearly despite some visible stick-on appliances. The HD rendition showcases the grotesquely beautiful effects in greater fidelity, from the gooey molasses texture of the Tar-man to the half-corpse's grim decayed visage.

In conclusion, while not without minor imperfections, this Blu-ray transfer delivers a faithful and engaging viewing experience. It captures the film’s vibrant aesthetics and essential details, holding onto memorable visual tones with impressive fidelity. This release is sure to satisfy fans while providing a definitive visual upgrade over earlier formats.

"The Return of the Living Dead's" Blu-ray audio presentation impresses with its dual offerings: a faithful 2-channel mono mix and a dynamic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. The latter stands out as the preferred choice, delivering robust soundscapes across various elements. Matt Clifford's main title theme pulses with strong presence, reinforcing the film's energetic spirit. The punk and deathrock soundtrack featuring The Damned, The Cramps, 45 Grave, and SSQ punches through with remarkable vigor, highlighting the bass frequencies and providing a compelling auditory experience. While the dialogue can occasionally be overshadowed by other auditory elements such as music or special effects, it generally remains clear and intelligible. Specifically, the distinctive voices of key characters like Tar-man and Half-corpse stand out, with enhanced tonal qualities ensuring their lines resonate effectively.

The mix provides notable support for effects such as gunshots, shattering glass, and other impactful sounds, enriching the film's intense sequences. Notably, the immersive soundscape is partially realized through thoughtful use of surround channels that engage during moments of action. While the surround usage is typically nuanced rather than demonstrative, ambient sounds like rain are subtly incorporated into the rear speakers. However, this addition can sometimes feel slightly artificial due to noticeable white noise spikes from active speakers. Despite this, the overall balance of the track across various scenes—both calm and chaotic—remains satisfying.

The audio mix successfully elevates the overall atmosphere with its well-distributed effects and potent soundtrack integration. It provides depth and clarity that surpasses the expectations for a film originally released with a limited audio range. This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track significantly enhances the viewing experience by offering robust and engaging soundscapes, making it a commendable choice for fans of the genre.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Return of the Living Dead" provide a vibrant and entertaining enhancement to the main feature, matching its iconic gallows humor and horror. The standout extras include dual commentary tracks—one by director Dan O'Bannon and production designer William Stout, which is analytic and production-focused, and another by the cast, filled with laughter and behind-the-scenes reminiscence. Moreover, there's the half-hour retrospective "The Dead Have Risen," where cast members like Clu Gulager and Linnea Quigley nostalgically discuss their time on set. Fans of the genre will appreciate "The Decade of Darkness," a nostalgic overview of 1980s horror films, featuring insights from icons like Stuart Gordon and Elvira. Additionally, the "Designing the Dead" featurette provides fascinating production details from O'Bannon and Stout. Fun subtitle tracks and theatrical trailers round out this compelling package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary Tracks: Production-heavy track by Dan O'Bannon and William Stout; nostalgic, energetic cast commentary.
• Return of the Living Dead - The Dead Have Risen: Cast interviews reminiscing about the film.
• The Decade of Darkness: Overview of 1980s horror films with genre icons.
• Designing the Dead Featurette: Insights into the film’s production and design approach.
• Zombie Subtitles: Humorous translations of zombie grunts and thoughts.
• Theatrical Trailer: Bloody Version
• Theatrical Trailer: Even Bloodier Version

"The Return of the Living Dead" (1985) is a quintessential 80's cult classic, offering a perfect blend of humor, horror, and subversive wit. Directed by Dan O'Bannon, this film stands out not just as a zombie movie but as one of the pioneering "zom-coms." The plot encapsulates a chaotic mix of Reagan-era satire and EC Comics-inspired horror as reanimated corpses wreak havoc due to a military mishap, linked cleverly to a fictional backstory related to George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead". With iconic performances from Linnea Quigley, James Karen, Clu Gulager, and Don Calfa, the cast injects unrelenting energy and dark humor into a script that's replete with memorable set-pieces like Quigley's provocative graveyard dance and the unforgettable Tarman.

This Blu-ray release is commendable for preserving the film's vivid color palette and dynamic visuals without over-reliance on digital noise reduction or edge enhancement. The makeup and special effects hold up remarkably well, lending authenticity to the film's gory and grotesque sequences, like skulls being bitten into and brains oozing. Audio quality is equally adept, balancing the eclectic soundtrack with clear dialogue and sound effects that do justice to the film's chaotic atmosphere.

"Return" pays homage to Romero while boldly defying traditional zombie tropes. Forget headshots; these zombies require complete obliteration, often with inventive methods like acid or tactical nukes. Noted for their speed and rudimentary logic—a humorous yet unsettling element—these ghouls even use a police radio to request "more cops". The film’s unique style, punk-rock attitude, and sheer entertainment value outweigh any lack of metaphorical substance, ensuring it remains a genre-defining classic. Fans of both horror and comedy will find this Blu-ray edition an essential addition to their collection.

Too often derided as a rip-off of George Romero's zombie movies�this usually comes from people who haven't seen it yet�Return of the Living Dead is a cult classic in its own right. It's got punk kids partying, mohawks, a tar-monster, good gore gags, sly satire of Reagan-era military incompetence, a chilly Halloween vibe, and a nearly nude chick dancing on a grave. What more could you want? The film looks strong on Blu-ray�not perfect, but better than expected�and there are enough special features to keep fans occupied for at least an hour or two. Recommended!

Though sometimes mistaken for a simple imitation of George Romero's iconic zombie films, "The Return of the Living Dead" stands as an essential cult classic. With its eclectic mix of punk rock aesthetics, humor, gore, and a subversive commentary on Reagan-era military protocol, this film successfully carves out a unique space within the horror genre. The Blu-ray presentation further enhances this by delivering a visually robust and compelling viewing experience. While not perfect, the picture quality is a significant upgrade from previous releases, capturing the film’s gritty atmosphere effectively.

The sound design on this Blu-ray edition also impresses, providing clear dialogues and an immersive soundtrack. Audio details like the growling of zombies and the pulsating punk music enhance the overall experience, enriching the macabre yet lively tone that defines "The Return of the Living Dead". Special features add to the package's appeal, including interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and insightful commentary that offer fans deeper insights into the movie's production and enduring appeal.

In conclusion, "The Return of the Living Dead" on Blu-ray is highly recommended for both longtime fans and newcomers. Its blend of humor, horror, and punk rock culture makes for an engaging watch, while the Blu-ray features ensure that the film can be appreciated in its best possible format. For any collector or horror aficionado, this edition is worth your attention.