Watch Beyond Re-Animator

Beyond Re-Animator is a 2003 horror film directed by Brian Yuzna and starring Jeffrey Combs, Tommy Dean Musset, and Jason Barry. The movie follows the story of Herbert West, a mad scientist who has developed a serum that can bring the dead back to life. He has previously experimented with the reanimation serum at Miskatonic University with disastrous results. Now, West is serving time in prison, but a young doctor named Howard Phillips becomes fascinated with West's work and his mysterious past.

The film begins several years after the events of the previous movie, Bride of Re-Animator. Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) is now in prison, but he continues to work on his reanimation serum. He has attracted the attention of a young doctor named Howard Phillips (Jason Barry), who believes that West's work holds the key to curing terminal diseases. When Howard gets a job at the prison as a doctor, he asks West to help him with his research.

Meanwhile, a new batch of prisoners arrives at the prison, including a convicted murderer named Cabrera (Tommy Dean Musset). Cabrera witnesses West's experiments and becomes interested in the serum, hoping that it will provide him with a way to escape from prison. Howard and West become partners in the project, and they begin to test the serum on animals. Initially, the serum appears to work, but as they move on to more complex creatures, things start to go wrong.

One of the most interesting aspects of Beyond Re-Animator is its exploration of the relationship between West and Howard. Howard is fascinated by West's work, but he is also repelled by the man's cold, clinical approach to life and death. West, on the other hand, is initially dismissive of Howard, but he gradually comes to see him as a potential ally. Their partnership is fraught with tension and distrust, but it is also the thing that keeps them both going.

The film also features some really disturbing set pieces, particularly when the experiments with the serum begin to go wrong. The reanimated creatures are grotesque and menacing, with body parts that are twisted and misshapen. The movie is not for the faint of heart, but it is a solid horror film that will satisfy fans of the genre.

Acting wise, Jeffrey Combs is once again excellent as Herbert West, a role he has now played in three different movies. He brings a mix of humor and menace to the part, and he seems to relish the chance to play such a twisted, dark character. Jason Barry is also good as Howard Phillips, conveying a sense of innocence and naivety that makes him a good counterpoint to West's cynicism.

In terms of direction, Brian Yuzna keeps things moving along at a brisk pace, and he does a nice job of building tension throughout the movie. The special effects are also impressive, particularly for a low-budget horror film. The reanimated creatures look genuinely frightening, and the makeup and prosthetics are top-notch.

In conclusion, Beyond Re-Animator is a solid horror film that will satisfy fans of the genre. It features strong performances from its lead actors, some genuinely disturbing set pieces, and impressive special effects. While it might not be as groundbreaking as the original Re-Animator, it is still a worthwhile entry in the series and a must-see for fans of Herbert West's particular brand of mad science.

Beyond Re-Animator is a 2003 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.