The Lost Skeleton Returns Again

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.

If I may borrow the immortal words of Tom Servo, Larry Blamire is "a national friggin' treasure." Many writers and directors have trafficked in parody and pastiche, but Larry has three things going for him that I've rarely seen demonstrated by other filmmakers: An encyclopedic knowledge of movies, from the most obscure Poverty Row programmer on up; an infectious enthusiasm for the output of auteurs whose ambitions are bigger than their brains; and a unique style which combines brilliant wordplay and antic comedy in a way that makes one suspect he's actually the secret love child of Preston Sturges and Dr. Seuss. In other words -- he's a triple threat. And all of these qualities combined to make THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA one of the funniest films of the last few years.

So how does the sequel fare? Surprisingly, it doesn't really feel like a sequel. I went in prepared for more of the same, but THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN takes on a whole new series of clichés, primarily drawn from those low budget adventure epics -- rich in potted ferns and stock footage -- that thrived on cheap back lots from the early 30s to the late 50s. But LSRA wanders beyond the narrow confines of jungle pictures, parodying everything from gangster movies (there's a hilarious scene which pretty much guarantees you'll burst out laughing the next time you see a movie character order another to "take your gun out -- slowly") to those Mondo films of the 1960s, with their salacious native dances (believe me, you'll never look at cantaloupes the same way again).

All the actors from the original film make a return appearance, alongside a few new additions to the Blamire stock company. But it's not necessary to have seen the original LOST SKELETON (although I'd recommend checking out the DVD), or even many of the films the sequel lovingly mocks, because the jokes come so thick and fast there's something there for everybody. If you can appreciate a comedy that's smart and silly at the same time, you'll enjoy THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN.

Like "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra", "Returns Again" is best described as wonderfully talented people doing very silly things. It's really impossible to single anyone out...every player is spot-on. My only negative comment is that they aren't going to do "Ghost of the Lost Skeleton". I would keep seeing them as long as Mr. Blamire and company want to make them, but alas, this will be the end.

It is an absolute prerequisite to see the original film to even begin to get this movie, something the above reviewer obviously did not bother to do before writing a moronic "review" (or is it the ramblings of a feeble mind?). To accuse the producers of writing false reviews, given the cult status of these films, is nothing less than an outrage. Unfortunately, the IMDb rules do not ban stupidity.

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!

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 :)