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From Beyond |
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Dr. Pretorius and his assistant Crawford work on
an experiment attempting to stimulate the pineal
gland (a so-called sixth sense) and open the door
to a parallel universe. When they succeed Dr.
Pretorius is attacked and killed by strange
creatures that seems to be all around us all the
time. Crawford is put in a mental institute but
another doctor wants him to continue the experiment.
Director Stuart Gordon brings his Re-animator stars
Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton back to H.P.
Lovecraft territory in this equally entertaining,
bizarre horror story. To make things clear, this
isn't as good as Re-animator by different reasons,
but it's right up there and a clearly underrated 80s
horror flick. If you ignore the technical and
scientific terms which presents the plot in the
beginning of the film, this is a surprisingly
easy-going and light-hearted movie which still
manages to create suspense and creep (not to mention
freak) you out.
The film's major highlight and star is Jeffrey Combs,
one of the horror genre's best and most over-seen
veterans. He was great as a wacko doctor in
Re-animator but here even better, as he gets to show
off his broad acting abilities, ranging from scared
to insane to dramatic. He has one of those faces
that can pull off the worst lines or most
preposterous plots, and this is still an above
average film so the outcome is all good. His
co-stars are almost on the same level, Crampton
being a likable scream queen and old Dawn of the
Dead hero Ken Foree pulling off a quirky, fun,
supporting hero but still managing to stay out of
the "black, comic relief" swamp.
For those who haven't followed the work of author
H.P. Lovecraft the plot might seem a little like
wacky nonsense but it all still works thanks to a
great cast, colourful special effects, gorgeous
gore, good mix of humour and suspense and Stuart
Gordon's intense direction. The film starts great
and builds up a nice pace which is only ruined by
a strange and uneven third part set in a hospital.
It's not bad but not as good as the rest of the
film and seems out-of place, slowing the film down
a bit. Also it delivers some annoying clichés, like
no one believing the suffering heroine until
it's too late.
Still, this is only marginal details. The film is
great entertainment and a nice touch to the
otherwise slasher-filled 80s horror genre. For
fans of fun special effects, H.P. Lovecraft and
Jeffrey Combs this is a must-see. It's not for
everyone's taste but if you get into it,
it's a fun ride.
A man gets eaten by bees and ends up a skeleton,
a melting man rips his own face off, a thing
erupts from a man's head and sucks blood from
diverse victims... That kind fo stuff.
The same kind of Pyshco-inspired score composer
Richard Band made for Re-Animator.
A good, entertaining 80s horror flick with a
great cast, colourful special effects, humour,
suspense and gore. Third part slows it down but
still worth seeing, especially if you like
underrated horror star Jeffrey Combs.
Review By: Slicer-Dicer
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