Release Date (UK DVD) – 4th April 2011
Certificate (UK) – PG
Director – Larry Blamire
Country – USA
Runtime – 90 mins
Starring – Larry Blamire, Fay Masterson, H.M. Wynant, Brian Howe
For anyone who hasn’t managed to get hold of a copy of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra on DVD yet I strongly recommend you do. Fresh, witty and perhaps more funny than it has a right to be, The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra has fast become a modern cult classic, attracting a wide range of followers from across the world who were charmed by the film’s originality, its witty dialogue, and ultimately, its sense of fun. Recently released on DVD, the film’s sequel, The Lost Skeleton Returns Again certainly has a lot to live up to.
Set only a few years after the first film The Lost Skeleton Returns Again follows the exploits of “man of science” Doctor Paul Armstrong (Blamire) and his wife Betty (Masterson) as events conspire to bring them to the Amazonian rainforest in search of the mysterious element Geranium 90. While in search for this strangely-named element, their nemesis from the first film, the now body-less “Lost Skeleton of Cadavra” makes a return in search of his body – a feat that requires possession of the exact same element. Naturally, much drama ensues as the two parties make their way through the “Amazonian rainforest” in search of the element, encountering monsters, aliens, and a strange group of Cantaloupe people in the process.
If already this sounds like something that might be right up your street then I can tell you now The Lost Skeleton Returns Again certainly won’t disappoint. While it’s not as fresh as the original, nor indeed quite so funny, if you’re new to the series, or loved the first and are eagerly looking forward to the sequel, then this film won’t let you down. The style of the film is an exact replica of the first, and if like me you found yourself laughing out loud at the cliché-ridden dialogue and witty exchanges then you will be pleased to know The Lost Skeleton Returns Again has these in abundance.
Where the film does perhaps fall short however, is in its slightly tedious nature. If you saw the first film, then there’s nothing new in the second that makes is particularly stand out. While the first film was perhaps a little on the long side, this second film feels even more laboured in places as the plot seems stretched to turn what should be an hour-long feature, into a strained 90 minutes. If anything, the film loses something when just over the half-way mark, it turns to colour. Whether this is because the film is starting to creak by the time it turns to colour, or because adding colour actually takes something away from the film’s aesthetic — away from the film’s “feel” — it’s hard to say. Either way, The Lost Skeleton Returns Again does noticeably start to struggle beyond half-way, as the plot loses pace and the jokes turn a little stale.
Of course this isn’t to say The Lost Skeleton Returns Again is a bad film — far from it. Having set such a high standard with its predecessor director Larry Blamire is to be commended for producing such a high quality sequel. While not quite as fresh and entertaining as The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, this sequel is definitely worth a watch. If you haven’t seen the first, I definitely recommend you watch that first!
The Lost Skeleton Returns Again is out on DVD now – order it here or have a go at winning a copy in our competition
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