Return of the Living Dead Part II Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Some kids find a magic barrel that turns everyone into brain-hungry party animals, and the only way to stop them is…electricity?

🍿 Return of the Living Dead Part II: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Accidental Release

During a military transport, barrels containing the Trioxin-245 gas, responsible for the zombie outbreak in the first film, are accidentally dropped. One barrel rolls into a nearby river, setting the stage for another undead nightmare. The incident goes unnoticed by the military personnel involved.

Discovery and Disaster

A young boy named Jesse, tormented by bullies, discovers the fallen barrel near a cemetery. The bullies, in an act of intimidation, force Jesse to open the barrel, releasing the Trioxin gas into the air. Unbeknownst to them, this act will have devastating consequences for the entire town.

The Dead Rise Again

The released Trioxin gas seeps into the ground, reanimating the corpses buried in the cemetery. As the dead rise, they crave brains, leading to a gruesome and chaotic outbreak. The town is quickly overrun by hordes of the undead, hungry for human flesh.

Survival and Escape

As the zombie outbreak spreads, a group of survivors, including Jesse, his sister Lucy, a cable guy named Tom, and two grave robbers, Ed and Joey, band together to fight for their lives. They navigate through the zombie-infested town, desperately seeking a way to escape the carnage.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jesse Wilson (Michael Kenworthy): A young boy who is bullied and inadvertently unleashes the Trioxin gas, leading to a zombie outbreak.
• Ed (James Karen): A grave robber who becomes entangled in the zombie outbreak after the Trioxin gas is released.
• Joey (Thom Mathews): Ed’s partner in grave robbing, who also gets caught up in the chaos of the zombie uprising.
• Brenda (Suzanne Snyder): Joey’s girlfriend who becomes part of the group trying to survive the zombie apocalypse.
• Billy (Thor Van Lingen): A bully who helps unleash the Trioxin gas along with Johnny.
• Lucy Wilson (Marsha Dietlein): Jesse’s older sister who attempts to protect him.
• Tom Essex (Dana Ashbrook): A cable repairman who gets involved in the zombie outbreak.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joey: “I feel like we’ve been here before. You… Me… Them!” – Joey says this line when he is in the graveyard surrounded by zombies, making a direct reference to his role in the original movie.
• Doc Mandel: “Hey look, it’s Harvey… It wasn’t my fault Harvey we ran out of type O!” – Doc Mandel recognizes a zombie as a former patient, using dark humor to deal with the situation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,200,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,205,924
• Worldwide Gross: $9,205,924

💥 Return of the Living Dead Part II Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Part II isn’t as groundbreaking as the original, but I still have a soft spot for it. The zombies are goofier, the effects are cheesier, and the plot is…well, let’s not talk about the plot too much. But honestly, the over-the-top humor is what makes this movie so enjoyable. The scene where the zombies are distracted by the aerobics video always cracks me up! Is it high art? Absolutely not. Is it a fun way to spend a Saturday night? Definitely!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s zombie movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy horror comedies”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted zombie flick”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Zombie violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Some language”
  • “Suggestive humor”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “While lacking the original’s punk rock edge, Part II delivers on cheesy horror comedy, making it a fun, albeit less impactful, ride for zombie fans.
• Comic Book Resources: “A bit goofier than the first, ‘Return of the Living Dead: Part II’ emphasizes comedy over horror, offering a lighter take on the zombie apocalypse with plenty of silly moments.

Audience Reactions

The electric zombies ending was shockingly hilarious.: Most viewers found the movie to be a fun, albeit cheesy, horror-comedy.

Overall Consensus: A fun, but not as good as the first, sequel that leans heavily into horror-comedy. If you’re looking for scares, look elsewhere, but if you want some laughs with your zombies, this might be for you.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Thom Mathews and James Karen, who played pivotal roles in the original ‘Return of the Living Dead’, returned in this sequel, but as entirely different characters. This was a deliberate choice to add a meta-commentary on horror sequels.”
• “The film features a notable homage to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ music video, with zombies mimicking the dance moves. This was a nod to the pop culture of the 1980s and a comedic take on zombie genre tropes.”
• “Director Ken Wiederhorn has mentioned that there were issues with the rights to the original film’s score for US distribution on DVD. As a result, many DVD copies feature alternate music for many scenes, noticeably the rising of the zombies.”

🖥️ How to Watch Return of the Living Dead Part II?

Return of the Living Dead: Part II is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for availability on cable VOD services. As options change frequently, always confirm the latest availability on the platform of your choice.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Return of the Living Dead Part II, you might like these similar films:

• Return of the Living Dead (1985): The original film that set the tone for the zombie comedy sub-genre, with more punk rock elements and darker humor.
• Shaun of the Dead (2004): A modern equivalent that successfully blends horror and comedy, featuring a relatable protagonist dealing with a zombie apocalypse.
• Zombieland (2009): Similar blend of horror and comedy focusing on unlikely survivors navigating a zombie-infested America.

🛒 Return of the Living Dead Part II Related Products

• Return of the Living Dead Part II [Blu-ray]: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray with bonus content, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Return of the Living Dead Part II – Movie Poster: Reproduction of the original theatrical poster for ‘Return of the Living Dead Part II’.
• Return of the Living Dead II T-Shirt: Officially licensed t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the movie ‘Return of the Living Dead II’.
• The Return of the Living Dead: The Definitive History: Comprehensive book about the entire ‘Return of the Living Dead’ franchise, including behind-the-scenes stories and interviews.

🎧 Soundtrack

Return of the Living Dead Part II features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Flesh To Flesh” – performed by Joe Lamont

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988) Carnage Count

Ever wondered just *how* much zombie mayhem there is in ‘Return of the Living Dead Part II’? This video breaks it down numerically – it’s surprisingly informative and kinda hilarious!

Return of the Living Dead 2: Filming Locations

Curious about where they actually filmed ‘Return of the Living Dead Part II’? This video takes you on a tour of the real-life locations – it’s cool to see the film come to life in familiar surroundings!

Horror Timelines Episode 12 : Return of the Living Dead

Trying to make sense of the ‘Return of the Living Dead’ timeline? This video is your guide! It dives deep into the continuity (or lack thereof!), so you can impress your friends with your zombie movie knowledge. Definitely worth a watch if you’re a fan!

✨ Rate