The Lost Skeleton Returns Again

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!

Oh wait, he was cranky to start with.

I shouldn't have to even mention basic rule of thumb for sequels; they stink, with the occasional exception. I'm happy to report that this is one of those exceptions. Counting myself as a fan of THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA, I give this follow-up my seal of approval - a huge relief as I was braced for the worst, knowing the Sequel Rule and all.

The prior film covered a raft of 50's-to-early 60's SF B-movie sub-genres: crashed meteor/Ed-Woodish aliens/rampaging mutant/cat-woman/haunted skull. THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN picks up most all of that and rolls it in a cheesy (of course deliberately so) jungle adventure, harking to movies like LOST CONTINENT (1951) or THE LOST WORLD (1960) or THE LOST _(insert noun here)_. A host of time honored jungle movie clichés are subjected to a Blamiring they shall not soon forget.

All of the cast and nearly all of the characters from TLSOC characters show up in TLSRA, which is a bit of a trick as a couple of them were killed off in the last picture. This seeming non sequitur is explained away in the finest tradition of cheesy film making, and it's on with the show.

Like TLSOC, there is a broad range of humor going on with appeal to all ages; from visual gags to genre in-jokes. Thus providing grown-ups with stuff to quote and kids with hijinks to giggle at.

The standard question when it comes to sequels goes something like "does it work if you haven't seen the previous film?" I'm disqualified to answer in this case, but my money is on 'yes'. There's enough continuity and in-jokes to make persnickety fans happy, but not so much that it would put off first timers - as far as I can tell. But as usual, seeing the previous film first is a plus.

Larry Blamire movies tend to result in either a love-or-hate state. Like most cult movies, it seems you're either a fan of TLSOC who never tires of watching it and quote it in your sleep, or you're one of those who doesn't like it. Bottom line, if you didn't care for the first movie, this one isn't going to make you any happier. But the many fans of THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA will get along just fine with THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN.

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra redefined how I viewed independent film. It was fresh, fun, and smart.

The sequel is fun and smart.

To be honest, the trailers didn't give me much hope. I went into the theater nervous.

First, I want to say the first 20 minutes of the film are a blast! The rest of the movie is a pleasant but not powerful ride.

I will say that the characters are still funny, and making Paul and Betty a little smarter this time around adds just enough to keep them interesting. The new characters are a mixed bag...the queen is pretty damn funny, the others come and go.

The plot does drag a bit, as did the original, but this movie really feels too long. At some point, everything seems to lose steam, but it never comes to a halt.

Still, if you're a fan of Blamire's smart dialogue humor and somewhat theatrical directing style, you'll find lots to laugh at here.

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.

THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN is bigger, bolder, and far more "in color" than its predecessor. All of our favorite characters return, including Animala (Jennifer Blaire), Dr. Armstrong (Larry Blamire), and Ranger Brad's brother, Jungle Brad (Dan Conroy)!

Indeed, the sinister skeleton has returned seeking world dominion once more. Now, the race is on to find the miracle element known as Jerranium 90, deep in the jungles of The Valley Of The Monsters.

If you enjoyed the first film, then get ready for another trip in Director Larry Blamire's time machine of fun! With more monsters! More adventure! Annnd, more double negatives than never not attempted in any other film! Ever!

Beware of the Queen of the Cantaloupe People, for she is one heck of a dancer...