Director – Russell Mulcahy (Resident Evil: Extinction, Highlander)
Starring – Christopher Lambert (Highlander, Mortal Kombat), Robert Joy (The Hills Have Eyes, Land of the Dead), and Jonathan Potts (Jason X, The Strain)
Release Date – 1999
Rating – 3.5/5
Blu Release – 3.5/5
I was horror minded when I was in elementary school but that was mainly focused to literature. I loved reading books, especially Stephen King and Goosebumps, but I was still an avid movie fan and watched all genres. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I really found myself diving in horror film. I was in middle school around 1999-2001 so movies that were released prior to were either rented around the time they were released or they skipped by me. That’s why I love companies like Arrow Video, Blue Underground, Severin Films, and Vinegar Syndrome. Movies released decades before I was born and films released before I could appreciate them are now getting physical releases from these boutique labels.
Sometime back Vin Syn announced the release of the 1999 religious horror film Resurrection starring Christopher Lambert. Many genre fans were quick to call it a Se7en clone but that only made me want to see it even more. I gladly pre-ordered it when it was available and added it to my list of films to review when I could.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a homicide detective who is tasked with solving an especially gruesome murder. Soon he uncovers the religious connections and concludes that the murderer, though smart, is extremely disturbed and a religious nut who is trying to build the body of Christ using connections to the bible. However, the closer he gets to finding the deranged mind the closer home the killer becomes until both lines cross. **Spoiler Alert**
I wasn’t expecting a film to be as polished and as well thought out as Se7en but what Resurrection brought to the table was nothing short of brilliant. I can see why it gets compared to the latter but it is an exceptionally well written religious horror tale that does have it’s own unique spin on the horror-crime mash ups. In fact, there is parts of this film that I prefer over Se7en.
The acting in this one is one of the weakest aspects of the film. I was a huge Highlander fan growing up so I know exactly how dry and unemotional Lambert can be but there was something about watching him try to convey heartbreak that made me laugh my ass off. His dedication to the role is unquestionable but his emotional range is smaller than Kristen Stewart. The supporting cast tries to pick up the slack but they struggle to find their footing as well but I was really impressed with Robert Joy and his performance. He never disappoints and it was nice seeing him take on a bigger role than normal. He’s a fantastic character actor and his character here made the entire film for me.
The story for this one is a murder mystery with a lot of aspect focused on the crime portion but it doesn’t hide it’s horror elements. It is because of this, along with the heavy religious aspect, that gains the film the comparison to Se7en. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the macabre take on the resurrection of Jesus and how religious fanaticism is the real horror of the world. I enjoyed the pacing, the twists, the depravity it takes with the religion, and the pay out at the end.
Finally, the film doesn’t shy away with the blood and delivers some bloody moments and great special effects. The dead props, the make-up effects, and practical effects are all top notch which only sets the film over the top. Overall, Resurrection is a must see for all genre fans and essential viewing during your Easter Sunday. I highly recommend this release from Vin Syn so be sure to snag a copy.
Special Features:
Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm interpositive
“A Cathartic Experience” – an interview with director Russell Mulcahy
“Terrifying or Hilarious” – an interview with actor Robert Joy
“On The Same Page” – an interview with actor Jonathan Potts
“Over the Top” – an interview with composer Jim McGrath
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
