Return of the Living Dead Part 2 (1988) - A Horror-Comedy CATASTROPHE! | Confused Reviews

Just when you thought it was safe to be dead... 🧠
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Featuring James Carlson ► ‪@MutaScale‬
The footage and images featured in the video were for critical review and parody, which are protected under the Fair Use laws of the United States Copyright act of 1976.
Confused Reviews - Episode 70 - Return of the Living Dead Part 2 (1988)
Return of the Living Dead Part II is a 1988 American comedy horror film written and directed by Ken Wiederhorn, and starring Michael Kenworthy, Marsha Dietlein, Dana Ashbrook, Thom Mathews, James Karen, and Phil Bruns. It is the first of four sequels to The Return of the Living Dead.
Return of the Living Dead Part II was released by Lorimar Motion Pictures on January 15, 1988, and was a minor box office success, making over $9 million at the box office in the United States against its $6.2 million budget.
#zombiesurvival #michaeljackson #moviereview

[@jesusplaysgames9951]

This video old AF. Saw this shit on Patreon like a day ago. Post new content already.

[@ConfusedReviews]

It WAS in fact released early on Patreon, Mr. Christ.

[@pickleeggs3340]

@@ConfusedReviews some people,EM I RIGHT 😄

[@HorribleHomeVideo]

@@ConfusedReviews you better talk to the people right FOOL

[@shmeenix8672]

Just imagine being 8 years old. Going to the living room at 1 a.m. back in the 90s and turning this on. USA up all night. Scared the shit out of me and made me a horror fan from then on. This movie hits in different ways for the generations.

[@maria.whiddon]

Omg someone from my age range. Lol. Yes, great memories of usa up all night. And tnt Joe Bob Briggs.

[@ELjefe665]

I watched the original night of the living dead black and white on usa up all night 🤣🤣 similar affect

[@ghost_anna_reads787]

Hi, born in the 1990's and saw this in the early 2000's. I agree. This hits different.

[@billblon]

Totally! Same.

[@blackatem1174]

Honestly both of these movies are equally entertaining to me! They are so hilarious. And the soundtracks for both of them are awesome And I really appreciate the two characters that show up in both movies

[@scottieman2]

Reason why James Karen didn't want to do the zombie stuff was because he didn't want to run around in the cold rain.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Mention that in the vid, yo!

[@scottieman2]

@@ConfusedReviews I'm sorry I got distracted at that part. Good video.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Thanks for watching homie!

[@MattPurvis-gt3ww]

What a Karen, eh? Budum......ching!

[@cjayporter8170]

I see you watched the documentary too like all of us 😂

[@generationwhyentertainment2455]

funny how the sex pest from the first movie was also in this one (i think he was the MJ zombie) and he was one of the guys in Part 3 at the opening i unironically love part 3

[@sidneyorin4555]

17:27-17:47 or at least you could've said one more line "this scene Rocks My Would"

[@80sHorrorCentral]

I've been doing horror reviews for a few years now on YT and recently found your channel. I think you're great! ROTLD2 is one of my guilty pleasures lol. I have been binging your reviews the last couple weeks. Keep up the good work, my dude!

[@ConfusedReviews]

Not sure why I’m just seeing this comment now, but thank you! I’ll have to check out your stuff.

[@infectedgoat7775]

Late to this Trioxin party but I just discovered both your channels! Excellent work, I love how both of you pick films that nobody else does and I remember most of them from late night cable! I did work at Troma for a decade though so these movies are second nature to me! Thanks for the great content. @80sHorrorCentral

[@lennoxmate4064]

Just watched this channel for the first time today and I’ve just subscribed to you too @80sHorrorCentral

[@CreightonChaney-io4xv]

Michael Jackson puns start @17:27 😂😂😂😂

[@Nico-vhsyunpocomas]

I like this one, i know it's not like the first one, but when i had to study a lot and i was full of stress many years ago, this one was on TV and i really enjoy it, put me some stress out.

[@ConfusedReviews]

I don’t downright hate this one, either. It just bums me out that they decided to make a wishy-washy follow up that couldn’t commit on a tone. Plus Tarman’s return was BLEH.

[@randycunningham7318]

I love this movie! Set in the suburbs, the people running from zombies from house to house, like a maze, expecting a Zombie to jump out any moment. The kid bully ghoul was a highlight.

[@ConfusedReviews]

I wish it was closer to Ernest Scared Stupid - can be aimed for younger crowds but still has stakes.

[@Antonio_Martinez]

You mentioned Basket Case 2 twice while listing all the horror sequels in the beginning. Just thought I’d mention that.

[@RickDaSquirrel]

What about the old zombie lady in the first one who had its body chopped in half talking?

[@ConfusedReviews]

Exactly, cut in half, meaning her lungs, voice box and all that are still in tact.

[@Falloutrxcky]

My favorite seasons of your channel 1. Season 3 2. Season 4.5 3. Season 4 4. season 1 5. Season 2

[@chrisorobello8559]

That zombie Michael Jackson was one of the crew, almost not making it in because he looked so stupid

[@charlesdemar9612]

Its brian peck..scuz from part 1 & a scientist in part 3

[@MutaScale]

Another awesome video. That James Carlson guy sure is cool. XD JK, glad to help out.

[@CleverTricksGames]

Absolute quality editing, breakdown and review.

[@chrispowerfilm]

Yeaaa… this one broke 10k. Your choice of movies is excellent. Research fantastic. Do you do your own graphics? Fright night poster catch was a good one. I find even when I’ve watched a lot of reviews of a particular movie you always provide something new and entertaining.

[@chancecam9397]

Next time on confused reviews: "Call of return of the living dead too dead too furious hell drift black ops 16 the squeakueal"

[@MattPurvis-gt3ww]

......Electric Boogaloo.

[@grandspringdale1564]

They should have stuck to the script Calfa originally wrote for the second movie🧐

[@TheHorrorShark]

Awesome review/editing, Luke!!

[@ConfusedReviews]

You da man!

[@TheHorrorShark]

@@ConfusedReviews right back at ya!!

[@GamerGuysReviews]

Regarding the situation with Ken Wiederhorn, he was trying to get out of the horror genre since he felt he was getting typecast as a horror director (he had previously done Shock Waves and Eyes of a Stranger, plus Meatballs 2). He figured doing a horror comedy that emphasized the laughs instead of the scares was his ticket out (and we know how that turned out). He had even reached out to Dan O'Bannon for his blessing and apparently O'Bannon was fine with what Wiederhorn wanted to do (although Dan had experience writing kids horror as he co-wrote the Invaders from Mars remake). Ultimately, the uneven script combined with producer interference (they insisted the zombies look goofy instead of scary, among other things) is what doomed ROTLD 2. Yeah, I know a little too much about ROTLD.

[@Falloutrxcky]

Every season of your channel is released on march but season 4.5 was released on November

[@ConfusedReviews]

What

[@Falloutrxcky]

@@ConfusedReviews do you get it

[@Untrus]

Man why so much hate for part 2 I think it’s even better then the OG return of the living dead…

[@ConfusedReviews]

opposite day perhaps

[@jamiewilliams5167]

Love this film its was the first zombie film that felt like it was made for kids.

[@highlyrecommend2115]

8:23 would be 10x better if it was THRILLER😆

[@StarShipGray]

I’ve always thought it was an interesting choice to give the cloud zombie on the movie’s poster and cover slit pupils like a cat or venomous snake. Honestly I like this poster better than the original’s, but that’s the only thing I like better.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Aside from being a tad too similar to Fright Night’s I’d agree

[@StarShipGray]

@@ConfusedReviews Best vampire movie of the 80s. Perhaps ever. Got it on original VHS, Laserdisc, DVD and BluRay.

[@jacoblee21]

As always, your videos are awesome!

[@JS-wp4gs]

Fun fact - brian peck plays the michael jackson zombie.....which is pretty ironic considering they both did creepy stuff with kids Also, mitch pileggi is one one of the soldiers. I guess he did pretty well during the movie and got a big promotion after joining the FBI

[@CarloCarrasco]

Now that you mentioned The Blob, could you review that?

[@ConfusedReviews]

If I reviewed every movie I mention, we’d be here till the year 2579.

[@shawnbliss]

Luke where did you find this movie? Or do you own it? It use to be on KZbin but got taken down I enjoy all your reviews dude the cartoon drawing thing is pure genius 😸

[@ConfusedReviews]

Thanks man! I own it, yes. It can be found pretty easily on the net.

[@StarShipGray]

The original “The Return of the Living Dead” also used to be on KZbin for free. I downloaded it years ago.

[@PickitandFlickitPodcast]

WOW, I actually like this movie. Can't believe your opinion on it is so FOUL

[@walterwhite3790]

I’m just wondering Will you ever do a dvd collection video?

[@leejones8582]

Part 3?

[@ELjefe665]

As an 80s child I loved this movie growing up in the 80s and early 90s. Part 2 was the better in my opinion, part one is better in pop culture but the sequel made the zombie rule book beginning more apparent, I thing the second pairs well with other zombie movies even night of the living dead. And all the reference during the 80s were spot on at the time even if they didn't age well over the decades. It's a rewatchable film more than part 1 or the night of the living for laughs and boredom for fun. Part 3 I wish I never seen that killed it for me so two is a close winner if not a tie with part 1 and 3 and 4 are garbage

[@Horrormaster13]

I actually don't mind Return of the Living Dead Part 2 and 3. Yes, they are not as great as the Original but I still find both of them entertaining in their own right. I didn't even bother to watch Part 4 and 5 because I heard that those two films are dogshit.

[@jamesmoss3424]

That's right 4 and 5 really sucks.

[@StarShipGray]

You can kill the zombies by shooting them in the chest or hitting them with a car in Part 4 (Necropolis). Really sort of eliminates any menace they had.

[@GAMEPRODELTA]

So should that crossover hinted at in the end be called another confused dead review?

[@matthewfranks2198]

Maybe he only gave him the comic so he wouldn’t beat him up

[@ConfusedReviews]

Chances are the shithead would beat him up regardless!

[@matthewfranks2198]

@@ConfusedReviews Ya know kids, they don’t think like adults at times.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Are fistfights and comic exchanges some of your common adult activities?

[@matthewfranks2198]

@@ConfusedReviews No. We just know someone is Trouble and try to avoid them. I think the comic was like a peace offering, I believe he thought if he gave him the comic, he won’t give him trouble

[@boomstickcritique902]

Pretty much the same movie as the first except watered down to be a Kid friendly comedy version. All they literally had to do was just set the sequel right after the first ending and just go from there I have no idea why they went this direction. For what it is the movie is OK kids zombie comedy but nothing compared to the first.

[@Youngstown529]

Return of the Living Dead is one of the greatest movies of all time. No sequel could ever live up. And they only get worse... much, much worse.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Writing my living dead 3 video now… its pretty decent

[@kevinthecollector818]

Yay more confused reviews

[@brytonup1551]

Waiting for part three!!!

[@derekhein3738]

They need to make a sequel to three, where they use the zombies for war, and it goes wrong

[@ConfusedReviews]

@@derekhein3738 working on my part 3 vid right now…

[@PGHDude]

I remember being so afraid of this movie (and the original) as a kid. Now I won’t even touch this flick with anything remotely tangible.

[@t1naba1ley]

I’m enjoying your reviews.

[@ConfusedReviews]

I really appreciate it! Thank you

[@t1naba1ley]

@@ConfusedReviews you are welcome

[@spilleraaron4748]

Brenda’s death felt fucking stupid, like they couldn’t figure out what to do with her so let her just give up and die without any fight .

[@ConfusedReviews]

@@spilleraaron4748 brainless broad

[@pulse4503]

Great fxs, 80s vibe, music, out of the ordinary but it works!

[@ghost_anna_reads787]

The decapitated head is the best character. Also, if that half zombie can talk, then so can she...what was her name? Pearl? She sounds like a pearl.

[@GamerGuysReviews]

Great review! The emphasis on comedy could have worked if had done something like Gremlins 2 did and upped the absurdity/satire, but it didn't. I own a copy of Part II's script (and wrote an article on what was cut/changed), and while it had potential, it needed another rewrite or two. It's not all bad, the DP of this movie, Robert Elswit, went on to become Paul Thomas Anderson's go-to cinematographer.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Thank you! Love Gremlins 2, so I agree it can be done. Where can I find this article??

[@GamerGuysReviews]

@@ConfusedReviews Google "Return of the Living Dead Part 2 Deleted Scenes" and you should find it (article name is "The Cutting Room Floor: Return of the Living Dead Part II").

[@l21n18]

Should have nixed the kids and had older characters

[@matthewbartke4424]

I don't get why they needed to use brains to lead the zombies to them. They already have brains in their heads that the zombies want and would follow them anyway.

[@busdriverguy]

"I hate horror but I'm gonna write and direct a horror movie" makes sense

[@Fonzflicks]

The sequel doesn't come close to the original, but I still found it to be enjoyable. It's funny that you compare the kid to Macaulay Culkin as I always thought of the film as Home Alone meets Return of the Living Dead. I think what I like about the movie is the setting. It's a silly movie, but felt scary in a way that it can happen where you live. I think my favorite part is when the girl calls for help and realizes the people that are coming are actually zombies.

[@brjoser]

15:38 She calmly give up her life just to end her role in the movie

[@ConfusedReviews]

@@brjoser reasonable…

[@malachisguides]

Brian Peck played Scuz in the first movie and the second one did a heavy homage to micheal jackson

[@altawedgie1392]

Why is the view count not higher on these? There’s some pure gold in your work!

[@ConfusedReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@altawedgie1392]

@@ConfusedReviews heck I’d almost cleared my watch later list, now it’s full of your videos. Thanks again!

[@ConfusedReviews]

Glad you’re enjoying the videos! Be sure to let me know what you think.

[@deaganlee2042]

You should review sleepaway camp or orphan from 2009 also great review

[@ItchyTastyPlays]

3 years later and a Return of the Living Dead reboot is happening. You called it haha.

[@ConfusedReviews]

It’s all a matter of time before some executive finds an IP in a file cabinet and has the brilliant idea… when they get to Back to the Future I’ll really lose it!

[@ItchyTastyPlays]

@@ConfusedReviews The best part is the people that own the IP are huge fans of the movie and from what was said it was a continuation after in first movies universe.

[@clownprince88]

It's funny how i don't agree with anything you said in this video but you presented it in such an entertaining and effective manner that i can't fault anything you said , and they are all legitimate critiques , although i still love this film , i didn't mind a retread of the first film , it was still highly enjoyable as the little brother to the original , and some of it is genuinely hilarious , and as someone alse has said , the suburban setting really adds to the atmosphere , i love it , in a different way

[@ConfusedReviews]

Just wait till I get to part 3 and address some comments lol

[@darkbonnie87fan]

18:09 theory: maybe a zombie was carrying that anoying zombie head

[@chrisorobello8559]

Tar man's eyes looked just as bad in the first...wouldn't the eyes rot out anyway? Same with hos bright pink tongue...I think the 2nd one looked better. The first had bright white eyes and perfectly white fresh teeth. That'd never happen during decomposition

[@ConfusedReviews]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYumZH2AaNl0gc0

[@sueflewelling3657]

Great video ps can I ask you a question

[@ConfusedReviews]

@@sueflewelling3657 ?

[@sueflewelling3657]

​@ConfusedReviews have you heard of the house of the dead

[@jonbon7219]

did u eat paint chips at an early age?​@@sueflewelling3657

[@CarloCarrasco]

Good review.

[@jonbon7219]

i usee to fantasize about being in that cadillac w the whole group. driving very slow. loading up on food gas, weapons. driving to find a houseboat on a fresh water lake and dropping anchor right in the center. hopefully hacing found lots of batteries and a transistor radio.😊

[@robirvine6970]

Hilarious fact: The lead boy got detention at school when a teacher watched the film and heard him swear.

[@ConfusedReviews]

That’s some next level BS if true!

[@ricotheskunk3062]

5:46 thank you for clearing that up. I always wondered what happened to that other kid.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Never noticed it before making the vid, maybe deleted scenes with him? who knows

[@justino8935]

Wtf this deserves better than 2 stars. It’s a good movie. Great for families on a weekend night

[@ConfusedReviews]

Nah 4/10 is generous lmao

[@agent74113]

Dana Ashbrook's back must have been killing him, from carrying this entire movie. He was great in Twin Peaks, and he's sadly surrounded by shitty actors in this.

[@clbaker8356]

The zombie doing the Michael Jacksom impersonation is Brian peck he will not go away

[@torytellstales]

Its ashamed one of the most iconic, horror comedy movies is now going to be remembered as a movie with a shit stain in it.

[@devinpaul9026]

So these two movies are a very weird case for me. While the original is obviously more complete and much better made and thought out-- I ultimately don't entirely like what they wound up making. While if this one here had JUST BEEN BETTER MADE BY A MORE COMPETENT SET OF IDIOTS it WOULD'VE been a much more fun and crazy ride than the original. It CLEARLY attempts to both go even darker WHILE amping up the comedy, and the new setting (though never truly utilized) provides endless opportunities for both. Zombie fast food workers, entire zombie suburban families, zombies at the movies, schools full of zombie kids-- maybe a pizza dude gets attacked and now he's out runnin' around on his little scooter crackin' jokes-- I KNOW it turned out like shit, but as it is it has it's more fun moments, and had it been better made it WOULD be the better movie.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

U realize that it's a comedy horror film??

[@ConfusedReviews]

And yet it’s neither scary OR funny.

[@dawnofthewalkers4915]

@@ConfusedReviews I second that opinion, fuck this movie.

[@patrickdoherty4527]

I've always loved this movie. I saw it when I was very young and it was certainly the first zombie movie I had ever seen.

[@dornravlin]

I get your frustration with the movie but I think it has its moments Maybe I’m easy on it because I saw it as a little kid and it’s a safe introduction to the genre as for the director Ken well he came from a generation of directors were the best way to get into the genera was horror or porn and he did another zombie movie with Peter Cushing called shock waves witch to me is preety good and he got type cast he knew he was never going to be a big dick A list director so he wanted to do a horror comedey

[@maria.whiddon]

I was impressed with your video. Knowing and bringing up this and that. You get the thumbs up based on knowing and bringing up Miss Quigley's Zombie exercise video :)

[@ConfusedReviews]

Thank you, anything with my girl Linnea Q kicks ass!

[@LordFinite]

Your knowledge of the movie makes for a good review. So glade the Blu Ray fixed the sound track. The track on the DVD is horrible to listen to. Funny to think she would be watching Linnea Quigley's Zombie exercise video. Master Roshi would approve. :)

[@ConfusedReviews]

Thank you! Seeing Linnea anywhere should make anyone approve! 😍

[@DrWaffle.]

Second best zombie movie ever.

[@daesplays8737]

Will that review of the third movie ever happen?

[@ConfusedReviews]

in the edit RIGHT NOW! (hopefully a few weeks)

[@h.r.m.8297]

You deserve a million likes for all the micheal jackson references 😂

[@ConfusedReviews]

just beat it

[@This_is_Phil]

I disagree with basically everything said in this video. But it was a good video. Keep the good work.

[@-Secrets-]

Could you review Final Destination

[@robertfrazier6563]

I did watch this so many years ago it more like a comedy than a horror. If they put Ash Williams in Return of the Living Dead 2 it would be a hit.

[@brandonspain12345]

"Return of the Evil Living Dead"

[@jamesmoss3424]

My favorite scene in the sequel is when the bully gets executed that was a good scene. 😀👍🧟‍♂️

[@jesusramirezromo2037]

Fiy, This video did not show up in my feed Seems youtube is screwing you over

[@ConfusedReviews]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4q6iXmfhryKnM0

[@diegodragun9076]

Your Patreon link isn’t working :(

[@ConfusedReviews]

Patreon.com/confusedreviews

[@jmart2321]

Love this movie

[@camk8856]

17:46 I need an hole video you just going through song cover and trying to make a coherent sentence

[@ConfusedReviews]

im bad

[@Eguerrerofan302]

Could you review Roger Corman's Forbidden World aka Mutant 1982??? It's a really good Sci-Fi/Horror Movie Alien Ripoff that's really good!!!! I would appreciate it, Thanks!!!!

[@ronaldshank7589]

Yeah...I agree. This movie has somewhat of a storyline, but there's too much comedy thrown in, for it to be a true "Horror Movie"...or to be taken seriously. 2 out of 5 from me, too.

[@andrewblanchard2398]

LUKE please do a non sarcastic review of this movie I actually like the 1st 3 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD movies

[@ConfusedReviews]

No

[@andrewblanchard2398]

@@ConfusedReviews 😕

[@sidneyorin4555]

18:36 😂😂 what are you talking about? the movie is rated R

[@scottieman2]

I liked it. Not as good but fun.

[@lydenna6585]

The most funniest satire horror comedy and you can't seem to understand that??😂 This film is brilliant.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Lmao naw dog

[@kylev938]

This movie is absolute dog sh*t. It was so boring, the storyline is super weak and recycled, felt like there's nothing at stake. didn't care for any of the characters. Simply went through the motions, and I wanted to hit stop so many points. I would've walked out of the theater back in the day if I bought the ticket. While the first one establishes a tone, great characters and manages to be funny and scary @ same time, this is barely memorable and is a waste of time

[@jonbon7219]

i like your rewrite hypothesis.

[@williammchugh4361]

Return of the Living Dead was edgy and ground breaking for its time (even compared to some stuff today imho). This film had None of that. It’s like a retread of ROTLD but watered down For Families lol. I wouldn’t mind that so much if they didn’t rip off O’Bannon or call it ROTLD. I saw this puppy in the theater on release and we were all like WTF was this movie? I recently rewatched it and the hammy acting is just painful to see. It’s like the director didn’t know what the heck he was doing or proper rehearsal wasn’t done. James Karen could do some great bits, but it’s not impactful here. His bits worked better when he was supporting the cast. The actors here Stink compared to the original. Weiderhorn should have just remade Shock Waves.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Some of the comments here would have you believe Living Dead 2 is The Godfather - FINALLY SOMEONE WITH TASTE!

[@BuccaneerBruce]

This came out when I was 16, my Mom and I saw watched this on video and laughed a lot at this one.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Very funny indeed, not always for the right reasons…

[@samsquanch1996]

The first Return of the Living Dead is an undisputed classic! This one though is an undisputed sewer hole. ROTLD 3 is really good though.

[@ConfusedReviews]

Doing RoTLD 3 after the vid I’m working on, can’t wait to discuss a zombie love story? Lol

[@shmeenix8672]

Every return of the living dead movie is not a sequel. They are all original stories. That should be obvious. Look at the rest of the series. 🤷🤦

[@ConfusedReviews]

Right, that pesky “PART 2” really indicates it not being a sequel. My mistake.

[@adamcheck4941]

This movie might not have been particularly good but it didn't get really bad until the made for TV part 4. one that is hardly a Sequel that doesn't even follow return of the living dead rules for example the instead follow the kill them with a head shot zombie cliche.

[@anthonyjordanmoviesandmore2470]

I actually like this one better than the first

[@arealone9506]

Loved this movie.

[@darkbonnie87fan]

If there was a plant vs zombies movie i would say this the pvz movie becuse the zombies in the return of living dead 2 are stupid and dumb just like zombies in plants vs zombies so this what it would look like but without crazy Dave,zomboss or some plants

[@ConfusedReviews]

I can safely say I would pay thousands to see a James Karen & Thom Matthews Plants vs Zombies movie.

[@darkbonnie87fan]

@@ConfusedReviews me too but fun fact since this comment has pvz in a living dead review The original title for plants vs zombies was lawn of the death Which is actually sounds so funny since replace the dawn with the world lawn (since the game has garden) and popcap would had goerge romero to license the title But they couldn't so they use plants vs zombies

[@IggyStardust1967]

Part 3 was actually much better.

[@josepmckoon948]

Are you smoked crack?