Those who enjoy trashy '80s horror served with a hefty dollop of cheeze will no doubt get a kick from Twice Dead, which benefits from a very silly plot, competent direction and a decent pace, likeable protagonists, loathesome baddies, some sexy ladies, a handful of gory deaths and even a supporting role for Todd Bridges of Diff'rent Strokes fame. High art it ain't, but it sure is entertaining.
The film opens in the 1930s, as film star Tyler Walker hangs himself, having been jilted by his love Myrna. Half a century later, and the Cates family -- Harry and Sylvia, and their kids Scott and Robin -- inherit Walker's mansion, which is supposedly haunted by the actor's ghost. Before they can move in, the family must get rid of the street gang who have been using the building as their playground. In doing so, they incur the wrath of the hoodlums, one of whom develops an interest in Robin (Jill Whitlow).
When their parents leave them alone for a couple of weeks, Scott (Tom Bresnahan) and Robin devise an elaborate (and preposterous) plan to scare off the gang once and for all. Instead, they further anger the thugs, who return to seek revenge. Luckily for the Cates kids, Tyler's ghost is on hand to help deal with their attackers.
For much of the runtime, Twice Dead is less horror and more teen drama, focusing on the kids's run-ins with lowlife Silk (Christopher Burgard), his equally scuzzy pals, Crip (Jonathan Chapin), Stony (Shawn Player), Melvin (Travis McKenna), and un-named gang member (Raymond Cruz). Less objectionable are the gang's ladies, appealing blonde Candy (Joleen Lutz) and sexy brunette Tina (Charlie Spradling). These altercations are entertaining enough, but the final act, in which the gang members get their ghostly comeuppance, is where the most fun is to be had, the bloody death scenes including a head crushed by dumb waiter, death by possessed motorbike, electrocution during sex (the gorgeous Spradling providing the obligatory nudity), and a shotgun blast to the head.
A silly storyline, cartoonish baddies, Todd Bridges being run down, fun splatter, and Spradling's big boobs equals a good time in my book. 7/10
The film opens in the 1930s, as film star Tyler Walker hangs himself, having been jilted by his love Myrna. Half a century later, and the Cates family -- Harry and Sylvia, and their kids Scott and Robin -- inherit Walker's mansion, which is supposedly haunted by the actor's ghost. Before they can move in, the family must get rid of the street gang who have been using the building as their playground. In doing so, they incur the wrath of the hoodlums, one of whom develops an interest in Robin (Jill Whitlow).
When their parents leave them alone for a couple of weeks, Scott (Tom Bresnahan) and Robin devise an elaborate (and preposterous) plan to scare off the gang once and for all. Instead, they further anger the thugs, who return to seek revenge. Luckily for the Cates kids, Tyler's ghost is on hand to help deal with their attackers.
For much of the runtime, Twice Dead is less horror and more teen drama, focusing on the kids's run-ins with lowlife Silk (Christopher Burgard), his equally scuzzy pals, Crip (Jonathan Chapin), Stony (Shawn Player), Melvin (Travis McKenna), and un-named gang member (Raymond Cruz). Less objectionable are the gang's ladies, appealing blonde Candy (Joleen Lutz) and sexy brunette Tina (Charlie Spradling). These altercations are entertaining enough, but the final act, in which the gang members get their ghostly comeuppance, is where the most fun is to be had, the bloody death scenes including a head crushed by dumb waiter, death by possessed motorbike, electrocution during sex (the gorgeous Spradling providing the obligatory nudity), and a shotgun blast to the head.
A silly storyline, cartoonish baddies, Todd Bridges being run down, fun splatter, and Spradling's big boobs equals a good time in my book. 7/10