PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In the world of low budget horror and subversive cinema, there are many, many “WTF?” moments. One of these was when I heard of the title Orgy of the Dead 2, and looked up the original film. Imagine the WTF-ness of the moment when I learned that the OG Orgy (written by Ed Wood) was made 60 fucking years ago!!! I’ve never seen first film (I’ll rectify that soon) but apparently there were so many unanswered questions from this oft forgotten “nudie cutie” that someone needed to make a sequel! I HAD to see this and find out what kind of loony bastards took the time to answer those questions!
Synopsis
Once again, the dead return to land of the living for a night of debauchery as the Princess of the Night and the Emperor host a variety of dancing beauties to either entertain or be banished to hell. A car full of drunken teens crash their car near the graveyard and stumble upon the gruesome scene.
Two amorous couples: Jenny (Red Royal aka Jayme Schroeder; The Devil’s Dancers) and Peter (Adam Peltier; The Power of Positive Murder) are in the backseat of a car driven by their pal Jake (Nick Somer; Ice Bros) and his sex-fiend girl Cindy (Jessa Jupiter Flux; OnlyFangs) looking for cemetery to party in (or have sex in as Cindy is doing her best “Trash” from Return of the Living Dead impression). After an unfortunate collision with a deer (this shit ALWAYS happens), Jenny ends up dead, and after her friends’ (very brief) period of mourning, the, now trio of, teens explore the cemetery, interrupting the entertainment of The Emperor (Mike Fantastik) and his Princess of the Night (Penny Aphrodite; Ouija Slumber Party).
Tied to crosses, and forced to watch as a parade of sexed-up corpses, with descriptive names like “Junkie Whore” and “Toaster Girl”, the group is pestered with lame jokes and bad puns provided by their captors’ minions: the Wolfman (Michael E. Ross; Stream), the Mummy (Tony Kimball; Lust, Magic and the Witch’s Sabbath) and (!) Harambe (Clint Beaver; Robowoman) while they await their ultimate, and likely gruesome, ends.
Way more fun than I thought it would be, Orgy of the Dead 2 is the most effective horror/comedy I’ve seen in ages. Intentionally cheap and silly, the viewer is assaulted with visions of undead donkey performers with hula hoops, ridiculously escapable restraints, zany death scenes, and a gassy, diarrheal stripper (yes, you read that right) that has to be seen to be believed, all presided over a bearded pro wrestler type in fishnets & shooting glasses and a sex-pot in a Spirit Halloween Elvira costume. And don’t even get me started on the beefcake doormen to the beyond!
Written and directed by Andrew J. Chambers (Babezilla vs. The Zombie Whorde) Orgy of the Dead 2 shines through because of it’s cheapness, not in spite of it. It never tries to be something it isn’t and that’s why it is so effective. A script with copious amounts of acerbic wit, jokes that never try too hard, and some spot-on casting make this a film to die for (no pun intended). The goofy triumvirate of Beaver, Ross and Kimball keep the laughs coming, Aphrodite is a perfect goth princess, and Flux (who is working crazy amounts lately!) is an enchanting combination of absolutely stunning good looks, impeccable comedic timing, and bonafide acting talent.
Even the costuming, effects and music work more often than not, and that is virtually unheard of at this price point! The sword swallower make-up was particularly effective, and almost every character easily told their story in all of their topless glory! And, after Peter learns waaaaaay too much about Cindy’s kinks, our final girl’s story wraps up with a groan inducing conclusion that is just perfect!
The Blu, from MVD Visual, features standard packaging, with an alternate, Tales From The Crypt style art card inside. The film itself looks as good as it should on a hi-def set, and, like mentioned before, the sound design and soundtrack are surprisingly well done for a low budget flick. The extras are truly extra, with hilarious commentary a great making of featurette with Kimball interviewing Chambers, a “behind the sounds” bit, and the OG trailer. Pretty standard stuff but exceptionally entertaining to watch. It’s nice to have bonus stuff with substance.
An inspired, very well done horror/comedy Orgy of the Dead 2 hits virtually all the marks. Silly, sexy, and genuinely funny, it’s definitely one to seek out. Just try to avoid dysentery, trust me on this…
MVD Visual’s Blu-ray release of Orgy of the Dead 2 is available now from fine retailers.
