If you grew up in the ’80s glued to MTV, Russell Mulcahy was a familiar name. He wasn’t in a band, but he made the bands more appealing directing their music videos. The Australian started out with AC/DC and The Saints’ “(I’m) Stranded), but came up to Europe to make his mark. The first video played on MTV was the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” that was directed by Mulcahy. He might have made his biggest mark with Duran Duran including “Hungry Like the Wolf.” While his videos were mini-movies, he finally got to start making the real ones including the masterpiece known as Highlander (1986). Christopher Lambert became an international star as the immortal with a sword. Mulcahy and Lambert teamed up to make a sequel: Highlander II: The Quickening. Towards the end of the ’90s, they met up to do a film where Lambert didn’t have to hack anyone’s head off. Resurrection made Lambert a detective looking for a killer that’s hacking off heads and other parts of his victims.
Detective John Prudhomme (Lambert) gets pulled onto a homicide case where the victim is missing his left arm. As if that isn’t gross, the killer wrote “He is coming” on the window in blood. It’s not the dead guy’s blood. They later find another victim missing their right arm. John’s partner Det. Andrew Hollinsworth (Alien Resurrection‘s Leland Orser) nearly pukes when they find a naked dead guy on a toilet missing his head. What is going on here? They consult with an FBI profiler to get a vague idea fo the suspect. Prudhomme finds numbers on the body and deduces they reference Bible passages about the resurrection of Jesus. Since Easter is coming up, the detectives fear the killer is going to be claiming more victims before Sunrise service. In order to get a deeper insight into the religious inspired killer, he consulates a priest, Father Rousell (David Cronenberg). Is he going to get enough clues to stop the killer or will he become part of the serial killer’s resurrection plan?
While the movie played theaters in Asia, Europe and Australia, Resurrection went straight to video when it came out in USA back in 1999. This is a shame since Jonathan Freeman’s cinematography screams to be seen on a big screen. Freeman would go on to shoot episodes of Game of Thrones. This is a tense and gross thriller with quite few stomach churning special effects. Mulcahy has a quick paced cops versus serial killer. Lambert is credited as producer as well as a “story by” credit. Wisely Lambert made his cop a Cajun who has relocated to Chicago to explain why he doesn’t constantly say, “Da Bears” and speaks with a French accent. The film does have a Seven-vibe including the fact that Orser is in both movies. Resurrection goes in its own direction with the religious inspired killings to keep it from being a knock off. Resurrection makes a fine Lambert double feature with Highlander.
Video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The video is a 2k transfer from its 35mm interpositive. You’ll get an eyeful of the special effects especially during the big payoff. The audio is DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix that will let you hear the tension at the crime scenes. The movie is subtitled in English.
A Cathartic Experience (27:23) is an interview with director Russell Mulcahy. He talks about how Lambert and Mirman pitched him an idea that wasn’t working and Lambert then talked about his idea for a religious serial killer film. They went up to Toronto to make it. He speaks about a photographer that inspired the look of the film with his pictures that feature corpses.
Terrifying or Hilarious (15:00) gets deep into playing a complicated character with actor Robert Joy. Don’t watch this bonus feature until you’ve seen the film. Joy was in Ragtime and Atlantic City. He was also Madonna’s love interest in Desperately Seeking Susan.
On The Same Page (13:17) meets up with actor Jonathan Potts. He talk about playing one of the supporting detectives. He doesn’t remember the audition. But he had a classmate go in after him and knew that Potts got the role. He speaks about how to bring a touch of personality to a character that’s there to service the stars. He talks about the mood on the set.
Over the Top (14:03) has composer Jim McGrath talk about how Mulchay didn’t want a minimalist score. He wanted more from the music. He landed the gig from his pal that was picture editing Resurrection. He used a 54 piece orchestra.
Vinegar Syndrome presents Resurrection. Directed by Russell Mulchay. Screenplay by Brad Mirman. Starring Christopher Lambert, Robert Joy, Barbara Tyson, Rick Fox, Leland Orser & David Cronenberg. Rated: Unrated. Running Time: 108 minutes. Release Date: October 26, 2021.
