Product Details

• Actors: Richard Brestoff, George Clooney, Vince Edwards, Al Fann, Panchito Gómez
• Format: Color, EP, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• VHS Release Date: September 10, 1997
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303460046
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,568 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Return to Horror High is a convoluted cheesefest that tries to be spoof and horror movie at the same time, feebly prefiguring Scream. A movie crew is filming a slasher picture at a high school where a series of murders actually occurred; the killings begin again--or are they simply staged for the production? The answer to this question is distinctly uninvolving, but it involves a lot of fake blood. Familiar faces include Vince Edwards and Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick (a uniformed cop), plus--until he becomes the first victim--George Clooney. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good 80's slasher!, May 13, 2002

By 

derek glidewell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Horror High (DVD)

Unlike many reviewers, I actually enjoyed this film, "Return to Horror High" is not only a 80's nostalgic slasher, it is also a spoof/satire on the whole low-budget horror film franchise, which I feel gives the film a big boost. The plot is rather original, it's not the typical "invincible man in a mask stalking half naked teens through the woods with farm tools" formula, it's about a film crew who is filming a low-budget horror film on a mass murder that happened 3 years ago at Crippen High, and mysteriously the killer was never apprehended. So as soon as filming begins, one by one the cast and crew start getting knocked off, and it's up our heroic duo to solve the mystery of who could be behind the murders and what really happened at Crippen High. The story is more "in-depth" than the typical 80's slasher flick and the acting is above average, as most of the cast provide very believable performances. The overall production value is high, as the effects are realistic, even when purposefully campy, and the overall school setting is eerie.

As for the DVD, Anchor Bay has done another fine job restoring a lost 80's classic. The only feature is a trailer, which is more like a teaser, but is superbly crafted and is made of the highest quality, it's very convincing, very dark, and I personally do not see how it didn't sell the film well. The picture is in 1.85:1 widescreen ratio, and is excellent, no blotches, no streaks, no cracks, and the colors are well divided and very vibrant. My only complaint was the sound, if they would have done a 3.0 surrond, or even a 2.0 Stereo remix, the effect of many "BOO" scenes would have been much greater as oppose to Mono. But still the dialogue and sound effects are distinguishable from each other and do not blend. Plus you get a mini theatrical one-sheet inside the package.

Overall, I highly reccomend "Return to Horror High". Some may get confused by the ending, but I feel it's from a lack of paying attention, because I understood the ending just fine, but if you pay attention and listen carefully during the last 10 minutes, everything should make sense. Once again, Anchor Bay has provided us with another great classic and given it a nice transfer, plus a very reasonable price. All horror fans should enjoy this one, as well as film buffs, if you feel weary about his one because of the mixed reviews, then I suggest a rental, and then decide. I hope this helped in making your final decision, whether you buy or pass. Thanks for reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A dull and disjointed disaster., March 27, 2008

By 

Dymon Enlow "Dymon Enlow" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return to Horror High (DVD)

Posing as a high school slasher THE RETURN TO HORROR HIGH is actually a poorly written, poorly acted and poorly directed horror/ comedy...and I'm using both of those terms loosely.

Confusingly told with an incredible amount of flashbacks, a limp dream sequence and a twist ending that was so stupid it made THE VILLAGE look like Stephen Hawking the story is about a film crew shooting a slasher movie at a high school that was previously the scene of a real life massacre. People start disappearing, but not as quickly as my desire to care what happens.

I have no idea what the filmmakers were going for, but they failed on every level possible. Sadly, I've seen worse, much worse, but still there is no reason (outside of morbid curiosity or drunkeness) to waste your time on this clunker.

Gorehounds: don't worry about it; the limited special effects are pathetic, barely above Troma standards.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything Scream Has A ForeFather, December 18, 2002

By 

TastyBabySyndrome "Matthew Lewis, author of M... ("Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Little Tendril Baseball Team, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Horror High (DVD)

Return to Horror High, the beginning of an entire limb of horror that leaned away from trying to be truly horrible, wasn't received with open arms when its spoof qualities were first exhibited and still has problems to this day. The reason it seems to have these issues is because it: (1) lacks quality caliber actors and actresses (yes, it did have George Clooney and his bloody moment did come off rather well, and Marcia Brady was a bit odd to see here as well), (2) lacked an awe-striking budget, (3) sometimes hits a few plotholes has it trudges through various deaths, (4) it has a few laughs along the way. Still, the elements to something enjoyable all manifest themselves herein.

Return to Horror High is a movie about someone making a movie about a massacre that took place years removed. In it, they decide to use the scene of the crime itself, people that had knowledge of what had transpired here in the past (including the school's principal, its janitor, and a local policeman), and some portions of truth in their otherwise horror-prone plot. Since its low budget they also want the actors to go that "extra mile" as well, having them pick up the extra slots left open by people "quitting the film" as well as staying on location day and night while its shot. Little do they realize that something is there working with them in the dark with them, something that obviously doesn't mind a sequel.

Personally, I enjoyed this movie and I think that other people will enjoy it as well, given the fact that they understand exactly what they are watching. Be warned, however, that it is lacking in many respects and that you have to appreciate the qualities of a good laugh to really enjoy this.