Three days ago, Herschell Gordon Lewis passed away. Earlier that day, I wrote a review for Frank Henenlotter's Bad Biology, and emphasized on this film being his comeback. Hours later, I hear of Herschell's passing. One of the few remaining, and most beloved trailblazers in Horror and Exploitation, as well as one of my own personal B-movie idols. 2016 has taken away so many of our favorites, but this one has hit me the hardest. And as I've pondered Herschell's legendary career, his shortcomings as a filmmaker, and what a nice guy he seemed to be, I also got to thinking about his own comeback in 2002. Perhaps the greatest comeback of them all. As well as the most long awaited, and ultimately satisfying sequel I can think of off the top of my head. Today, I need to talk about Herschell Gordon Lewis. And while doing so, we're going to explore the goriest movie he ever made; Blood Feast 2.

But first, a little backstory leading to this point in time. From the late 50's to the early 70's, Herschell Lewis exploited just about every exploitable taboo in his films. From Nudie Cuties to Hixploitation, the man covered a lot of ground. However, there's only one taboo he will be remembered for. We all know that's the Gore. But not just gore, itself. Herschell along with his producer and friend, David F. Friedman, made history by making the balsy move of being the first people to come out with Horror (for the lack of a better word) films with kill scenes which included graphic violence. Fake looking, yes. But there was just so much of it! Not that they could compare with a Martyrs or a Dead Alive, but this was groundbreaking stuff for 1963. And those who weren't impressed by this, were absolutely outraged and sickened. But tough shit. There were no laws preventing the gore. Nor would there ever be.

Fast forward to 1972. Many films, and several gore films later. Herschell comes out with his goriest and sleaziest film to date; The Gore Gore Girls. And it seems as though Herschell is only getting started. But as it would turn out, this is where he would leave things. Herschell left the Exploitation world behind, and quietly disappeared.

For a while, it may have seemed these films, and maybe even the era itself, had been forgotten. But with the emergence of Something Weird Video, the world would be reminded, and a new generation would be made aware of Herschell Gordon Lewis' contributions and the impact it had. He didn't know it yet, but Herschell had become a legend. Thanks to Mike Vraney, we were treated to dvd releases of most of Herschell's films, packed with extras, usually including some entertaining and informative audio commentary tracks by Herschell himself, telling his story, piece by piece. As something Weird Video breaths new life into the old films, it becomes more and more clear over the years, that making another film might be an option. And in 2002, thirty years after The Gore Gore Girls, Herschell finally gave all the gorehounds what they were craving with a sequel to his most famous film, Blood Feast. However, there would be high expectations for a Blood Feast 2. And rightfully so.

As expected, Blood Feast 2 turned out beautifully. It had the feel of an old Lewis flick from the 60's, but with that certain self-aware comedy that most modern B-movies possess. This was also very much a throwback, before such a thing even existed. Plenty of low brow humor, reminiscent of Troma, at times. Most importantly, Blood Feast 2 is one of the craziest, most gore-drenched films I have ever seen. It's as if all this gore had been waiting with us for those 39 years, only to unload all over us when the time was right. But now, let's talk about the comically thin storyline.

Unlike the original Blood Feast, as well as most of Herschell's gore films, this sequel was not filmed in Florida. To me, that takes away, but isn't unforgivable. I guess the story is supposed to take place in Miami, though. In Blood Feast 2, we meet the grandson of Fuad Ramses, cleverly named Fuad Ramses III. Fuad the 3rd has inherited his grandfather's catering business, which he is now taking over. I have no idea how this works, exactly. Did he actually inherit this place from his father, who originally inherited it from Fuad the 1st, decades ago, or are we supposed to think no time has passed since 1963? If so, they're doing a shitty job of making it look like it's 1963.

So, early on, we can tell where all this is headed, as the paper thin story takes a back seat only to the horrific acting, especially by the guy who plays Fuad the 3rd, who is so wrong for this role, yet so right. Fuad the 3rd is possessed by the same statue as seen in the original, which makes him all sweaty and creepy, and his hair all greasy-looking like grandpa Fuad. so, this otherwise regular guy is now obsessed with Egyptian Goddess, Ishtar, and pleasing her with the feast which must include human body parts. The Egyptian blood feast is about to return to Miami, or whereever.

Most of the "so bad it's good" humor comes from two places. The oblivious cops, and a rather cunty woman named Mrs. Lampley, who's daughter is getting married. The Lampleys come to Fuad the 3rd to cater the reception. Mrs. lampley is a horrible, controlling woman, who you just know is going to get it sooner or later. She probably has the best lines in the movie, though. Meanwhile, Fuad the 3rd is on a killing spree so he can please Ishtar as well as his new clients. Which brings us back to the cops. One, a fat fuck, who constantly feeds his fat face in literally every scene he's in. And the other, a green little gipper who could pass for a junior in highschool. The two of them make asses of themselves as they try to make sense out of all the gore. Never once are they on the same page, as they both suspect Fuad, but at different stages in the movie. Even when evidence stares them right in the face, they still don't get it. Meanwhile, the arrogant Fuad barely even has to try and cover his tracks. Where's Thomas Wood when you need him?

Not often does hype and wait pay off so beautifully. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but this is exactly what such a long-awaited Blood Feast sequel should be like. Ridiculously gory, bad on purpose, which usually doesn't work, but for this, it does. And most of all, Blood Feast 2 is fun from reel to reel. One can tell Herschell held on to some ideas over the years just for this movie. I still haven't herd the audio commentary for this film, and haven't ever heard him speak of it, really, but I can imagine Herschell was satisfied with this film every bit as much as his loyal and patient fanbase.



If Blood Feast 2 had turned out to be Herschell's last film, I don't think many of us would be complaining. However, he didn't stop there. Because in 2009, yet another gore epic was bestowed upon us, with the outrageous satire comedy, The Uh-Oh! Show, starring Joel. D. Wynkoop. And as we speak, his final work, BloodMania, is now in post-production. Herschell Gordon Lewis may be gone. But for his fans, the journey is not quite over. As fun as his modern movies are, they did nothing for his legacy, as it was already cemented decades ago. Although, I will always be grateful that good 'ol H.G. wandered on back to hang with us for a while longer. The Godfather Of Gore will never be forgotten. R.I.P. H.G.L. 7/10