Rating: 
Summary: Not quite as good as the original
Review: The beauty of the original Dr. Phibes movie was that while the plot was fantastic and Phibe's schemes convoluted and almost impossible to pull off, there was always the sense that given a driven and malignant enough intelligence they could (emphasis on could) have happened. In other words in real life there could have been Dr. Phibes-like murders. In the second Phibes film, all pretense of reality is stripped away and the fantastic is embraced. The plot being that Phibes is racing against Robert Quarry's Biederbeck to locate the river of life in order to revive his long dead (yet remarkably perserved) wife, Regina. Whereas in the original, Phibes is merely out to avenge her 'murder' by killing the operating team that tried to save Regina's life. This is not to say this makes for a bad film, it just seems a little diminished when weighed against the original. Just how likely is that a man who can figure out how to survive years entombed with embalming fluid in his veins could not save his wife's life? And what exactly is Phibe's relationship with the conveinently ressurected Vulnavia? How is it that Phibe's tomb was never discovered but his safe was found and the house above him was completly leveled?That being said, Dr. Phibes Rises Again is one heck of a fun, twisted movie to watch. Vincent Price is again at his campiest and the retro/deco sets are glorious to behold. Even the Egyptian sets are gorgeous and the outrageous props (like the elaborate tuba Phibes carts all the way to Egypt or his standard automated musicians) just add to the outlandish fun. A number of the character actors from the original make appearances in this second installment including the dogged Inspector Trout and his bewildered Scottland Yard superior. Terry Thomas makes another cameo as a ocean liner booking agent (vs. his eventually bloodless Dr. Longstreet) and there is a wonderfull small appearance by Peter Cushing as an ocean liner captain. Robert Quarry as Phibe's nemesis is as fun to watch as Price himself. Biederbeck's callous and casual egotism is almost as dehumanizing as Phibe's disregard for all those who get in his way (and many who don't). Phibe's dispatching of his victims is as vicious and mean spirited as in the original. His murder of Biederbeck's mute manservant is particularly innovative. All in all this is a horror movie that is great fun not overly gory and outshines most of the horror films that followed it. There are plenty of humorous moments in the movie (most at the expense of the Scotland Yard detectives) to break up Phibe's sadistic scenes. The plot is somewhat plodding but lets be honest you don't watch Vincent Price horror films for Oscar quality plot elements (though the Phibes' plots are arguably more complex than say, Titanic's). You watch to see Price the horror master at work and he certainly earned his keep on this film.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sequel That Gets It Right!
Review: The original "Dr. Phibes" movie was the best role of Vincent Price's career, in my opinion. The vague ending of the original left the door wide open for this sequel that brings a unique life of its' own. If you liked the first one, you will like this one. This isn't the type of "horror" movie for the "Freddie" and "Jason" set. It does require thinking, but you will not be disappointed in this film. Have fun with it!
Rating:
Summary: A Sequel That Gets It Right!
Review: The original "Dr. Phibes" movie was the best role of Vincent Price's career, in my opinion. The vague ending of the original left the door wide open for this sequel that brings a unique life of its' own. If you liked the first one, you will like this one. This isn't the type of "horror" movie for the "Freddie" and "Jason" set. It does require thinking, but you will not be disappointed in this film. Have fun with it!
Rating: 
Summary: Phibes is back, but not necessarily better than ever
Review: This fun follow-up to the first Phibes film tries very hard and is entertaining, but doesn't quite deliver the same goods as the first film. In The Abominable Dr. Phibes, much of what makes the film so compelling is its beautifully atmospheric cinematography, set-dressing, costumes, and overall mood, which ranges from the creepy to the hilarious to the exotic. The sequel doesn't evoke the same strength of mood, which is what makes the first film eminently viewable, even during the stretches that contain little dialogue or action. The strength of the former film also lies in its witty storyline, which lends it a touch of suspense (if you missed the movie description, the story consists of an angry Dr. Phibes carrying out his revenge based upon the Egyptian Plagues found in the book of Exodus). The audience is asking itself questions like, "A plague of frogs? How's he going to carry out this next one?," only to be surprised at the witty solution that the Dr. cooks up. The sequel doesn't doesn't have as strong a formula undergirding its plot-line. All of that said, it is an entertaining movie with several strengths... the best part being Vincent Price, himself, and another chance to see the Phibes character brought to life in all its wonderful eccentricity. The Egyptian setting is also a nice idea, which results in some attractive props and sets. The finale is strong. The film introduces an interesting dynamic in that we have the handsome hero pursuing Phibes, and yet we still are rooting for the villanous, anti-hero Doctor all the way. Unfortunately, like the first film's bat-on-a-string blooper, this film features a painfully noticeable shot of a "mechanical snake" - the problem being that we get a clear close up of the scotch-tape that was used to attach the prop to a live snake! It's hard to believe that this made it into the final cut. Because these films are black comedies, tongue-in-cheek spoofs on the horror genre, the subject matter is a lot more palatable than it would otherwise be. Unlike a horror film, the film is played for laughs and we find that we're not really watching it to see something violent, but for Price's campy schtick. The requisite killings are so mild and muted anyway that they shouldn't be a problem for most people. Long story short: Watch the first film. If you really like it, then you'll enjoy this one, too. On a technical note, the DVD transfer doesn't seem as good as the first film's, which was impressive.
Rating:
Summary: Price at his horrible best.
Review: This is possibly the best true movie sequel ever. I found this at a Hollywood Video after hearing about Abominable from friends and purchasing it from amazon. Rises Again is as amazing as the first installment. Phibes in Egypt . . . What more needs to be said?
Rating:
Summary: An excellant sequel!
Review: This is Vincent Price at his best. Though not quite as good as "The Abominable Dr. Phibes", this a very good sequel. A Vincent Price collection would be incomplete without it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellant sequel!
Review: This is Vincent Price at his best. Though not quite as good as "The Abominable Dr. Phibes", this a very good sequel. A Vincent Price collection would be incomplete without it.
Rating:
Summary: In De-Nile of Death
Review: This movie is true to formula for the most successful sequels: it's exactly the same, but completely different. Egyptologist Dr. Beiderbeck has stolen a uniquely rare map from the ruins of the late Dr. Anton Phibes' palatial estate, with which he intends to locate the waterway of Osiris in Egypt's Valley of the Kings and obtain the elixir of eternal life. The undead Dr. Phibes revives by a mechanism of his own brilliant devise, and with the assistance of his beautiful mute servant, Vulnavia, follows the unlucky Dr. Beiderbeck's party to the land of the pyramids, for a little murder and mayhem - Phibes is sorely ticked, needing the elixir himself for the resurrection of his beloved dead wife, Regina, and doesn't take kindly to amateur interlopers interfering with his plans. The production is cheaper than its predecessor, but no less enjoyable. The sets and props are obviously less expensive, the colors more washed-out. The first film is more straightforward in its horror, where the sequel is generally more campy in its gruesome killings. Phibes abandons any particular pattern to his slayings, but sticks for the most part to a sort of "local color" motif - hawks, scorpions, sandstorms and the like. As in the original, Phibes comes off as an effective anti-hero because his adversary is a tyrannical cad, and his victims are almost all greedy, treacherous flunkies of Beiderbeck's - aside from which, he shows some nobility in seeking eternal life not for himself, but for his dearly departed beloved. The cast is good. Robert Quarry is the venal Beiderbeck, with the lovely Fiona Lewis as his spoiled but oddly kind of likeable girlfriend. Hugh Griffith and Terry Thomas return, in different cameo roles, and Caroline Munro is back as Phibes' ultimately passive love-interest. The very Olivia Newton John-ish Valli Kemp replaces Virginia North as Vulnavia - North was pregnant at the time the movie was in production - but, if anything, is more beautiful, though not quite as sophisticatedly elegant. Maybe not better the second time around, but at least as good, and well worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: In De-Nile of Death
Review: This movie is true to formula for the most successful sequels: it's exactly the same, but completely different. Egyptologist Dr. Beiderbeck has stolen a uniquely rare map from the ruins of the late Dr. Anton Phibes' palatial estate, with which he intends to locate the waterway of Osiris in Egypt's Valley of the Kings and obtain the elixir of eternal life. The undead Dr. Phibes revives by a mechanism of his own brilliant devise, and with the assistance of his beautiful mute servant, Vulnavia, follows the unlucky Dr. Beiderbeck's party to the land of the pyramids, for a little murder and mayhem - Phibes is sorely ticked, needing the elixir himself for the resurrection of his beloved dead wife, Regina, and doesn't take kindly to amateur interlopers interfering with his plans. The production is cheaper than its predecessor, but no less enjoyable. The sets and props are obviously less expensive, the colors more washed-out. The first film is more straightforward in its horror, where the sequel is generally more campy in its gruesome killings. Phibes abandons any particular pattern to his slayings, but sticks for the most part to a sort of "local color" motif - hawks, scorpions, sandstorms and the like. As in the original, Phibes comes off as an effective anti-hero because his adversary is a tyrannical cad, and his victims are almost all greedy, treacherous flunkies of Beiderbeck's - aside from which, he shows some nobility in seeking eternal life not for himself, but for his dearly departed beloved. The cast is good. Robert Quarry is the venal Beiderbeck, with the lovely Fiona Lewis as his spoiled but oddly kind of likeable girlfriend. Hugh Griffith and Terry Thomas return, in different cameo roles, and Caroline Munro is back as Phibes' ultimately passive love-interest. The very Olivia Newton John-ish Valli Kemp replaces Virginia North as Vulnavia - North was pregnant at the time the movie was in production - but, if anything, is more beautiful, though not quite as sophisticatedly elegant. Maybe not better the second time around, but at least as good, and well worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: Badder and better
Review: Unlike Vincent Price's the Fly and Dr. Goldfoot, this time the second one is better. The deformed and demented doctor is back to try and revive his beloved wife (Caroline Munro in an uncredited, non-speaking role). Instead of the revenge plot from the first film, this one has Phibes in a race with Biederbeck (Robert Quarry) to see who can find way to the river of life. This dark comedy is just a little better than the first due to a more interesting plot and a stronger supporting cast, although Peter Cushing only has a couple of lines and is still billed third. Price seems to really enjoy himself in the Phibes role and Robert Quarry is a very worthy advisary. In the late 60's -early 70's, Vincent Price did some really weak films like Scream and Scream again, the Oblong box and Cry of the Banshee that gave him top billing but gave him very little to do. So, it was great that he got to revive his horror career by doing some fine films like the the two Dr. Phibes films and Theater of Blood.
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