In continuing with my series of reviews of all things Bruce Campbell being released this week, I’d like to touch upon… “The Man with the Screaming Brain.” Being as Bruce Campbell is the undisputed master of all things B-Movie, this title represents everything a fan could hope for in a file written, directed by and starring the ‘guy everyone knows as Ash.’ (Ash being the character he played through three “Evil Dead” films directed by the great Sam Raimi…) The film was produced by SCi Fi Original Pictures and though it was billed as direct to DVD feature, actually aired on the Network before the actual DVD release. There were even a few theatres that showed the film at midnight, appeasing Campbell’s many fans and creating some much needed marketing buzz. These sold out rather quickly in all instances, espcially in the cases where Campbell himself showed up!

Having proven himself as a “Jack of All Trades” by appearing in a few TV series (oddly enough… one CALLED “Jack of All Trades”), tons of B-Movies, guest-starring in a couple of A-List movies (mostly directed by Raimi), and writing some best-selling books… it just seemed natural that he would have it in him to write and direct a feature film that had more cheese in it than the state of Wisconsin.

“The Man with the Screaming Brain” is indeed… classic Campbell. It stars Campbell as William Cole, a sleazy American industrialist. While traveling in Bulgaria, Cole meets with an untimely end, but is re-animated by transplanting the half of the brain of a KGB operative. The mastermind behind the surgery is Dr Ivan Ivanov (Stacy Keach), mad scientist extraordinaire. It seems he has created a drug that can create pathways between human brains. Aided by his henchman (don’t all mad scientists have henchmen?) Pavel (Ted Raimi), Ivanov seeks to prove he is the maddest scientist of all. And what of William Cole and his Russian stowaway brain? They must set aside their differences, between wrestling for control of the body, in order to seek out their murderer.

Right off the bat I have to tell you “The Man with the Screaming Brain” will not appeal to everyone. You really have to have a taste for cheese ball humor in order to enjoy (and understand) it. This is a movie totally for Bruce Campbell fans, through and through, but even if you have no idea who he is you just might like it if you give yourself in to its madcap wackiness.

Unlike the other Bruce Campbell DVD release this week (“Alien Apocalypse”), this film hits almost all the right marks and Campbell turns in a riotous performance. It’s not quite the brilliance delivered by Steve Martin in “All of Me”, but it is perfect for a movie this silly. Campbell has done some directing before, most notably with episodes of “Xena”, and he’s been in the business enough to have sure eye behind the camera and proves it even further here.

Almost stealing the movie are Stacy Keach and Ted Raimi (brother of Sam). Keach is mostly known for his serious roles over the years, but showed a penchant for comedy in the TV series “Titus”, where he played the protagonist’s overbearing father. He was brilliant in that series, and shows his wacky side here. Raimi has had numerous roles in all of brother Sam’s projects (both on TV and in film) and has always been great as the comic foil. Raimi has a great sense of comedic timing and uses it well in the role of Pavel.

As is usually to be expected from an Anchor Bay DVD release, “The Man with the Screaming Brain” has quite a few extra features sure to please even the most discerning Bruce Campbell fan. The commentary by Campbell and producer David M. Goodman offers up all the sarcastic humor you would expect from Campbell. It is an extremely funny commentary, made even better by the inclusion of some really helpful filmmaking information from the two speakers. I was surprised to learn that this project had been in the making for 18 years, and to hear about all hurdles they faced is quite illuminating. In one of the featurettes, the two even go through the film’s history utilizing a chalkboard as a visual aid. This is a must watch! There is also another Making of Featurette that goes into quite a bit of detail on… well… the making of the film. You’ll also find some storyboard and comic book galleries to while away the time.

As I mentioned, “The Man with the Screaming Brain” is not going to appeal to everyone, but it is an excruciatingly funny film to the right audience.

Directed by: Bruce Campbell
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Antoinette Byron, Stacy Keach
Extras: Audio Commentary with Actor / Director Bruce Campbell and Producer David M. Goodman, Brain Surgeons – Making the Screaming Brain, Neurology 101 – Evolution of the Screaming Brain, Trailer, Behind the Scenes, Bruce Campbell Bio, Storyboard Gallery, Comic Book Gallery
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1) Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 2.0
Studio: Anchor Bay
Release Date: 10/4/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Man with the Screaming Brain a B+.