What’s most brilliant about “Evil Dead II” is the way in which it is essentially a comedy/satire disguised as a blood and guts horror film.
Audio
"Evil Dead II: The Book of the Dead 2" is presented in two English language mixes, a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0. The sound design works very well, especially when the evil travels around, "trying to force its way into our world" it puts the surround capability to the test. Dialogue is a little hard to hear at times, especially during some of the quieter moments. The 5.1 is a pretty stellar mix and there isn´t any real difference between this edition and the THX version. The lack of a DTS mix is something of a letdown considering the first "Evil Dead" Book of the Dead Edition" included such a mix and the lack of the films´ original mono mix is also a bit disappointing. An English language closed caption option is also included.
Extras
There isn´t much difference in this edition than the previous THX version. Included here is the 30 minute documentary "The Gore the Merrier" that features members of the FX crew remembering their work on the film. They show old clips from the film´s production and comment on various aspects of the filming.
The audio commentary is easily one of the most fun commentaries you´ll ever hear on a DVD. The commentary features Raimi, Campbell, Greg Nicotero, and Scott Spiegel. The camaraderie between them all is apparent right away as they dig into each other and share a slew of laughs throughout the commentary. Particularly entertaining is Raimi´s goal of poking fun at Campbell. Consider a line where they discuss Campbell´s ´reverse motion acting´ on a tongue gag that didn´t make the final cut of the film, to which Raimi responds, "That is the worst reverse motion acting I have ever seen."
Also included in the extras is a new mini-doc, "Behind the Screams," narrated by Tom Sullivan. The doc is a bit of a companion piece to "The Gore the Merrier" and is a look at the FX work done on the film, seen through a slide show of still photographs.
Rounding out the extras on the DVD are talent bios in text format, still gallery, few trailers for "Evil Dead", "Man with the Screaming Brain" and "Dead and Breakfast". There is also a game promo for the latest "Evil Dead" game from THQ.
By far the best new extra is the packaging. Much like the "Evil Dead: Book of the Dead Edition" the "Evil Dead II: Book of The Dead 2" comes in a cool replica of the Book of the Dead used in the film. The DVD sits in a slip sleeve on one of the pages at the end of the book that includes a number of graphics in the same design of the film´s version of the book. The packaging, sculpted by Tom Sullivan, includes a sound chip under the right eye that, when pressed, emits a scream.
Final Thoughts
"Evil Dead II: The Book of the Dead 2" is a damn fine release by Anchor Bay. Although the only real improvement is in the video transfer, there isn´t much here for those who already own the THX edition of the film. The packaging is great but this is really only for die hard fans of the film. "Evil Dead II" is a brilliant piece of filmmaking that has become the epitome of cult film worship and deservedly so.
"Evil Dead II: The Book of the Dead 2" is presented in two English language mixes, a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0. The sound design works very well, especially when the evil travels around, "trying to force its way into our world" it puts the surround capability to the test. Dialogue is a little hard to hear at times, especially during some of the quieter moments. The 5.1 is a pretty stellar mix and there isn´t any real difference between this edition and the THX version. The lack of a DTS mix is something of a letdown considering the first "Evil Dead" Book of the Dead Edition" included such a mix and the lack of the films´ original mono mix is also a bit disappointing. An English language closed caption option is also included.
Extras
There isn´t much difference in this edition than the previous THX version. Included here is the 30 minute documentary "The Gore the Merrier" that features members of the FX crew remembering their work on the film. They show old clips from the film´s production and comment on various aspects of the filming.
The audio commentary is easily one of the most fun commentaries you´ll ever hear on a DVD. The commentary features Raimi, Campbell, Greg Nicotero, and Scott Spiegel. The camaraderie between them all is apparent right away as they dig into each other and share a slew of laughs throughout the commentary. Particularly entertaining is Raimi´s goal of poking fun at Campbell. Consider a line where they discuss Campbell´s ´reverse motion acting´ on a tongue gag that didn´t make the final cut of the film, to which Raimi responds, "That is the worst reverse motion acting I have ever seen."
Also included in the extras is a new mini-doc, "Behind the Screams," narrated by Tom Sullivan. The doc is a bit of a companion piece to "The Gore the Merrier" and is a look at the FX work done on the film, seen through a slide show of still photographs.
Rounding out the extras on the DVD are talent bios in text format, still gallery, few trailers for "Evil Dead", "Man with the Screaming Brain" and "Dead and Breakfast". There is also a game promo for the latest "Evil Dead" game from THQ.
By far the best new extra is the packaging. Much like the "Evil Dead: Book of the Dead Edition" the "Evil Dead II: Book of The Dead 2" comes in a cool replica of the Book of the Dead used in the film. The DVD sits in a slip sleeve on one of the pages at the end of the book that includes a number of graphics in the same design of the film´s version of the book. The packaging, sculpted by Tom Sullivan, includes a sound chip under the right eye that, when pressed, emits a scream.
Final Thoughts
"Evil Dead II: The Book of the Dead 2" is a damn fine release by Anchor Bay. Although the only real improvement is in the video transfer, there isn´t much here for those who already own the THX edition of the film. The packaging is great but this is really only for die hard fans of the film. "Evil Dead II" is a brilliant piece of filmmaking that has become the epitome of cult film worship and deservedly so.
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