Oh, God! Book II Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Oh, God! Book II" offers a respectable rendition of the film, despite being sourced from what appears to be an older master. Displayed in the AVC encoded format with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the image exhibits a softer texture, yet manages to deliver commendable detail, particularly noticeable in facial features and certain scenes depicting Los Angeles. While the overall sharpness is moderate, allowing for finer elements like individual hair strands to be discerned in closer shots, it does fall short of contemporary standards in terms of resolution and clarity.

Color reproduction is satisfactory, with satisfying saturation of primary colors, especially the vibrant reds and blues evident in restaurant scenes and costumes. Although flesh tones fluctuate occasionally with an overly ruddy appearance, they remain largely natural. The contrast appears improved compared to its predecessor, delivering adequate shadowing to enhance depth and dimension across scenes. The source material is preserved well, boasting a clean print with intact grain that maintains the film’s original texture without appearing overly refined by modern digital tools.

Each Blu-ray in the series is allocated its own disc, a decision that benefits video quality by allowing the preserved grain to breathe without compression artifacts. Though not cutting-edge, the overall video presentation succeeds in maintaining the film’s authentic look and feel, offering a visual experience consistent with its era while sidestepping significant deterioration or obsolescence.

The audio presentation of "Oh, God! Book II" via its 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio mix is deliberate in design, prioritizing clarity and functionality over immersive soundscapes. Dialogue exchanges remarkably preserve clarity, with an emphasis on emotional nuance—capturing the gentle cadence of Louanne's youthful voice as well as the seasoned tone of Burns. The scoring is accurately rendered, with instrumentation remaining crisp and balanced, contributing to the film's overall auditory aesthetic.

However, the age of the recording is somewhat apparent. Instances of dialogue present a degree of fogginess, hinting at its vintage nature. A subtle static undercurrent exists, though it doesn't significantly detract from the listening experience. The audio mix ensures that the moderate score benefits from a smooth low-end, maintaining fidelity and cohesion throughout. While the mix may not offer the depth expected in newer audio formats like Dolby Atmos, it remains faithful and serviceable to its original source material.

The Blu Ray extras for "Oh, God! Book II" deliver a compelling behind-the-scenes exploration, showcasing detailed film production insights. Dr. Donna Bowman’s commentary is particularly noteworthy, blending film critique with theological perspective, offering depth to the cinematic analysis. The highlight is an enlightening interview with assistant director Tom Lofaro, who provides an engaging account of his role, responsibilities, and memorable moments working with director Gilbert Cates and the legendary George Burns. Lofaro shares anecdotes from the production process, including the creation of key scenes and the overall positive shooting experience. The collection is rounded off with nostalgic promotional materials, providing a sense of the film’s era. These extras enrich the Blu Ray significantly, offering both a retrospective and technical look at the film's creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Features film critic and theologian Dr. Donna Bowman.
• The Gospel According to Tom: Interview with assistant director Tom Lofaro.
• Radio Spots: Four commercials for "Oh, God! Book II".
• Teaser Trailer: Promotional material for the film.

"Oh, God! Book II" attempts to replicate the charm and whimsy of its predecessor but diverges significantly in tone. The film replaces John Denver's character with Tracy, a curious and bold 11-year-old, now tasked by George Burns's wisecracking deity to promote faith through a grassroots campaign. The intended humor and upliftment of such a young protagonist interacting with God skew towards an unexpectedly somber narrative. Director Gilbert Cates presents a curious blend of earnestness and ominous undertones as Tracy grapples with perceptions of madness in a society reluctant to accept her divine mission. This sequel feels more akin to a cautionary tale about modern skepticism than a light-hearted comedy about spirituality.

The creativity and storytelling direction suggest a satirical aim, highlighting the encroaching commercialization of spirituality, as seen in the "Think God!" advertising campaign rooted in consumer culture. This marketing angle parallels critiques of more recent faith-based films, albeit less aggressively. Despite Louanne's spirited performance as Tracy and Burns's seasoned delivery, the film struggles to balance its comedic and serious aspects. The screenplay's attempt to address theological dilemmas, such as why suffering persists despite divine presence, results in a heavy-handed execution lacking comedic relief and clarity.

In essence, "Oh, God! Book II" grapples with substantial themes yet falls into didacticism rather than provocation or insight. Its satirical critique of religious commercialization feels ironic given the film's own pervasive message-driven approach. The dialogue around spiritual belief lacks inclusivity and fails to resonate with wider beliefs, diminishing its impact and memorability. Despite promising elements and continuity in premise, the film achieves neither the charm nor the intrigue of its predecessor, leaving audiences with a disjointed narrative struggling to justify its divine intervention within a complex societal context.

"Oh, God! Book II" on Blu-ray offers a nostalgic revisit to the comedic charm and heavenly themes of its predecessor, albeit with less innovative execution. The film follows a similar narrative path to the original "Oh, God!" but falls short of recapturing its unique whimsical essence. By replacing the adult protagonist Jerry with a child character, Tracy, the sequel inadvertently introduces an eerie undertone that diminishes its intended uplifting message about faith and joy. Despite this, the release managed a respectable box office presence as the 48th highest grossing film of 1980.

The Blu-ray edition maintains acceptable technical standards with solid picture quality and sound, though it does not enhance the viewing experience beyond the original's limitations. The film's presentation on Blu-ray is clean, handling colors and contrast adequately, yet it doesn’t leverage the high-definition format to its fullest capacity. This is especially noticeable in scenes that rely on visual effects which appear dated by contemporary standards. The sound mix is competent, faithfully reproducing the period-specific dialogue and soundtrack without significant enhancements.

In conclusion, "Oh, God! Book II" on Blu-ray serves as a comfortable retread for fans of the original while failing to deliver the creative spark that made its predecessor more compelling. Its execution is uneven, with changes in character dynamics that appear more awkward than endearing. While it may appeal to those with fond memories of the era or a specific inclination towards light-hearted religious-themed comedy, the sequel does not significantly expand or enrich the fabric of the "Oh, God!" narrative. Therefore, it may hold more value as a nostalgic piece than as an exemplary cinematic offering in its genre.