Return of the Living Dead II Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Return of the Living Dead II" is based on a new 2K scan from the interpositive, encoded in AVC with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The image retains a filmic grain structure, ensuring a visually authentic experience that reflects the original low-budget production. While the picture is softly shot with occasional focus issues, it showcases appreciable detail, particularly vivid in the absurdly gory makeup and the period-specific costumes. Locations provide notable depth and definition, with stable colors contributing to the oddly warm and digestible tone of the horror narrative. The greenish faces of the undead contrast well against pinker human complexions, maintaining satisfactory skintones throughout.

In terms of visual quality, the presentation shines with a nicely-detailed 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode. Every fine line and stitching in costumes is revealed with lifelike textures in close-ups. Primary colors, especially reds and greens, appear surprisingly vibrant and animated, while secondary hues add dynamism to the images. Though contrast improvement brings crisp and radiant whites, it tends to fall on the lower end of the grayscale, resulting in a somewhat flat image at times. Nighttime sequences boast inky-rich, full-bodied black levels, with excellent shadow detailing, enhancing the viewing experience, even though poorly-lit interiors slightly reduce clarity.

This Blu-ray transfer constitutes a significant upgrade over previous DVD releases, offering the best visual quality seen so far. The organic grain structure combined with a sturdy color palette delivers solid blacks and even skin tones. Instances of film artifacts such as scratches or speckling are minimal to nonexistent, signifying meticulous restoration work. This reviewer, among other enthusiasts like Robert A. Harris, recognizes this as a superb home video treatment that elevates the film's visual standards considerably. Fans will surely appreciate this fantastic enhancement.

The audio presentation of "Return of the Living Dead II" on Blu-ray offers a gratifying listening experience through its 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio stereo track. The mix maintains a broad spatial presence that faithfully represents the original design, making off-screen background activity, such as distant zombie moans and soldier chatter, both discrete and convincing. The mid-range showcases surprising dynamism, which provides the action sequences with distinct clarity and detail, although the rocking song selection doesn’t significantly benefit from the mix likely due to the original design. Sound effects are robust with appreciable depth, and dialogue exchanges remain clear and precise throughout the film, capturing the film's comedic elements effectively.

Additionally, the Blu-ray includes an alternate 2.0 Dolby Digital track from the previous Warner Bros. DVD for completists. However, the original DTS-HD track is the preferred option due to its superior clarity and minimal interference from hiss, crackling, or pop-outs. The soundtrack selections contribute a deeper rhythm, while Robinson’s score is delivered with solid fidelity. Optional English SDH subtitles are also provided. This clean and crisp track provides an engaging audio experience, subtly enhancing the film’s atmosphere with features like Dolby Surround or DTS: Neural:X up-mixing functionality, which helps extend ambiance into overheads and surrounds, despite low bass not being particularly impressive.

In summary, the audio package for "Return of the Living Dead II" expertly preserves and presents its original sonic elements while providing an enriched auditory experience through modern enhancements. This makes it a compelling option for both new viewers and longtime fans.

The Blu-ray extras for "Return of the Living Dead II" are extensive and provide a thorough exploration of the film's production. It includes three audio commentaries featuring actress Suzanne Snyder, actor Gary Smart, filmmaker Christopher Griffiths, writer/director Ken Wiederhorn, and actor Thor Van Lingen. The supplements offer detailed discussions on practical effects, the filmmaking process, and the music score, with special standout segments highlighting makeup artist Kenny Meyers’ insights and Wiederhorn’s candid reflections on his experience directing the film. There are also several vintage and newly recorded interviews and featurettes, along with archival promotional material, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers, TV spots, and still galleries, presenting a comprehensive look at the film’s creation and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Audio Track: Provides the DVD mix of the movie.
• Audio Commentaries (3): Featuring Suzanne Snyder, Gary Smart with Christopher Griffiths, and Ken Wiederhorn with Thor Van Lingen.
• Back to the Dead: Makeup artists discuss practical effects and zombie creations.
• The Laughing Dead: Ken Wiederhorn on his career and directing the sequel.
• Undead Melodies: Interview with composer J. Peter Robinson.
• Troy Fromin Interview: Brief chat with the actor known as the pot-smoking Army driver.
• They Won't Stay Dead: Featurette with cast and crew recalling their experiences.
• Live from the Set: 1988 news clip from the set.
• Vintage Interviews: EPK clips presented without commentary.
• Behind the Scenes: B-roll footage showcasing costuming and makeup effects.
• Still Galleries: Special effects makeup and promotional materials.
• T.V. Spots: Four marketing approaches for Part II.
• Teaser Trailer and Theatrical Trailer.

Director Ken Wiederhorn's 1988 sequel, "Return of the Living Dead Part II," takes a significant tonal shift from Dan O'Bannon's 1985 original. Instead of maintaining the same level of gritty, punk-infused horror-comedy, Part II veers sharply into slapstick territory. The plot centers around an Army mishap that releases Trioxin gas in suburban America, reanimating the dead. Local kids, led by Jesse (Michael Kenworthy), try to alert authorities but fail as zombies begin their brains-obsessed rampage. The ensemble cast, including returnees Thom Mathews and James Karen, along with new faces like Dana Ashbrook and Marsha Dietlein, must navigate this absurdly comedic apocalypse.

Wiederhorn’s approach is largely aimed at comedy, downplaying the horror elements present in the first film. The shift to suburban settings and a focus on juvenile protagonists further diminishes the intensity, leaning towards a PG-13 atmosphere despite the R-rating. The makeup effects, while impressive in some sequences—like a zombie torn in half still on the prowl—are often directed towards humor rather than scares. The most memorable zombies include a parodic Michael Jackson look-alike and a talking severed head, highlighting the focus on gags over gore.

Technically, the film showcases stark cinematography by Robert Elswit and succeeds in makeup effects by Kenny Myers. The score by J. Peter Robinson contributes a solid ambiance with contributions from artists such as Anthrax and Mantronix. Performances are uneven: while Kenworthy is an engaging lead and Karen and Mathews deliver humorous meta-commentary on their reprised roles, the broad humor sometimes falls flat. Despite its mixed reception and commercial failure, "Return of the Living Dead Part II" has carved out a cult niche, remembered for its quirky blend of comedy and horror.

"Return of the Living Dead II" on Blu-ray showcases Scream Factory's meticulous dedication to resurrecting fan favorites in high definition. Despite its reputation as an inferior sequel to the original 1985 classic, this film still finds its moments of brilliance, particularly when director Ken Wiederhorn steps back, allowing the dark humor and anarchy of the living dead to take center stage. The movie doesn't quite capture the imaginative force of its predecessor and often teeters on absurdity, risking a comedic nosedive at any given moment. Yet, its ridiculous gags and slapstick zombie antics make it a unique, if uneven, horror-comedy experience.

Scream Factory has undoubtedly excelled in their transfer of "Return of the Living Dead II," delivering a pristine HD video presentation that breathes new life into the film's visuals. The DTS-HD MA stereo soundtrack is a notable inclusion, preserving the film's original audio landscape and enhancing the viewing experience. Supplementing this stellar A/V quality is a trove of extras that are both entertaining and insightful, contributing to a well-rounded collector's edition that horror aficionados will greatly appreciate. The package is highly recommended for fans of cult classics and those with a keen interest in horror film history.

In conclusion, while "Return of the Living Dead II" may not connect with the same force or imagination as its predecessor, Scream Factory’s comprehensive release provides ample reason for cult enthusiasts and curious viewers alike to revisit this zany installment. Their efforts exemplify a top-notch restoration that maintains the allure of this quirky sequel. This Blu-ray edition is a testament to their commitment to quality, making it an essential addition to any horror collection.