Open Season 2 Blu-ray Review

"Open Season 2" boasts a stunning 1080p/AVC encode, framed at a full 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The digital transfer ensures a pristine presentation free of film-related artifacts like pops, dirt, or scratches, and devoid of compression or digitally related issues. Colors are vibrantly vivid and well-saturated, lighting up the screen with an impressive gamut. Blacks are deeply inky, while contrast remains consistently sharp without appearing overstated. Detailed textures such as Boog's fur, leaves on trees, and individual blades of grass emerge with remarkable clarity, revealing the care taken in the rendering process.

Despite these strengths, the presentation does encounter some limitations. It lacks the ultra-detailed finesse seen in more recent animated films or comparable Pixar releases. There is a notable separation between foreground and background elements, leading to a somewhat flatter visual experience with less depth and perspective. Additionally, more subtle motions such as waving trees and the nuanced sway of grass in the wind are absent. Nevertheless, the overall visual quality remains high, giving viewers an engaging and visually appealing experience. This Blu-ray transfer showcases strong technical capabilities, capturing a wide color palette and rich textural details effectively despite its minor shortcomings.

The audio presentation of "Open Season 2" on Blu-ray is delivered through a competent 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack proficiently encoded at a 16/48kHz bit and sample rate. While it may not exhibit the explosive dynamics and room-shaking low-frequency effects seen in some contemporary animated films, it does offer clear and authoritative dialogue. The mix ensures every spoken word is distinctly audible and accurately directional, tracking character movements with impressive precision across the front channels.

The soundstage primarily focuses on the front channels, supported by discreet ambient effects from the surrounds that occasionally broaden the sonic field. Though the low-frequency detail is present, it remains conservative, providing bass that subtly enhances the main channels without overpowering them. The score by Ramin Djawadi, a notable improvement over the original Paul Westerberg composition, is skillfully integrated into the surround channels, creating an immersive experience without being overpowering.

Overall, the audio track maintains a balance suitable for the genre, offering a stable and clean auditory experience without heavily taxing speaker systems. Dialog fidelity and subtle ambient cues benefit from a quieter listening environment, maximizing the intricate details captured in this well-rounded yet unassuming soundtrack.

The Blu-ray extras for "Open Season 2" provide a robust and entertaining addition to the film experience, delivering both fun and insightful content. The disc includes an interactive game, "Save Mr. Weenie," designed to engage viewers through their BD player's remote control. "Going Wild with the Voice Cast" offers an informative behind-the-scenes look at the voice actors and filmmakers. The "How to Draw Elliott, Boog, and Fifi" featurette, guided by storyboard artist Sean Mullen, is particularly valuable for animation enthusiasts. Three deleted scenes provide additional context and humor, showcased in storyboard format. A nostalgic music video of “Who Let the Dogs Out” by The Baha Men adds a delightful touch. Complementing these features are HD previews and BD-Live capability for downloading extra content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Save Mr. Weenie Game: Interactive feature using your BD player's remote control.
• Going Wild! With the Voice Cast: Cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• How to Draw Elliott, Boog, and Fifi: Animation tutorial with storyboard artist Sean Mullen.
• Deleted Scenes: Three storyboard-format scenes.
• Music Video: “Who Let the Dogs Out” by The Baha Men: A montage set to the popular song.
• BD Previews: Six high-definition previews.
• BD-Live Enabled: Access additional downloadable content.

In "Open Season 2," Boog and Elliot return, along with a vibrant cast of woodland friends, for an adventure teeming with humor and heart. After Elliot falls in love with Giselle, the story takes a turn when their friend Mr. Weenie is kidnapped by a group of pampered pets led by a nefarious toy poodle, Fifi. The plot weaves through a rescue mission that pits the wild animals against the domesticated pets, creating a narrative rich with comedic moments and suspense. The absence of original voice actors Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher is deftly managed with Mike Epps and Joel McHale stepping in, maintaining continuity and delivering performances nearly indistinguishable from their predecessors.

This direct-to-video sequel picks up one year after the original, with Giselle and Elliot’s wedding interrupted by Mr. Weenie's abduction. The storyline is crisp and dynamic, enhanced by the shorter runtime, which streamlines the narrative without sacrificing depth or charm. Although aimed primarily at a younger audience, the film injects layers of adult humor akin to classic animations like Bugs Bunny, ensuring that it appeals to older viewers as well. The plot's escalation from a simple rescue mission to a full-fledged battle between wild animals and pets is executed with engaging visual flair and witty dialogue. For viewers unfamiliar with the original, it’s advisable to watch the first installment to fully appreciate the continuity and character development in this sequel.

In essence, "Open Season 2" successfully builds on its predecessor's foundation, blending humor, action, and emotional beats into a cohesive package. The seamless voice replacements enhance the film's texture, making it both a worthy stand-alone feature and an enjoyable continuation for fans of the original narrative.

"Open Season 2" stands as an admirable sequel that effectively captures the charm of the original. The voice cast replacements, notably Mike Epps and Joel McHale, provide an upgrade with performances that surpass those of Ashton Kutcher and Martin Lawrence. Visually, the Blu-ray transfer is excellent, boasting sharp, vibrant, and detail-rich images that enhance the viewing experience. The audio quality matches the visual clarity, delivering a well-balanced sound stage that complements the on-screen action seamlessly.

The film itself is a delightful blend of humor and adventure suitable for all ages, ensuring that it's not only children who are entertained but adults as well. Although it did not receive a theatrical release, "Open Season 2" does not lack in quality, providing a satisfying narrative enriched by engaging character dynamics. The Blu-ray version includes several bonus features that add value for fans and collectors alike.

In conclusion, "Open Season 2" is a commendable sequel that is worth investing time in. It successfully builds upon its predecessor with enhanced performances and technical improvements. Whether you are a returning fan or new to the franchise, this Blu-ray offers an enjoyable and high-quality experience for the entire family. Highly recommended.