Creepshow 2 Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Creepshow 2" on 4K UHD Blu-ray by Image Entertainment garners a mixed reception, striking a balance between underwhelming execution and moments that do justice to the film's original atmospheric intent. Observations highlight that the source used for the transfer seems distanced from the original camera negatives, evident from the compromised resolution and clarity, particularly noticeable in longer shots. The presence of minor damage such as speckles and scratches further detracts from the viewing experience. Despite this, the video does exhibit a palette of nicely saturated colors which, while not reaching the vividness seen in its predecessor, manages to imbue some scenes with a degree of vibrancy. The film's intentional darkness in segments like The Hitch-hiker is expected but is contrastingly problematic in sequences that unfold in brighter settings, where details often become difficult to discern due to the image’s flatness and dulled contrast.

The technical specifics of the encode reveal a somewhat coarse grain structure that, although natural and free from digital manipulation, suggests that the source might have been a print or an interpositive rather than the original negatives. This is especially evident in sections of the movie that employ optical dupes and animation, where grain becomes more pronounced. Despite these challenges, an average bitrate of 27.98 Mbps was employed to minimize potential compression artifacts, indicating attempts to preserve as much quality as possible within the constraints of the source material utilized.

In contrast, detailing and clarity do not consistently impress across the board, with many parts of the film appearing softer than desired. This softness notwithstanding, the video transfer has its redeeming aspects, chiefly its color rendition which showcases bold primaries and natural skin tones against a backdrop of generally stable blacks. However, shadow detail occasionally suffers, leading to murky dark scenes. While contrast levels are commendably balanced overall—minus some overly bright highlights—the presentation struggles to encapsulate the full visual potential of "Creepshow 2", resulting in a final product that can be categorized as passable yet lacking in comparison to contemporary expectations for 4K UHD Blu-ray presentations.

The audio presentation of "Creepshow 2" on 4K UHD Blu-ray has garnered attention for its transition from the original mono soundtrack to a more ambitious DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound mix. Despite this upgrade, the audio experience remains predominantly front-loaded, with limited utilization of the surround channels, offering marginal spatial differentiation. The transition has notably enhanced clarity and dynamic range, making the atmospheric compositions by Les Reed, augmented by Rick Wakeman, a highlight of the auditory experience. The soundtrack's remastering shines through in these areas, presenting a clean, well-defined mid-range that faithfully reproduces the intricacies of the musical score, albeit within a soundstage that could have benefitted from greater dimensional breadth and immersive sound effects.

Contrary to expectations that a 5.1 mix might extensively exploit the surround channels for a more enveloping horror atmosphere, the execution is restrained, focusing on front-channel delivery with sporadic rear activity. Nonetheless, the stereo soundtrack variant shows a commendable effort in creating an expansive and engaging auditory space. The music spreads well across the stereo field, contributing significantly to the ambiance without overshadowing dialogues, which remain crisp and intelligible at the forefront. While the bass response does not delve into deep territories, it maintains enough presence to complement the film's mood without overwhelming.

However, it's worth noting an oversight related to accessibility features; despite packaging indications, the absence of English SDH subtitles on the disc stands out as a missed opportunity to enhance viewer accessibility. In conclusion, while the upgraded audio track presents undeniable improvements in clarity and range, offering a cleaner and more detailed listening experience, it falls short of fully utilizing the capabilities of a 5.1 setup to immerse the audience further into the film's eerie atmosphere.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Creepshow 2" presents a modest assortment of extras, largely aligning with the offerings from Anchor Bay's past editions rather than expanding upon them. The inclusion of commentary by director Gornick, moderated by Perry Martin, remains a highlight, providing insightful behind-the-scenes information. Fans will appreciate the "Nightmares in Foam Rubber" documentary, detailing the movie's special effects work by Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero. Additionally, storyboard art offers a glimpse into the film's visual planning stages. Unfortunately, this release lacks any new or substantial additions, adhering closely to the extras provided in previous editions, such as the trailer and a behind-the-scenes still gallery, without venturing beyond these established materials. The screenplay accessible via DVD-ROM in earlier versions is noteworthy, though its value may be diminished by the lack of updates or fresh content in this re-issue.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Gornick: Moderated by Perry Martin.
• Nightmares in Foam Rubber: Documentary featuring Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero.
• Storyboard Art: A collection of visual planning illustrations.
• Trailer: Promotional material for the film.
• Behind-the-Scenes Still Gallery: A selection of production photographs.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Creepshow 2" delivers a mixed bag that takes viewers on a nostalgic ride back to the late '80s, under the helm of George A. Romero and Stephen King's creative partnership. Directed by Michael Gornick, the sequel, born from the moderate success of its predecessor, attempts to recapture the eerie charm and wit with its anthology format. However, it encounters certain shortcomings primarily due to a less generous budget and Gornick's lack of Romero's distinctive visual and editorial flair. Nevertheless, the devotion of Stephen King in supplying the stories and Romero's scriptwriting keeps the sequel afloat, tapping into the loyalty of its established fanbase despite its struggles with production and narrative execution.

Technically, the release history of "Creepshow 2" on home video is as convoluted as some of its plot lines, transitioning between different distributors from Image Entertainment to Anchor Bay and back. This Blu-ray edition sees it devoid of the extras that accompanied previous releases, marking a somewhat barebones arrival to 4K UHD but allowing a sharper focus on the film itself. The visual upgrade does justice to the anthology's second outing, enhancing the experience of its unique stories from the faithfully resurrected wooden Indian in "Old Chief Woodn’head," the dread-inducing, blob-like entity in "The Raft," to the darkly humorous revenge tale of "The Hitch-hiker." Each narrative, though varying in impact, benefits from the enhanced clarity and detail, presenting both the charm and flaws of the film with greater fidelity.

On a narrative level, "Creepshow 2" ventures into horror comedy with an ensemble of stories that intertwine horror tropes with a touch of dark humor. Despite lacking the biting edge and inventive grotesqueness of its forerunner, this sequel manages to stand its ground through a blend of suspense, campy horror elements, and a dose of satire aimed at 1950s horror comics. While it might not reach the iconic status or cult following commanded by the original "Creepshow," it serves as a noteworthy entry for fans of Romero and King, as well as those with an appreciation for horror anthologies. The technical delivery on 4K UHD accentuates its visual and storytelling elements, albeit in a presentation that may leave enthusiasts longing for more substantial extras and insights into its creation.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Creepshow 2" brings a classic horror anthology back into the spotlight, though it doesn't quite escape the shadow of its predecessor or rival the craftsmanship seen in "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie." Despite these comparisons, it undeniably retains a charm, thanks to compelling performances from seasoned actors such as George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour. The visual and audio restoration efforts are commendable, given the limitations of the source material provided to Image Entertainment. While the film itself may not reach new heights of horror excellence, it serves as a nostalgic trip for enthusiasts who hold a fondness for this specific era of horror cinema.

The Blu-ray's technical aspects show a mostly successful picture quality upgrade that likely represents the best version of the film available to date, though it falls short of being a definitive restoration. The audio enhancement outpaces the visual improvements slightly, offering a clearer and more immersive listening experience that complements the film's eerie ambiance and suspenseful moments. Unfortunately, the package is somewhat marred by a sparse selection of bonus content, which might leave die-hard fans yearning for more behind-the-scenes insights and retrospectives on the film's impact and legacy.

In conclusion, while "Creepshow 2" on 4K UHD Blu-ray might not captivate newcomers or satisfy purists seeking a pristine archival quality release, its appeal lies in its enhanced accessibility to a beloved, albeit flawed, piece of horror anthology history. The effort put into its audio-visual presentation is appreciable, though the absence of substantial extras leaves a bit to be desired. Ultimately, this release is best recommended for devoted fans eager to revisit the anthology's uniquely eerie tales with the best technical quality currently available.