The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia" largely excels in delivering a visually compelling experience with its AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Although the film itself may falter narratively, it manages to captivate from a purely technical perspective. The color grading decisions, including sequences of desaturation during Heidi's visions, do not significantly detract from the overall detail integrity. When the colors are presented naturally, they exhibit a pleasing vibrancy that enhances the visual appeal. The strong contrast contributes to satisfactory shadow details in darker scenes, even as it appears artificially boosted at times. Minor stability issues in camera pans are fleeting and do not pose any major distractions.

Shooting digitally has yielded some standout visual moments, with incredibly sharp imagery and high levels of detail that reveal individual hairs and the intricacies of both foliage and period-appropriate clothing. Facial complexions appear robust with well-defined textures. The color palette is rich and varied, featuring lush primaries and warm secondary hues that radiate off the screen. Black levels are deep and inky, offering robust shadows, while the contrast remains spot-on, providing crisp and clean whites.

However, the intentional use of stylized photography to depict trance-like visions introduces brief periods of degraded visual quality. During these sequences, both contrast and resolution drop significantly, and the overall palette shifts to a monochromatic tone accompanied by digital grain. Despite these intentional aesthetic choices, the Blu-ray's high-definition transfer remains highly impressive overall, showcasing a remarkable balance of clarity and richness in its visual presentation.

The audio presentation of "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia" on Blu-ray is showcased through a well-executed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that, despite being somewhat predictable in its use of sonic tricks, offers a satisfying auditory experience. The immersive quality of the mix stands out, particularly during quieter sequences, like Heidi's explorations in the Georgian woods, where the subtle use of ambient sound creates an atmospheric tension. The fidelity is impressive, ensuring that dialogue, sound effects, and the musical score are all cleanly delivered with a commendable dynamic range.

The sound design employs several discrete atmospherics that effectively widen the soundfield, contributing to a chilling environment. Panning effects are fluid and convincing, with noises seamlessly transitioning across channels, enhancing the spatial audio experience. The dialogue remains clear and precise at all times, centrally anchored to maintain consistency. Noteworthy is the robust low-end response, adding a dimension of depth during moments of intense activity and trance-like visions. While the mix might not consistently reach the heights of full immersion, its meticulous construction for specific scenes is evident, making it a notable example of professional audio engineering.

Ultimately, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides an engaging auditory backdrop that supports the film's narrative ambitions. Its detailed dynamic range and precise imaging ensure a cleanly presented sound experience that is both effective and enjoyable.

The Extras on the Blu-Ray of "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia" provide a mix of informative and entertaining additions that enhance the viewing experience, despite the film's critical reception. The Audio Commentary by Director Tom Elkins, Writer David Coogeshall, and Co-Producer Brad Kessell offers behind-the-scenes insights, albeit with an unintentionally humorous tone as the creators seem blissfully unaware of their film’s shortcomings. The featurette "Seeing Ghosts: The True Story of the Wyricks" is surprisingly compelling, delving into the real-life events that inspired the film. The Deleted Scenes, available with optional commentary, include alternate versions and extensions influenced by early test audience feedback, adding a layer of context and insight into the editing process. Additional extras include brief but amusing Outtakes, and a collection of theatrical trailers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from Director Tom Elkins, Writer David Coogeshall, and Co-Producer Brad Kessell.
• Seeing Ghosts: The True Story of the Wyricks: Interviews with the Wyrick family about their real-life haunting experiences.
• Deleted Scenes: Thirteen excised or extended scenes with optional director commentary.
• Outtakes: Humorous behind-the-scenes moments.
• Theatrical Trailers: Original trailers for both films in the series.

In a rather perplexing move, "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia" presents itself as a sequel while bafflingly setting its tale several states away from Connecticut and bearing no relation to the original film. The title alone is a glaring example of the film's haphazard approach. The narrative follows the Wyrick family—particularly Lisa (Abigail Spencer) and her daughter Heidi (Emily Alyn Lind)—as they move into a rural Georgian home, immediately besieged by spectral entities. While the initial tension is palpable, with an emotionally distressed Lisa encountering a ghostly figure, the plot quickly devolves into pedestrian horror tropes.

Technical execution remains competent but formulaic, heaping clichéd horror elements right from the onset: labored breathing on the soundtrack, sinister quick cuts, and erratically swinging objects meant to evoke dread. The film's scare tactics are predominantly reliant on sudden LFE effects that deliver startle responses without any lasting impact. With little to no character development, the performances feel superficial—Chad Michael Murray's character is particularly mannequin-like, and even seasoned actors like Katee Sackhoff and Cicely Tyson seem wasted in their roles.

Story-wise, the supposed inspiration from the true story of the Wyrick family and the book "The Veil: Heidi Wyrick's Story" only serves as thin scaffolding for overly familiar supernatural tropes. The connection to the Underground Railroad adds an array of convoluted and historically insensitive subplots, while the Underwood family’s spectral saga unfolds predictably with tired horror stereotypes. Ultimately, director Tom Elkins keeps stretching an already tedious narrative toward an overly belabored twist ending, making this film a tiresome watch rather than an engaging horror experience.

"The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia" is a perplexing follow-up that, despite its misleading title, stands as a separate ghost story set in rural Georgia. The film tries to capitalize on the paranormal horror genre but falters with a deficient narrative that lacks genuine scares or compelling plot development. Characterization and originality are markedly absent, and what could have been an engaging concept is mired in a convoluted storyline.

As for the Blu-ray presentation, the technical aspects are commendable. The video quality is excellent, capturing the eerie atmosphere with sharp, clear visuals that enhance the viewing experience. The audio is equally impressive, delivering a well-balanced mix that immerses the audience in the film's uncanny soundscape. However, the included bonus material falls short, offering mostly insubstantial content with only occasional interesting tidbits.

In summary, "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia" suffers from a lack of direction and fails to deliver on its potential as a horror film. Nevertheless, for those interested in high-quality audio and video presentations, this Blu-ray disc performs admirably. While the film itself is forgettable melodrama, its technical merits may still find appreciation among genre enthusiasts.