Young Guns II Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Young Guns II" offers a captivated audience a mostly commendable 1080p transfer that, despite its flaws, presents a cinematic journey back to the rugged Old West. The video quality shines in its depiction of natural sceneries and textures, conveying a rich tapestry of the era's rough and tumble environment with a remarkable clarity. Details in the landscape, such as the sprawling grasses, the arid earth beneath the outlaws' boots, and rock formations, are vividly preserved, setting a visually faithful stage for the film's events. Similarly, the authenticity extends to the wardrobe and props, where the minutiae of fraying fabrics and the intricate wear on guns in close-ups are showcased with an impressive definition, bringing an extra layer of realism to the Blu-ray version.

However, perfection eludes this release, with certain shortcomings that might distract the more discerning viewer. While colors are generally well-handled, offering nice saturation especially in skies that provide a stark contrast to the earthy tones dominating the screen, the transfer suffers from occasional technical drawbacks. Mild flickering and slightly elevated black levels mar some scenes, particularly noticeable in the darker segments of the movie such as meetings under the cloak of night or dimly lit interiors. Additionally, viewers might spot sporadic compression artifacts and a handful of speckles throughout the feature. These issues, although not overwhelming, detract from what is largely a solid video presentation.

Despite these hiccups, the overall quality of "Young Guns II" on Blu-ray is commendable. Sony's efforts have rendered a presentation that is overwhelmingly positive, balancing its few flaws with a bevy of visual strengths that make it a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike. The grain structure, detail fidelity, and color handling all contribute to a viewing experience that feels both authentic and filmic, aptly paying homage to this narrative set in the Wild West.

The audio presentation of "Young Guns II" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, offers a dynamic and robust auditory experience that complements the film's vibrant energy and style. The soundtrack commences with an impressive display of depth in bass during the opening title music, accompanied by high clarity in both instrumental and choral arrangements. This setup establishes a promising foundation for the rest of the audio experience, which includes a sizeable front side presentation and substantial surround sound components. The music retains its vivacity and breadth throughout, contributing significantly to the movie’s atmosphere, even though it occasionally sacrifices precision for sheer enthusiasm.

Gunfight sequences, much like the musical scores, lean towards a more spirited and voluminous output rather than focusing on intricate details or subtlety. This approach, intentionally favoring excitement over accuracy, aligns well with the film’s general disposition and action pacing, albeit at the cost of sonic perfection. Nevertheless, these lively shootouts serve as a testament to the audio track’s dedication to enhancing the cinematic experience in a manner that is both enjoyable and fitting to the narrative’s tone.

Furthermore, the soundtrack adeptly incorporates lighter environmental sounds, which subtly enrich the portrayal of the arid landscapes of the Old West, adding a layer of immersion to the setting. The dialogue delivery stands out for its clarity and proper positioning within the center of the audio mix, ensuring that it remains intelligible and well prioritized amidst the chaos of intense gunfights. This careful balancing act ensures that the characters' voices are never drowned out by the background score or action sequences, thereby maintaining a coherent and engaging audio-visual experience throughout the film.

The extra presentation of the "Young Guns II" Blu-ray edition provides a decent albeit limited in quantity look into the makings and promotional aspect of the film. The inclusion of a making-of featurette is notable for offering insights directly from the cast on how the sequel builds upon its predecessor, exploring the continuity and developments in both plot and character arcs with a satisfactory blend of interview snippets and behind-the-scenes footage, culminating in an excerpt from Jon Bon Jovi's hit "Blaze of Glory." Furthermore, the addition of a high-definition theatrical trailer allows fans and newcomers alike to glimpse the movie's dynamic and action-packed essence. Unfortunately, the absence of a DVD or digital copy and the lack of a slipcover might detract from the overall collecting experience for some enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

Making-Of Featurette: The cast discusses the sequel's connection to the first movie, deep dives into character and plot enhancements, topped off with a snippet from Jon Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory."

Theatrical Trailer: High-definition preview of the film's engaging action and drama.

"Young Guns II" is not just a sequel but an extension of the notorious Billy the Kid saga, immersing viewers in the tumultuous life of the famous outlaw and his band of Regulators. Straying from the typical Western mold etched by icons such as John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, the film injects a modern vibrance into the genre, entwining traditional Western elements with the allure of a star-studded cast showcasing a particularly standout performance by Emilio Estevez. Estevez reprises his role as Billy the Kid, embodying the character with a charismatic blend of audacity and skill, which arguably places him among the memorable Western figures of cinema. The narrative, enriched with historical vendettas, captures the essence of an era marked by relentless pursuits and fierce loyalties, making it a solid pick for enthusiasts seeking action and depth within the Western genre.

The plot intricately weaves through Billy's formation of a new gang to the consequent manhunt led by former ally turned adversary, Pat Garrett. Esteemed for its execution of tension and drama, particularly in scenes depicting internal discord and external threats, the film stands out for its robust character developments alongside dynamic interactions. Noteworthy are the portrayals by Christian Slater and Kiefer Sutherland, whose contributions amplify the narrative’s complexity. Moreover, Alan Silvestri’s score and an iconic Jon Bon Jovi track commendably enhance the movie's ambiance, asserting "Young Guns II" not only as a sequel but a distinguished entity in its own right.

With stellar performances breathing life into this historical recount, "Young Guns II" delves into themes of betrayal, survival, and the pursuit of justice, overshadowed by the looming specter of Pat Garrett's hunt. Blending traditional Western tropes with a contemporary edge, underscored by Estevez’s portrayal of Billy, it transcends mere entertainment to echo the enduring allure of outlaw legends. The film’s meticulous attention to detail in character interaction and period depiction, accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack, ensures its appeal to both purists of the genre and a newer audience drawn to its exhilarating narrative and vivid character studies.

"Young Guns II," while it may not have achieved the status of a quintessential classic within the realm of Western cinema, undeniably presents itself as an engaging piece that invites viewers back time and again. Its captivating cinematography effortlessly transports audiences to the rugged, expansive landscapes synonymous with the genre. Complemented by a lineup of accomplished actors, the film crafts a compelling narrative that serves as the nucleus for its visual and aural feast. The inclusion of a memorable score further elevates the overall experience, creating an ambiance that is both authentic and endearing.

In the transition to Blu-ray, Sony delivers a presentation that adeptly enhances the film's inherent qualities. The 1080p video transfer is executed with precision, ensuring that the vibrancy of the Western vistas and the intricacies of each scene are faithfully reproduced. Viewers are likely to appreciate the multichannel lossless audio which encapsulates the essence of the film's atmospheric settings and dynamic soundtrack. However, it's important to note the Blu-ray package's deficiency in offering a wide array of special features – a component that enthusiasts of extra content may find lacking.

In conclusion, "Young Guns II" on Blu-ray stands out as a commendable release, primarily for its remarkable video and audio quality that truly honors the film's cinematic appeal. Despite the sparse selection of special features, the release should not be underestimated. It offers an appreciable upgrade for fans and newcomers alike, promising an immersive viewing experience that accentuates the movie's strengths. Highly recommended for those looking to add a distinctive Western gem to their Blu-ray collection.