Brahms: The Boy II Blu-ray Review

The 2.39:1 framed Blu-ray presentation of "Brahms: The Boy II" provides a sharp and clear image, showcasing a well-executed teal color grading. Facial details, particularly on Katie Holmes, are rendered with remarkable clarity, capturing fine lines and age marks that enhance the realism of her appearance. The film’s black levels are deep and inky, though there are instances of color banding in shadowy scenes, especially noticeable in the dark interiors of the manor. While the colors are generally muted for stylistic effect, primary hues like green grass and a red shirt worn by one of Jude's cousins stand out with vividness.

The 1080p transfer maintains proficiency through most of the movie but does show some banding artifacts, especially during densely foggy sequences in the opening titles and in a few scenes involving dark interiors. Notably, compression artifacts appear toward the film's end in the basement area. Despite these occasional issues, the overall image quality remains impressive, supported by solid black levels and restrained noise. Details are exceptionally sharp, capturing intricate textures such as Brahms’ porcelain face and the lush forest in outdoor scenes.

Technically speaking, the video encoding is MPEG-4 AVC at a resolution of 1080P. The aspect ratio of 2:39:1 adds to the cinematic experience. Depth is well-rendered in small rooms, enhancing the claustrophobic horror atmosphere. Black levels predominantly perform well, although crushed blacks may occasionally obscure details like Holmes’s dark hair in dim lighting. Color reproduction is tasteful yet effective, with bold greens and reds faithfully represented. Skin tones appear natural and well-rendered throughout. Artifacts and noise are minimal, ensuring an engaging viewing experience without significant visual distractions.

"Brahms: The Boy II" offers an exemplary audio presentation, providing listeners with a highly engaging and immersive experience. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is particularly notable for its ability to elevate the horror elements of the film, delivering tight, punchy bass during jump scares and deep, atmospheric low-frequency extension that perfectly augments the tension. The vocals are consistently crisp and clear, ensuring dialogue is well-prioritized and firmly positioned at the front-center, creating a balanced stage.

The surround channels are utilized masterfully, enabling nimble and mobile sounds to create a fully enveloping environment, particularly during scenes like the children playing outside, which are executed with striking precision. Various sound effects, like off-camera actions and whispers, further contribute to a spooky atmosphere, enhanced by aggressive strings and dynamic sound shifts that engage the listener continually.

Overall, the audio mix on this Blu-Ray is designed to captivate the audience, with spatial sound effectively immersing viewers from Brahm's eerie mansion to modern hallways. Noteworthy chapters like 10 and 12 stand out for their integration of rear channel activity and substantive subwoofer support. For a horror film released in 2020, this soundtrack stands out as one of the better mixes, making the movie an auditory pleasure even if the narrative itself might not be particularly memorable.

The Extras section of "Brahms: The Boy II" Blu-ray is slim but offers additional content worth exploring. Included are an alternate ending and a collection of deleted and alternate scenes. The alternate ending runs for about eight and a half minutes and provides a slightly different conclusion, although with some unfinished VFX, it lacked a polished feel. The deleted and alternate scenes, with a combined runtime just under ten minutes, consist of extended sequences like the "Extended Nightmare" and "Brahms Watches TV," along with insightful snippets such as "Jude’s Drawings" and the intriguing "Doll Maker." However, the absence of a behind-the-scenes featurette or director's commentary is disappointing, especially for fans of Katie Holmes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Ending: A different take on the film's conclusion without the final scene.
• Deleted and Alternate Scenes: Six scenes, including extended nightmares and additional character interactions.

"Brahms: The Boy II" picks up from the unsettling premise of its predecessor but regrettably diverges into a bewildering and less rewarding narrative. Directed by William Brent Bell and scripted by Stacey Menear, this sequel attempts to build on the horror legend of the haunting doll, Brahms, but instead delivers a film marred by recycled beats, predictable twists, and flat characters. Katie Holmes stars as Liza, a mother scarred by a traumatic home invasion incident that leaves her son Jude (Christopher Convery) mute. In search of healing, the family relocates to the British countryside, unwittingly close to the ominous Heelshire estate. Jude quickly bonds with a buried porcelain doll he names Brahms, marking the onset of eerie occurrences.

The attempt to weave a supernatural narrative ultimately feels forced and tangential, negating the more grounded psychological elements initially hinted at. The original's intriguing twist—that the supernatural aspects were misdirection—is undone here as the film pushes an overtly supernatural agenda by portraying Brahms as an embodiment of pure evil. This retcon dilutes any sense of mystery and shifts the tone dramatically, detracting from the eerie charm of the original. Performances lack depth and engagement; Holmes does her best to convey a mother's desperation, but even her talent cannot uplift the lackluster script.

While technically proficient in terms of visual and audio execution, "Brahms: The Boy II" struggles to present a compelling storyline or elicit genuine fear. The plot progresses through tired genre clichés and uninspired set-pieces, failing to maintain momentum or suspense. The creepy doll aesthetic is retained, adding a veneer of horror, but this is insufficient to compensate for the film's structural and narrative flaws. The brisk runtime is mercifully short, yet it underscores how little substance is packed into this sequel. Fans seeking a thoughtful continuation of "The Boy" will likely find themselves disappointed as "Brahms: The Boy II" teeters between forgettable and frustratingly mediocre.

"Brahms: The Boy II" ultimately forges its own path while attempting to build on the foundation laid by its predecessor. However, it doesn't quite succeed in elevating the narrative or providing a compelling connection to the first film beyond its recurring doll motif. The film adheres to many of the tropes typical of horror sequels, which unfortunately results in trite and unoriginal storytelling. Katie Holmes delivers a committed performance, but the character development and plot lack the depth needed to sustain audience engagement for its 87-minute runtime.

While the storyline may not be its strongest feature, "Brahms: The Boy II" excels in technical aspects. The Blu-ray release boasts high-quality visuals with a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio that captures intricate details and atmospheric settings effectively. The accompanying DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track provides an immersive sound experience, with clear dialogues and well-mixed ambient sounds that enhance the tension and elevate the viewing experience. Supplemental features are sparse, limited to a few deleted and alternate scenes, which adds little value to the overall package.

In conclusion, "Brahms: The Boy II" falls short of being an essential addition to the horror genre. Despite strong technical execution and competent acting, it struggles to offer anything memorable or innovative. The film fails to live up to its potential and does not significantly improve upon its predecessor. Therefore, for most viewers, it might be best approached as a rental rather than a purchase. For devout horror enthusiasts, it may provide some modicum of fleeting entertainment but ultimately remains a forgettable addition to any collection.