Wrong Turn 2: Dead End Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" on Blu-Ray, while boasting an upgrade in technical specs from DVD, leaves much to be desired. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer highlights significant shortcomings akin to its predecessor but with a few marginal improvements. Shot on video instead of film, the transfer exhibits consistent softness, with many scenes appearing indistinct. The application of DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) results in muddied textures and a lack of fine detail, though some isolated shots display inexplicable sharpness. Highlight blow-outs are frequent, notably affecting patterns and bright whites, which can appear overly harsh and unnatural.

While black levels have seen minor enhancements compared to the first film, delivering better contrast and fewer crushed details, the overall color depth remains subpar. The image quality, more often than not, is comparable to DVD rather than taking full advantage of Blu-Ray capabilities. Contrast stability is a recurring issue, destabilizing especially in dark or low-lit interiors where black crush is prevalent. Bright daylight scenes do fare marginally better, offering more defined details, but these instances are neither sufficient nor consistent enough to save the picture quality as a whole. Primary colors manage to stand out somewhat boldly without noticeable artifacts, providing a slight redeeming factor; still, other hues suffer from dullness.

In summary, "Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" presents a lackluster video experience that struggles with detail inconsistency and suboptimal color rendering, making it far from exemplary in the realm of Blu-Ray presentations. The film’s inherent limitations due to its video source material are evident, and while minor improvements exist, they are insufficient to elevate the viewing experience significantly.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" is serviced by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, offering a mixed but ultimately serviceable experience. While this sequel doesn't quite match the immersive and impactful soundscape of the original film, it still provides some noteworthy moments. The front soundstage is prominent, benefiting from clear dialogue delivered through the center channel and a generally stable mix. Despite some modest low-frequency effects, the overall dynamism is somewhat limited. Specific scenes do leverage these low frequencies effectively, although they lack refinement and do not significantly contribute to the listener's experience.

Activity in the rear channels is noticeably restrained, which contrasts with the more dynamic pans and discrete effects heard in its predecessor. Most of the surround speaker action is confined to background atmospherics such as rustling leaves or buzzing flies, contributing to a less engaging auditory environment. Additionally, the musical score trickles gently into the background but does not leverage the full potential of the surround channels. Despite these limitations, there exist visceral auditory elements—for instance, bone-cracking foley effects that elicit a visceral response—reinforcing moments of violence and adding a grim texture to the film's sound design. In sum, while not a standout addition to one's high-definition audio collection, the DTS-HD Master Audio track ensures a reasonable upgrade from previous editions, fitting for a direct-to-video sequel.

The Blu-ray extras of "Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" are a mixed bag, with some content offering decent insights while others feel more like filler. The audio commentary spans two tracks; one by director Joe Lynch and actors Erica Leerhsen and Henry Rollins, where Lynch’s hyperactive enthusiasm overshadows substantial discussion, and another by writers Turi Meyer and Al Septien, which is more candid and informative about the film's development process and character arcs. The featurettes vary in quality, with "Making Gore Look Good" standing out as it delves into the practical effects that bring the film's grisly scenes to life. However, some features like "On Location with P-Nut" feel somewhat inconsequential.

Extras included on this disc:

• Commentary by Director Joe Lynch and Actors Erica Leerhsen and Henry Rollins: Hyperactive chatter dominated by Lynch.
• Commentary by Writers Turi Meyer and Al Septien: Candid discussion on characters and plot development.
• More Blood, More Guts: The Making of Wrong Turn 2: Short insights into casting and character discussions.
• On Location with P-Nut: Brief behind-the-scenes footage from a set visit.
• Making Gore Look Good: Detailed look at the film's practical effects and grisly scenes.

"Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" swiftly immerses viewers into the gritty chaos of mutant mayhem, set against the wild backdrop of West Virginia. Portrayed as a splatter sequel homage akin to "Evil Dead II" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2," this installment eschews any pretense of seriousness for sheer, visceral entertainment. From the gruesome opening kill featuring a brutal death of American Idol’s Kimberly Caldwell to a series of creatively malicious fatalities, the gore is relentless and gleefully abundant. The mutant antagonists are back in full force, inflicting horrifying damage with macabre creativity and a disturbingly dark sense of humor. Despite shallow characters and a paper-thin plot, the movie's unapologetic embrace of over-the-top violence makes it a surprising fun ride for gore aficionados.

At its core, the film centers around a reality TV show parody, "Ultimate Survival," hosted by the emphatically cast Henry Rollins as retired Marine Dale Murphy. The contestants, quickly established as genre stereotypes, navigate through the woods only to encounter a series of blood-curdling encounters with cannibalistic mutants. Special nods to horror classics, such as Rollins' Rambo-evocative transformation and clever references like the inclusion of a "Battle Royale" t-shirt, display director Joe Lynch's reverence for horror cinema. Though some plot devices, like the reality TV gimmick, are merely superficial, Lynch masterfully delivers the anticipated staples of a horror sequel: heightened body counts, inventive deaths, and buckets of blood.

While "Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" is mired by its flat characters and sporadic attempts at shock beyond just gore—like scenes of mutant perversity within their grotesque family dynamics—the film thrives on its commitment to gruesome spectacle. It's a marked improvement over its predecessor, driven by relentless pace and unembellished violence, making it a competent addition to the direct-to-video horror landscape. For those with a penchant for graphic horror and unrestrained carnage, this sequel offers an entertaining, if nonsensical, viewing experience.

"Wrong Turn 2: Dead End," directed by Joe Lynch, provides an entertaining yet gruesome experience that stands out within the horror genre. Fans of the original will find the sequel to be a logical progression, elevating the intensity of gore and excitement. Henry Rollins' performance is notably a highlight, adding a unique edge to the movie. However, the film contains visual defects in its Blu-ray transfer, which may detract from the overall viewing experience for discerning audiences. Despite these issues, "Wrong Turn 2" remains a riveting ride through a blood-soaked narrative.

The Blu-ray release for "Wrong Turn 2: Dead End" features an average audio/visual presentation with much of the same supplemental material present in the initial DVD version. While it doesn't reach the pinnacle of high-definition clarity expected by some Blu-ray enthusiasts, it still offers an adequate representation of the film’s grim ambiance. Although it may not serve as a benchmark for other horror releases on Blu-ray, it does retain the visceral impact and thrilling sequences integral to its appeal.

Second verse? Slightly better than the first. "Wrong Turn 2" doesn't reach Dead Alive-levels of gore but surpasses the first film with better kills and an overall more entertaining, gut-busting experience. Visual deficiencies in the transfer notwithstanding, it offers a captivating experience for fans of the franchise. For anyone deeply invested in the series, consider holding out for the upcoming Wrong Turn box-set for a more comprehensive collection. Fans of horror, particularly those who enjoyed the first installment, will find "Wrong Turn 2" a worthy addition to their collection, while others might explore alternative titles within the genre.