Howling II: ... Your Sister Is a Werewolf Blu-ray Review

Presented by Scream Factory, the Blu-ray release of "Howling II: ... Your Sister Is a Werewolf" brings the 1985 cult classic to life with a decent AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.84:1 and 1.85:1 aspect ratios. The source material, appearing to have been derived from older masters, does exhibit a fair amount of age-related artifacts, such as white specks, dirt, and vertical lines. Despite this, the overall image quality is quite impressive for a film of its stature, showcasing nicely detailed visuals and vibrant color reproduction. The frequent presence of grain, while heavy at times, resolves into an organic texture that adds to the film's vintage charm.

Detail and clarity are generally commendable, with objects and fine lines distinctly clear in most scenes. Although there are some recurrent issues with crush in the darker sequences, acceptable shadow detail is maintained. The brightness and contrast have been slightly bumped, which helps in offering a brighter image but also introduces minor posterization and blooming in highlights. facial complexions appear natural and distinct, especially in close-ups where skin pores and stubble are noticeable.

The film features strong black levels and a natural color palette with particularly notable reds and greens. There are occasional soft moments likely due to the quality of the elements and certain stylistic choices in the photography, but these do not significantly detract from the viewing experience. Compression artifacts are minimal, ensuring the image remains sharp and defined for the duration. Overall, this Blu-ray transfer is a significant upgrade over previous home video releases, catering well to fans of this camp classic, offering them a visual treat that is likely the best this film has ever looked.

The audio presentation of "Howling II: ... Your Sister Is a Werewolf" on Blu-ray provides a serviceable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. Dialogue is effectively prioritized and rendered with notable clarity, ensuring that voices, especially performances by Christopher Lee and Sybil Danning, are well-articulated. Sound effects such as fire crackling and magical spells casting are distinct, contributing to an engaging audio experience. The track maintains a balance between vocals, effects, and music, preserving the integrity of the original audio design without any major distortions or issues. However, the dialogue replacement (ADR) is noticeable but clean.

The track exhibits a relatively strong and comprehensive dynamic range, which delivers well-defined audio details throughout. Despite its mono configuration centered on the screen's middle, the sound does achieve a sense of presence with varied background activities. The dated score, along with several songs, may appear a tad bright on the upper end during louder moments, yet it remains satisfying with a decent low-end depth enhancing numerous action sequences. While the mix feels somewhat limited in offering upper frequency details, it compensates with robust vocal clarity and a palpable low-frequency extension, ensuring an immersive auditory experience.

Subtitles in English are provided for accessibility. This Blu-ray represents the best audio cleanup and transfer for "Howling II" so far, giving fans an enjoyable listening experience despite some minor limitations. The absence of major qualms makes this audio presentation highly commendable for both purists and new viewers alike.

The Blu-ray extras for “Howling II: … Your Sister Is a Werewolf” are a robust treasure trove for fans of the series and genre aficionados alike. The disc offers insightful interviews, with Reb Brown recounting his unique entry into the industry and Sybil Danning nostalgically reflecting on her role with notable fondness. Special make-up effects artists Steve Johnson and Scott Wheeler provide an entertaining and candid discussion on their creative process. Director Philippe Mora engages in a comprehensive audio commentary that covers production anecdotes, while additional commentary from composer Steve Parsons and editor Charles Bornstein dives into the technical aspects of the film. Alternate scenes and behind-the-scenes footage add layers of context, making this Blu-ray a must-have for enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Leading Man: Reb Brown discusses his acting career and experiences on set.
• Queen of the Werewolves: Sybil Danning reflects on her role.
• A Monkey Phase: Humorous insights from make-up effects artists Steve Johnson and Scott Wheeler.
• Alternate Opening: An alternate version focusing more on the Reb Brown/Christopher Lee conversation.
• Alternate Ending: Slight variations from the theatrical release.
• Behind the Scenes: Raw footage featuring prosthetics and make-up effects.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promotional preview of the movie.
• Still Gallery: Collection of behind-the-scenes images and promotional stills.
• Audio Commentary with Director Philippe Mora: Insights on production and filming in Czechoslovakia.
• Audio Commentary with Composer Steve Parsons and Editor Charles Bornstein: Technical insights on film production.

"Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf" is a peculiar sequel to 1981's "The Howling," pivoting sharply from its predecessor’s sinister tones and innovative effects to a realm of absurdity and campiness. For those intrigued by outlandish cinema, this entry provides a bizarre escapade filled with werewolf ménage à trois, S&M-clad acolytes, punk rock aesthetics, and wanton nudity. The film follows Stefan Crosscoe (Christopher Lee) as he convinces Karen White’s brother Ben (Reb Brown) and her colleague Jenny Templeton (Annie McEnroe) to travel to Transylvania and thwart werewolf queen Stirba (Sybil Danning). Implausible plot devices, such as journalists keeping werewolf transformations secret and inconsistencies in the timeline, detract from serious credibility but add to the unintentional hilarity.

Technically, the movie boasts an offbeat Eastern European ambiance, filmed in the former Czechoslovakia, lending it a unique, otherworldly feel reminiscent of Nicolas Roeg’s "Don’t Look Now." Philippe Mora’s direction imbues the film with exuberant sleaze and palpable mood, though often more chaotic than effective. Christopher Lee lends gravitas to an otherwise flimsy script, delivering his role as a lycanthrope hunter with commendable intensity despite the campy material. Danning’s portrayal of Stirba is both alluring and commanding, embodying the cult status of this B-movie with her outrageous costumes and performance.

The special effects, particularly the werewolf transformations and hair-covered erotic scenes, are laughably low-budget but entertaining. The rock soundtrack featuring New Wave band Babel adds a peculiar charm, even if the attempts to align with subculture trends feel forced. Despite atrocious performances from some cast members and numerous editorial missteps, "Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf" endures as a cult favorite for its sheer audacity and relentless absurdity. This Blu-ray showcases this schlocky classic in all its bizarre glory, making it an essential watch for fans of so-bad-it’s-good cinema.

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of "Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf" delivers an unexpected treasure trove for fans of cult classics. This sequel features a delightfully campy movie experience with its bizarre mix of unintentionally hilarious scenes, starkly contrasting performances, and a remarkably eclectic setting – from werewolf raves to naked marauding women. Despite its glaring flaws and outdated special effects, the film's schlocky nature and over-the-top narrative make it an enjoyably irreverent watch. The Blu-ray enhances this experience by providing a competent upgrade in audio and video quality – the best this film has ever had.

The most standout feature of this release is the array of engaging supplementary content. Two insightful audio commentaries include discussions with director Philippe Mora and composer Steve Parsons alongside editor Charles Bornstein. Interviews with key figures such as actor Reb Brown, actress Sybil Danning, and special effects artists Steve Johnson and Scott Wheeler offer a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look. Additional elements like an alternate opening and ending, behind-the-scenes footage, original theatrical trailers, and a still gallery enrich the viewing experience. It is important to note, however, that the TV version’s unique scene and end credits are absent, likely due to preservation challenges.

Conclusion:

"Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf" is so patently odd that it tends to defy traditional critical analysis, but the bottom line is if you're in the mood for some unintentional camp and comedy in the form of naked (if occasionally rather hirsute) women marauding through a werewolf rave of sorts, this could be the film for you! This is another cult release from Scream Factory that ups the ante with some excellent supplements, something that may make this a more palatable purchase for some. For those who are considering a purchase, technical merits are generally very good to excellent.