The Last Exorcism Part II Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Last Exorcism Part II" epitomizes the high-definition standards associated with recent releases. Visuals manifest with impressive detail, particularly noted in close-up shots where the texture is vividly apparent. Rural exterior scenes reveal clear long-range visuals with discernible refinement, enhancing the overall immersive experience. While the chromatic palette may not be extensive, the tonal balance remains precise, ensuring that colors appear natural and appealing. Flesh tones, though slightly pallid, retain a lifelike depiction, complementing the narrative's atmosphere. Additionally, white and black levels are stable and well-balanced, resulting in punchy whites and solid blacks without any noticeable video artifacts or anomalies.

The video quality varies throughout, reflecting a sensible approach to different scenes. The opening sequence, tinted with cold blues and grays, may initially come across as flat and sterile, underscoring a lack of depth typical of inorganic digital shoots. However, this shifts dramatically with the setting change to New Orleans. The digital cinematography spectacularly comes to life, offering dazzling colors from vibrant city festivities to lush isolated locales. This effective use of the digital medium accentuates the film's aesthetic appeal during these segments. Details in skin, clothing, and background elements are rendered with exceptional clarity across both bright and dark scenes, maintaining a consistent level of visual fidelity. The black levels are flawless, and skin tones stay neutral, contributing to an overall superb effort by the production team without any significant issues like banding or noise.

The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack of "The Last Exorcism Part II" offers impeccable clarity and an engaging sonic experience that supports the film's thematic elements. Dialogue is crisply rendered, consistently anchored in the center channel, ensuring voices are distinct and balanced within the front soundstage. Subtle background sounds, off-camera cues, and spatial dimensions within the room's acoustic environment are notably effective, highlighting the soundtrack's attention to detail. Dynamic range is robust, providing an enriching depth to low-frequency effects included in the mix. Though the surround mix isn’t ceaselessly aggressive, its selective deployment elevates the suspenseful moments without being overbearing.

Musical elements are presented with a smooth and naturalistic quality, where even light piano notes exhibit remarkable spaciousness. The surrounds enhance both musical scores and ambient environmental sounds effectively, from serene atmospheres to lively New Orleans downtown scenes. While bass elements occasionally rattle rather than remain tight, this minor flaw does not detract significantly from the overall quality. Heavy scare sounds and aggressive rock beats are delivered with potent energy and clarity, demonstrating the soundtrack's dynamic capability. This expertly crafted audio mix from Sony ensures an immersive and technically impressive listening experience throughout the film.

The extras on the Blu-ray for "The Last Exorcism Part II" present a well-rounded and engaging glimpse behind the scenes. The disc features an insightful audio commentary by director Ed Gass-Donnelly and producer Eli Roth, delving into the challenges of making a sequel, the director's stylistic nuances, production design, and more, with both contributors managing a balanced dynamic. The featurettes, though short, provide valuable context; "Nell's Story" explores the transition from the first film's plot to the second, while "Shooting in New Orleans" discusses the locale's impact on production. An entertaining "Hair Salon Scare" prank offers a viral marketing angle, showcasing actress Ashley Bell's flair for live scares. Collectively, these extras enrich the viewing experience without overwhelming the audience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Discusses sequel challenges, style shifts, and production details.
• Nell’s Story: Cast and crew discuss plot connections between films.
• Shooting in New Orleans: Benefits and experiences of filming in New Orleans.
• Hair Salon Scare: Viral prank showing a live scare with actress Ashley Bell.
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy: Additional digital access to the film.

"The Last Exorcism Part II" continues the tale of Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell), who, after surviving the traumatic events of the first film, attempts to rebuild her life in a group home in New Orleans. The movie sets up a promising premise as Nell befriends fellow housemate Gwen (Julia Garner) and starts a job cleaning hotel rooms, signaling a fresh start. However, it soon descends into predictable horror tropes. As expected from a sequel, her old demons – figuratively and literally – resurface, igniting a series of events that curtail her return to normalcy.

The film epitomizes what many critics perceive as the downfall of modern horror. It’s laden with recycled ideas and technical clichés, focusing more on marketing gimmicks than genuine storytelling. The plot is peppered with derivative jump scares, such as sudden loud noises synchronized with random appearances, head tilts revealing blackened eyes, and the quintessential levitating girl scene – all accompanied by sharp musical cues designed to manufacture fear rather than organically build tension. These elements highlight the lack of creative vision, making the movie feel more like a compilation of horror stereotypes than a cohesive narrative.

Moreover, "The Last Exorcism Part II" fails to innovate within its genre, relying heavily on well-worn conventions that no longer surprise or frighten an increasingly desensitized audience. The scare tactics employed feel formulaic and predictable, detracting from any sense of real horror or suspense. This results in a viewing experience that feels hollow and uninspired, lacking the depth and originality required to leave a lasting impact. In sum, the film offers little more than superficial thrills, devoid of genuine dramatic value or novelty in its execution.

The Last Exorcism Part II is a mixed bag that even its professional polish cannot fully rectify. While the acting is passable and performs better than some of its low-budget contemporaries, the film falls drastically short in delivering the long-lasting terror that defines exceptional horror cinema. The visuals and stylistic choices lean heavily on fleeting scares, eschewing the more atmospheric elements that create a lingering fear. Consequently, it turns into a forgettable "watch-and-forget" experience that doesn’t evoke genuine dread beyond its runtime. Fans of deep psychological horror will find themselves unfulfilled as this movie offers nothing more than momentary frights.

Sony’s Blu-ray release does offer a bright spot: the technical presentation. The AV quality is impeccable, with standout video and audio that capitalize on high-definition technology to deliver crisp visuals and immersive sound. However, the inherent flaw lies in the content itself – no amount of technical excellence can redeem a narrative that lacks substance. A small selection of extras is included, but ultimately they add minimal value to an already disappointing experience.

In conclusion, The Last Exorcism Part II is an uninspired sequel that fails to engage on a deeper level, making it easy to forget soon after the credits roll. Despite Sony’s commendable effort in providing a high-quality Blu-ray release, the film itself doesn’t warrant repeated viewings or a place in a serious horror enthusiast’s collection. For those seeking truly haunting experiences, this release can be easily skipped in favor of more substantial offerings in the genre.