Backdraft 2 Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "Backdraft 2" on Blu-ray showcases an impressive array of visual attributes. Digitally captured, the film excels in delivering sharp corner-to-corner clarity throughout its duration. Textural details, whether in tight character shots or sweeping Chicago cityscapes, manifest a modest digital sheen with a good balance of grit and complexity. Colors are punchy and lean toward a warm contrast, effectively livening up characters' eyes and lips as well as brightly-colored accents. However, the digital flames appear somewhat dull, which is disappointing considering fire's critical visual role in a firefighting movie. Despite this, there is an overall absence of black crush and mishandled skin tones.

The Blu-ray image maintains strong detail, exposing intricate textures in burnt wood, ashes, and the firefighters' beard stubble. Noise occasionally intrudes in darker shots and some daytime scenes, but it remains minimal and unobtrusive. Black levels are remarkably deep and inky, further enhancing the viewing experience with minimal instances of black crush. The image quality only highlights the disparity between the high production value of the transfer and the comparatively cheap special effects used throughout the film. Nonetheless, the Blu-ray offers a robust visual performance that stands out, unfortunately tethered to a lackluster storyline.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "Backdraft 2" offers an ambitious auditory experience, characterized by a robust low end that commands attention from the very start. Initially, the deep low frequencies might feel overpowering at reference volume, but balance is soon achieved as the narrative progresses into its dialogue-heavy segments. Dialogue delivery stands out for its natural clarity and central focus, ensuring that spoken lines are always well prioritized and intelligible. These acoustically driven moments dominate much of the film, providing a steady foundation grounded in realism.

The action sequences, while fewer in number compared to the original "Backdraft," still provide moments of auditory excitement. Sounds of falling debris, crackling flames, and general chaos are depicted with convincing authenticity, though they focus more on the aftermath rather than the blaze itself. The LFE presence significantly enhances these sequences, introducing a palpable sense of immersion and room-shaking reverberation during explosions, even if some effects reveal their cinematic artifice.

Music throughout "Backdraft 2" benefits from an appropriately wide and detailed soundstage, with some surround elements strategically incorporated to enhance the overall listening experience. This nuanced approach to sound design ensures that while the film focuses on different dramatic and action elements, the audio presentation remains consistently engaging and technically impressive.

The Blu-ray release of "Backdraft 2" is notably sparse in terms of supplemental content. Users will find the main menu offering only basic options such as Play, Chapters, and Setup, with no additional special features or behind-the-scenes insights. The package does include a DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code, but that's the extent of the added value. Additionally, the physical release comes with a non-embossed slipcover.

Extras included in this disc: DVD Copy: A standard DVD version of the film. Digital Copy Code: Access to a Movies Anywhere digital version.

"Backdraft 2" is an underwhelming follow-up to the 1991 classic, missing the nuanced direction of Ron Howard and the original's robust narrative. Centering on Sean McCaffrey (Joe Anderson), an ace fire investigator in Chicago, the story follows his investigation of a series of deadly fires. Despite some nods to its predecessor, such as returning characters Ronald Bartel (Donald Sutherland) and Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), the film feels like an extended episode of a procedural TV show. The script is shallow, with minimal character development and a lackluster portrayal of investigative work that fails to engage or add depth to the story.

Technically, the film suffers from subpar digital fire effects that starkly contrast with the visceral, practical visuals of the original. The CGI flames lack intensity and realism, giving scenes an almost amateurish feel. The film's reliance on technical jargon further distances viewers rather than immersing them in the investigative process. Shot primarily in Toronto and Romania, which stand in for Chicago, the production design relies heavily on matte photography that looks inexpensive and unconvincing. Add to this Joe Anderson’s mumbled lines and poorly fleshed-out supporting characters, and Backdraft 2 falls short on many fronts.

The film endeavors to tie its storyline to larger themes but does so inadequately. Sean’s interactions with Bartel aim for a Hannibal Lecter-esque dynamic but fall flat, feeling forced and unnecessary. The focus on technical minutiae over emotional depth renders the narrative bland and forgettable. In the end, "Backdraft 2" feels like a disposable sequel, more concerned with cashing in on nostalgia than delivering a compelling and well-crafted story. It lacks the excitement and chemistry that made the original a memorable experience.

"Backdraft 2" arrives on Blu-ray with ambitions to reignite the fiery excitement of the original, but fundamentally flounders in its execution. Despite the best efforts by the production team to weave connections back to the 1991 classic, the sequel stumbles with forgettable characters and an overly complex plot lacking coherence. The story aims to uphold a sense of nostalgia but instead collapses under its own weight, devoid of fresh ideas or compelling narrative drivers. The film’s attempt to create characters worth caring about falls flat, rendering it a struggle for viewers to engage emotionally.

Technically, the Blu-ray release boasts robust video and audio quality. The visuals, while clean, fail to compensate for inferior fire effects that surprisingly lag behind those seen in the original film nearly three decades prior. Audio presentation holds up well but can't save the lackluster overall experience. Unfortunately, Universal's release remains featureless, offering no added value for potential buyers seeking deeper immersion or understanding of the film's creation process.

Conclusion: Forgettable characters, an overly busy plot, forced connections to the original, bad fire effects (truly, it's amazing a film nearly 30 years older than this looks so much better), and so many more strikes make Backdraft 2 one of the most inconsequential films around. While one can laud the production for not simply cashing in on the name and trying to form some sort of connective tissue to the other one, the process fails the movie and results in a snoozer that has no ideas on how to tell a story that's worth anything, how to introduce and build characters worth caring about, or what made the original so effective. It's the cinema equivalent of chum. Universal's featureless Blu-ray does offer hearty video and audio presentations. Skip it.