Halloween II: DVD Review
Release Date September 18, 2001
As you know a new Halloween II DVD will be released shortly. Many people are curious about the contents of the DVD. No it will not have any deleted scenes or director commentaries. A friend of mine (I'll call him Captain Kirk, and no it isn't me) got an advanced copy of the new DVD. Kirk was nice enough to provide this information. Another similar review was posted at DVDFile.com and it may provide more professional information if you want it. However, it will not provide any more information than you see here because everybody I talk to likes the DVD but is disappointed because this film deserves a better treatment.
DISC FEATURES
Specifications
- DVD-Video
- Single-Layer disc
- Region 1
Aspect Ratio(s):
- 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Dolby Digital Formats:
- English 2.0 Surround
Subtitles/Captions:
- English Captions
- Spanish Subtitles
- French Subtitles
Standard Features:
- Scene Access
- Interactive Menus
Additional Features:
- Cast and crew filmographies
- Theatrical trailer - Production notes
List Price:
- $24.95
DVD Review by "Captain Kirk"
The video is much better then the 1998 Goodtimes release. Most noticeable is the improved resolution and a cleaner picture. Flesh tones and all colors are improved, clearly and more realistic. I was really surprised the the improvement but I did notice that the 1998 release is almost as good as this one. The downside to this footage is the sharpness of the picture. Yes the colors are great but the new transfer appears darker than the 1998 release. However the unstable black levels have been cleaned up. Overall, like I said, the transfer is much better and a true fan of Halloween II will not be disappointed.
The first major downside to this DVD is the audio transfer. It is the same transfer that was included in the 1998 Goodtimes release and therefore won't enthrall my fellow Halloween fans. However, considering that this is a twenty year old movie leads one to consider his or her options. This film isn't the original Halloween and therefore isn't paid the same respect that its predecessor received from Anchor Bay. The DVD still contains all the subtitles in French, Spanish and English.
Special features are next to nothing if you are looking for a Anchor Bay type release. The film contains several deleted scenes that were originally supposed to be included in this release. But Universal pulled out the extra scenes which make the film more enjoyable, the characters more believable and the plot more entertaining. However my fellow fans do not fret because the DVD does have a few additions. Improved production notes, cast and crew filmographies, and the original theatrical trailer in full frame are included in this release.
The price is a bit steep.....$24.95 for a "barebones" DVD is a little bit excessive if you ask me. From what I saw this DVD shouldn't go for more than $14.95. Why they charge another $10.00 is ridiculous. It is a must for any true fan of the series but after you watch the film, and browse it's limited special features it may make you a little disappointed. I won't advise against anybody purchasing the DVD but if you already own the Goodtimes release and want to wait for a better release than do so. If you are a fan like myself....you will own this DVD because you just have to get it. Enjoy!!! Here are the photos of the DVD acquired from the Myers Museum.
DVD Shots
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Screen Shots
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Top photo courtesy of halloweenmovies.com, the rest were acquired from the Myers Museum Message board.