Halloween II Blu-ray Review (Scream Factory Steelbook)

Reader Rating2 Votes

4

Buy

Amazon

Honestly, we’re not going to do yet another traditional review of the film Halloween II. It has been reviewed to death since 1981 and there’s really no point in diving in again since we’ve already done reviews on In Poor Taste and a full podcast episode about it, which I will link below.

So instead, we’re going to do something a bit different. On Halloween this year I livetweeted my viewing experience while watching this steelbook edition of Halloween II, and I present the entire stream in order.

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189915854743490560

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189916439932739585

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189916725032214529

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189917008764317696

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189917839274188800

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189918091171553281

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189918530612998144

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189918919940816903

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189919559916171269

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189920102206099458

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189920433853915136

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189920774917898240

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189921698482663424

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189922929569603584

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189924750723878915

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189925154090110979

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189925556634173440

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189925891578699776

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189926816850595840

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189927000888221696

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189929255754502144

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189929505667895297

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189930180468494336

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189933299554279427

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189934137781735429

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189936594335289344

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189937513693163521

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189937835140362241

https://twitter.com/cultsploitation/status/1189938567423954944

CHECK OUT

Comprehensive screenshots from this release

Steelbook Blu-ray

This new steelbook release of Halloween II from Scream Factory ports over all of the previous extras from their 2012 Blu-ray edition, including the 45-minute series of interviews about the making of the film, deleted scenes and alternate ending with or without commentary from Rick Rosenthal, trailers, still galleries, audio commentaries from Rick Rosenthal and Dick Warlock, and a DVD version of the TV cut. However, Scream Factory did give the film a new 4k scan of the interpositive, previously notated as the original camera negative incorrectly (and still listed that way on the box).

This new 4k scan looks quite good, giving the film lush and bright color depth that accentuates a number of elements in the storyline including the Myers mask’s blonde hair, the verdant greenery in Haddonfield, and a more vibrant aesthetic within the hospital. Darks are well-preserved, and the grain field remains naturally present throughout. However, the interpositive does yield a little less detail than previous releases that is negligibly noticeable during actual viewing.

Audio is both a 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 2.0 track, both sounding quite good with no apparent noise or volume drops. English subtitles have been added to this release.

The other main draw for this release is the steelbook itself with new cover artwork, seen below. Ultimately, for Halloween II fans and steelbook collectors, this is certainly worth picking up, though it might not be as big of a jump in quality as some might expect.

Packaging Details

Extra Features

• • NEW 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative (error: it is actually from the interpositive)
  • Audio Commentary With Director Rick Rosenthal
  • Audio Commentary With Stunt Coordinator Dick Warlock
  • “The Nightmare Isn’t Over – The Making Of Halloween II” Featuring Rick Rosenthal, Actors Lance Guest and Leo Rossi, Dick Warlock, Composer Alan Howarth, Director Of Photography Dean Cundey And More (HD; 44:56)
  • Horror’s Hallowed Grounds – Revisiting The Original Shooting Locations With Host Sean Clark (HD; 13:11)
  • TV cut (SD DVD version)
  • Still Gallery (chapter breaks; 4:34)
  • Posters and lobby cards (chapter breaks; 6:58)
  • Theatrical Trailer (unrestored HD; 2:19)
  • TV Spots (unrestored HD; 1:42)
  • Radio Spots (3:17)
  • Alternate ending (w/ commentary by Rick Rosenthal (unrestored HD; 1:45)
  • Deleted scenes (w/ commentary by Rick Rosenthal (unrestored HD; 8:07)
  • DVD-ROM film script

What’s Missing?

BD Info

This steelbook features a new 4k scan of the film's interpositive that is a slight step up from previous releases, though perhaps not as detailed due to the use of the interpositive. Thus, it's really worth a purchase if you don't own past releases or you collect steelbooks.

Film

Blu-ray

Reader Rating2 Votes

Good

Excellent sequel

Steelbook for collectors

Bad

4k scan is from the interpositive and not a huge difference in quality

4

Buy

Amazon

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