BLU-RAY REVIEW

Last Exorcism, The: Part II

Featured In Issue 180, October 2013

Picture5
Sound5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
42447
(MPAA Rating):
Unrated
(Rating Reason):
Disturbing violent content and terror, some sexual references and thematic material
(Retail Price):
$35.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
89
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2013
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
06/18/13
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Ed Gass-Donnelly
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

In The Last Exorcism: Part II, Nell Sweetzer (Bell) is back in the relative safety of civilization and sent to live in a group home where she's encouraged to leave her past behind and start a new life. Just as Nell settles in, she is tormented by the seductive demonic presence that once possessed her. She realizes that the evil force is back with unimaginably horrific plans, which could only mean that her last exorcism was just the beginning. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Writer/Director Ed Gass-Donnelly and Producers Eli Roth and Eric Newman; the following featurettes: Shooting In New Orleans (HD 02:16), Hair Salon Scare (HD 02:21), and Nell's Story (HD 02:37); and upfront previews.

The 2.41:1 1080p AVC picture quality far exceeds the original, with a perfectly natural appearance. Still, the picture quality is terrific, with well-balanced contrast and a natural color palette. Hues are never oversaturated and fleshtones are naturally toned. Resolution is excellent, with revealing detail in close-ups, hair, clothing, and object texture. Some softness is evident, but overall the clarity and sharpness appear realistic. Unlike the previous mediocre presentation, this is absolutely satisfying and engaging. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is effectively supportive, with nuanced sonic presentation supported with deep .1 LFE bass energy that extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies but never sounds exaggerated. Dialogue is exceptionally intelligible and spatially integrated. While much of the presentation is front-hemisphere focused, the surrounds are, at times, aggressively directionalized, and various sound effects effectively communicate emotional responses. The music score is suitably haunting and spooky, with a wide and deep soundstage presence that extends to the surrounds. Overall, this is a satisfying spooky soundtrack, but still the overall impact is a disappointment. (Gary Reber)