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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Poltergeist II
    Genre:Horror

    Reviewed In Issue 27 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke, Oliver Robins, Zelda Rubenstein, Will Sampson, Julian Beck, Geraldine Fitzgerald, John P. Whitecloud & Noble Craig

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 3
    Sound Rating: 3.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): MGM
    (Catalog Number): ML106356
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 92
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1986
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Brian Gibson
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
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    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Poltergeist II is the sequel to the 1982 horror film about a family haunted by terrifying visitors from the netherworld. The Freeling family has settled into a new home, but the spirits of the dead are still after Diane (JoBeth Williams) and Steve’s (Craig T. Nelson) clairvoyant daughter Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke). This time, they contact her via her toy phone and in the form of Kane (Julian Beck)—a demon disguised as a preacher.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, framed at 2.35:1, exhibits some slight inconsistencies. Color fidelity is good with natural fleshtones, rich and vibrant colors and deep blacks, although sometimes seeming a bit subdued. Images are often sharp and detailed with good contrast and shadow detail. Some noise and artifacts are apparent.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Digital discrete and PCM Dolby Surround soundtracks are very similar and at times are nicely spatial in envelopment. There are moments of effective discrete surround directionality which distinguishes the two. Dialogue sounds generally natural, but is, at times, distorted and wanting in spatial integration.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: