WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn
Genre:Horror

Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley, Richard Domeier

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 1.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Elite Entertainment
(Catalog Number): EE3845
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $49.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 95
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1976
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Sam Raimi
(Screenplay/Written By): Sam Raimi & Scott Spiegel
(Story):
(Music): Joseph Lo Duca
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Philip Duffin & Randy Bennett
(Visual Effects): Doug Beswick Productions, Inc. & Acme Special Effects
(Costume Designer): Vicki Graef
(Editor): Kaye Davis
(Supervising Sound Editors): David West
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Irwin Shapiro & Alex De Benedetti
(Co-Producers): Bruce Campbell
(Producers): Robert Tapert

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Evil Dead 2—Dead By Dawn, the sequel to Evil Dead and the prequel to Army Of Darkness, is a gory, funny and over-the-top horror flick that is all-out fun for those with strong stomachs. Bruce Campbell reprises his role as Ash, with plans for a romantic weekend with his girlfriend. But, after accidentally playing an ancient incantation on a tape recorder, an evil force is awakened—forcing Ash to wage war against the undead with a sawed-off shotgun, a chainsaw and a bad attitude. Like the original, Evil Dead 2—Dead By Dawn has become a cult favorite.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, matted at 1.85:1, is problematic and inconsistent. Color fidelity is often oversaturated with orange fleshtones and deep, undefined blacks. Other times, color fidelity is dull and overly dark. Contrast is mediocre and shadow detail is often undefined. Noise and artifacts are minimal.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished monaural that is compressed and distorted.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: