BLU-RAY REVIEW

Hellbound: Hellraiser II 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue Issue 275, September/October 2024

Picture4
Sound4
WSR Score3
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):
Arrow Video
(Catalog Number):
AV685
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$119.95
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-100)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
99
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
10/22/2024
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Tony Randel
(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, DTS HD Lossless 2.0
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

In "Hellbound: Hellraiser II," traumatized by the horrific events of Hellraiser, Kirsty is committed to an institution for treatment. But the facility's chief psychiatrist, Dr. Philip Channard, is secretly obsessed with the afterlife, and he manages to resurrect Julia and unleash Pinhead and the Cenobites once again.Kirsty is brought to an institution after the horrible events of Hellraiser (1987), where the occult-obsessive head doctor resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites and their demonic underworld. (Gary Reber)

Special features include new commentary with Stephen Jones and Kim Newman, archival commentary with Director Tony Randel, Screenwriter Peter Atkins and Actor Ashley Laurence, commentary with Director Randel and Screenwriter Atkins, the new featurette "Hell Was What They Wanted" (HD 01:25:17), the new featurette "The Rat-Slice Sound" (HD 11:54), on-set interview with Clive Barker (HD 03:18), on-set interviews with cast and crew (HD 904:45), behind the scenes footage (HD 01:51), "Being Frank: Sean Chapman On Hellraiser" (HD 11:35), "Under The Skin: Doug Bradley On Hellraiser" (HD 10:52), the archival featurette "Lost In The Labyrinth" (HD 17:03), deleted Surgeon scene, image gallery and trailers and TV spots.

The 1.85:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, photographed on Fuji 35 mm film stock using the Panavision Panaflex Platinum camera systems and sourced from a newly restoration in 4K master Digital Intermediate format by Arrow Films. Film grain is smooth but more apparent such as mosquito noise, yet not generally objectionable. The color palette exhibits saturated hues, yet naturalness generally prevails. Color depth is excellent as is subtle hue nuances. Primaries pop such as blood reds. The production appears more stylistic. HDR contrast is excellent with deep blacks, revealing shadow and naturally illuminated white levels. Resolution is superb with fine detail exhibited in facial features, slimy and bloody monster bodies, objects, structures and costume fabrics, This is a generally good looking filmic picture that will please fans of gore. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-Hd Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack can be dynamic sounding with intense orchestral music that envelops the soundfield with an aggressive surround presence, and as well, sound effects. The gothic score is heard across the soundstage with extension to the surround to envelop the soundfield. Bass extension and weight remains restrained, though can at times intensify. Atmospherics sound realistic as do often sound effects that provide some directionalization. Dialogue sounds intelligible with generally good spatial integration. This is an effectively crafted holosonic® soundtrack with a dynamic palette of sound effects that excite the frights. (Gary Reber)