Evil Dead 2: Book Of The Dead 2: Special Edition: Divimax Series DVD Review

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Title: Evil Dead 2: Book Of The Dead 2: Special Edition Divimax Series

Region: One

Genre: Horror

Stars: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley, and Richard Domier

Writers: Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel

Director: Sam Raimi

Feature length: 84 minutes

Extras: Feature Length Audio Commentary With Writer-Director Sam Raimi, Star Bruce Campbell, Co-Writer Scott Spiegel, and Special Make-Up Effects Artist Greg Nicotero, "The Gore The Merrier" Featurette, “Evil Dead 2: Behind-The-Screams” Motion Photo Gallery By Tom Sullivan, Theatrical Trailer, Still Galleries, and Talent Bios.

Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English Dolby Surround 2.0

Subtitles: English Closed Captions

Packaging: Replica Of The Book Of The Dead Fleshy Packaging

Chapter Stops: 24

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo Surround Sound

Year of Theatrical Release: 1987/DVD Release: 2005

Theatrical Distributor: Rosebud Releasing Corporation

Home Video Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

The last DVD release of Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn” was all the way back in 2000 and surprisingly of all the films in the trilogy “Evil Dead 2” has had the least releases by Anchor Bay Entertainment. First there was a letterboxed DVD release followed by the THX certified anamorphic widescreen edition, which also featured a full screen (1.33:1) viewing option and was released in both a standard keep case as well as a limited edition collector’s tin. At the time of that DVD release I was so impressed with the THX certified picture quality that I stated that it was superior to the original version in nearly every way. Now Anchor Bay Entertainment has revisited “Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn” and this DVD edition is by far the best version fans can buy yet. A companion to “The Evil Dead: Book Of The Dead” set released a few years back, this edition of “Evil Dead 2” features a new replica of the “Book Of The Dead” complete with a bulging eye that when pressed in causes the book to literally scream. The illustrations have been lovingly recreated in th pages of the book and if you look closely at the lettering, one can see English words as if there might be a hidden message or something. I know what you are all thinking, “Get a life,” and while that would be a humorous hidden message, I think whatever might be there could actually be more substantial than that. The last page within the fleshy book packaging features a not from the man behind the book, Special Effects Artist Tom Sullivan. The DVD is included within a sleeve inside the book.

The new “Evil Dead 2: Book Of The Dead 2: Special Edition: Divimax Series” was created fro an all-new high definition transfer supervised by Sam Raimi himself. The picture is cleaner and brighter than the THX certified version and the English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack mix seemed a bit different too with certain sound effects like the yipping “Rotten Apple Head” demon sounding a bit more subdued than the previous version. The overall surround soundtrack is definitely a blast though with a nice full use of the front and rear surround channels. An English Dolby Surround 2.0 soundtrack and optional English Closed Captions for the hearing impaired are also encoded onto the dual layered disc.

Still the best part of the DVD is the feature length audio commentary with Writer-Director Sam Raimi, Star Bruce Campbell, Co-Writer Scott Spiegel, and Special Make-Up Effects Artist Greg Nicotero. These guys are having a ball and make listening and re-watching the film again just as enjoyable as watching the film with the film's normal soundtrack. Exclusive to this release is an interesting narrated photo gallery entitled “Evil Dead 2: Behind The Screams” (17:06) with Tom Sullivan.

Since this is from a new high definition transfer and not simply a reusing of the THX certified version, the (1.33:1) aspect ratio version has been dropped along with the preview for “Evil Dead: Hail To The King” video game though there is a trailer for the new “Evil Dead: Regeneration” videogame, which features the voice of Bruce Campbell as the ever resilient and sarcastic “Ash.” This trailer can be viewed individually or as part of a reel of trailers (6:04) that includes “The Evil Dead” and “Man With The Screaming Brain.” The 31 minute featurette entitled "The Gore The Merrier" is included and features behind the scenes videotaped footage from the set of "Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn" and the KNB Effects Group Specialists sharing anecdotes about the film's production. The theatrical trailer and two extensive still galleries are also presented along with Talent Bios for Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi. The interactive menus are well rendered and easy to navigate.

“Evil Dead 2: Book Of The Dead 2: Special Edition: Divimax Series” is available on DVD-Video now at retailers on and offline courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment.

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