DVD REVIEW: ZOMBI 2 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (2 DISC SET)
DVD REVIEW: MEDIA BLASTERS [ 2004 ] 91'
DVD REVIEW: AVG. BITRATE: 9.52 Mb/sec
WTFFILM RATING:

I'll admit to not terribly liking ZOMBI 2 upon first seeing it - something about Fulci's style, the grating overdubbing, or the brutal violence just didn't sit well with me. Since first seeing it in 2002 my opinion has changed considerably, as my recent review of the film will attest. Previously available in foreign releases of varying quality and on two ANCHOR BAY DVDs (from 1998 and 2002 respectively) that featured murky dirty transfers, seeing the film via this special edition (or the companion BLUE UNDERGROUND single disc release) is nothing short of a revelation.

THE FEATURE PRESENTATION:

ZOMBI 2 has been transferred from its original 35mm elements for both this and the BLUE UNDERGROUND sister release - the results are something of a minor miracle, especially when seen in close conjunction with the old ANCHOR BAY release.

The film is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio (2.34:1) through a vibrant 16:9 enhanced transfer encoded at a frightfully high bitrate of 9.52 MB/sec. Contrast levels are consistent and look proper to WTFFILM's eyes and colors are very well represented - people used to seeing the old nearly sepia-toned prints may be shocked a bit to see the amount of color present in the film. Damage is minimal throughout and is limited to small amounts of speckling and a scratch here and there, most of which isn't noticeable unless viewing the film on a larger screen. Detail levels are nice and, in keeping with the rest of the release, are a big improvement over older editions of the film. A few seconds of additional footage are present on this disc over the older ANCHOR BAY editions - most of this seems to have been footage at either the beginning or end of reels and WTFFILM noticed no additional gore.

The only fault I can find here is that the transfer is interlaced instead of progressive scan - given the quality of the transfer otherwise, this is hardly a deal-breaker.

Audio options for this release trump anything present on prior editions - you can now listen to the film in either English or the intended Italian, with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo mixes (not to mention the original monophonic tracks) available in both languages. WTFFILM was surprised at how different the film was to see in Italian - the dubbing here is a vast improvement over the English one most will be accustomed to and omits the ridiculous, "they've just entered the building!" ending. All tracks are strong to my ears and its a pleasure to have so many options available.

The subtitles provided are a sticking point, however. Whoever produced them obviously preferred copying the English dialog verbatim rather than actually translating from Italian - an obvious case in point is when Al Cliver enters Dr. Menard's home and says the Italian equivilent of, "Mrs. Menard." This is translated in the subtitles as, "Is there anyone here?" Other than the issues with the subtitles and the fact that the transfer is interlaced, the feature presentation here is tops.

THE EXTRAS:

The big reason for buying this dual disc release as opposed to the single disc BLUE UNDERGROUND edition is obviously the extra features - MEDIA BLASTERS does not disappoint.

Disc one is graced with a number of extras, surprisingly. First up is a brief interview with actor Captain Hannigan (better known as the guy who plays the huge zombie encountered by the harbor patrol on the boat in the film's opening). Next up is a rather comprehensive image gallery for the film that presents all manner of still images and release material for the film. The commentary track by actor Ian McCulloch featured on the previous ANCHOR BAY editions is back - dull and difficult, at times, to listen to, there is still some good information buried here. An easter egg leading to the original opening Italian and alternate closing English credits for the film is available as well, and the official international release trailer for the film (under the title of ZOMBIES 2) rounds out disc one's extra features.

Disc two contains what is, undoubtedly, the release's most prominent extra feature - BUILDING A BETTER ZOMBIE: a 98 minute long monstrosity of a retrospective of the film featuring interviews with Gianetto Di Rossi, Fabio Frizzi, and an assortment of other crew present for the film's production. Al Cliver is the only cast member present and is only glimpsed briefly towards the feature's conclusion. A shorter featurette focused on the films costume designer (RAISING THE DEAD) is present as well. And if you ever wondered what it would be like to sit around with Dakar then there's a brief featurette entitled AN EVENING WITH DAKAR that's just the thing for you. Disc two is rounded out with a collection of trailers for other MEDIA BLASTERS zombie film releases.

The only gripe as far as extras are concerned is that the extensive promotional material present on the BLUE UNDERGROUND disc (trailers and radio spots) were not carried over here. Had they been this would easily have been five stars. That said, there's a lot here to see and MEDIA BLASTERS has done quite a job with it all.

THE OVERALL PRESENTATION:

ZOMBI 2 25TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTORS EDITION comes housed in a sturdy 2 disc Amaray case featuring the film's most famous zombie prominently on its front cover. Inside is a chapters listing that doubles as an advertisement for other MEDIA BLASTERS releases and a folded mini-poster copy of the original Italian insert for the film. Disc art is generally well done and appears to be laminated to the disc surface (I don't think I've ever held a pair of DVDs that look as waterproofed as these are). The FBI warnings and company logos that begin both discs can all be skipped (hooray!) so that impatiant viewers - myself included - can get right to the menus. As for the menus, they're well designed, attractive, and entirely functional. The whole package comes housed in an attractive cardboard slipcover.

THE VERDICT:

It's hard for WTFFILM to think that any fan of Fulci's work could be disappointed with this release (though a number are due to the clarity and brightness of the print). The film has, over the years, become a favorite of WTFFILM and this MEDIA BLASTERS 2 disc set was a wonderful upgrade from the old and murky ANCHOR BAY single disc release. Excellent stuff all around - this one comes recommended.