Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Babyface 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 21, 2018

“Babyface 2” offers the suggestion of a sequel to Alex de Renzy’s 1977 original, but the features are miles apart in story and tone. While the previous picture carried a bit more severity when it came to the sexual gamesmanship between men and women, the follow-up is more of a stand-alone endeavor, finding the writer/director in a particularly scattered mood as he hires half of the adult films stars from the 1980s to join what’s essentially a filmed party. Imagine if Robert Altman helmed a teen horndog comedy from the era, and that’s kinda, sorta how “Babyface 2” plays, putting in a group effort to detail a network of young(?) characters finding excuses to experience carnal pleasures in random locations.

Despite the presence of a narrator (Candie Evans), “Babyface 2” doesn’t have much use for a story. Instead, the picture goes for The Hang, focusing on collection of Southern California kids(?) enjoying one another during a particularly active summer day. The best de Renzy can do for a plot is found with Careena (Careena Collins), who’s joined a bachelorette party with her friends (including Kristara Barrington, Stacey Donovan, and Taija Rae), finding their jesting and teasing interrupted by a grotesque stripper (who else but Jamie Gillis) who’s also a warlock. I guess. The male teaser summons the power of Aphrodite, turning polite flirting into a full-out orgy, eventually attracting interest from Careena’s fiancé (Jerry Butler) and his band of bros (including Tom Byron, Kevin James, and Marc Wallace). Dark magic just happens, with the production welcoming the weirdness with a prolonged sequence of uncontrollable behavior, allowing the large cast to complete their professional duties, through de Renzy keeps the set active with high winds and flashes of light, offering a challenge to the actors, who probably aren’t used to gymnastic-style intercourse positioned in the middle of a demonic hurricane.

Babyface 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as "Newly scanned and restored in 2K from 35mm original camera negative," "Babyface 2" leaps off the screen during the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail is excellent throughout, surveying all types of skin particulars (graphic and otherwise), with the golden bodies on display looking sharp, also extending to costuming, which retain its fibrous qualities. Outdoor sequences preserve a dimensional view, and set decoration (including a poster for the original "Babyface") is open for study. Colors are defined and gorgeous, with primaries lush and more accelerated period hues coming through with authority. Greenery pops and skintones are natural, communicating a wide range of appeal (with the exception of Gillis). Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation is ideal. Source is in terrific shape, without pronounced damage.

Babyface 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is perhaps a bit more active than the average adult production, as the tale moves from a racetrack to a spa, and ultimately to a house party visited by demon powers. The essentials of performance are locked into place, with clear dialogue exchanges and defined sexual response. Music generates the appropriate mood, with stable instrumentation and respectful volume, never steamrolling over the sounds from the coupling. Rock music adds some heft. Sound effects are louder, creating intended chaos with black magic, but details are intact.

Babyface 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:18, HD) is included.

Babyface 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some ideas in "Babyface 2" are fairly unsettling, including the paring of James and Lois Ayres as teenagers(?) who sneak off to a remote shed and have sex on a bare mattress frequently used by their classmates. Ick. The rest of the feature is a lot more appealing and often amusing, with Gillis savoring every screen minute afforded to him to portray a vile, unshowered, cigar-sucking stripper in the most unappealing manner. There's also a special vibe to the effort, which often resembles many of the movies it's emulating, getting help from the enthusiastic ensemble and use of a sound- alike version of "Magic" by The Cars. There's no significant effort to tie the subplots together, with Evans acting more as storytelling spackle than a guide into the wilds of adolescent(?) hearts and pants. Still, de Renzy creates a lively atmosphere of partying, kink, and otherworldly forces, keeping lustful actions on the go while tending to an unexpected offering of demonology.