Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 14, 2023

Director Charles B. Pierce had a dream to make movies, putting in the effort to bring 1972’s “The Legend of Boggy Creek” to life. It was a regional creation intended for a small audience, but the feature managed to capture viewer imagination, with ticket-buyers choosing to believe in the “true” story of the “Foulke Monster,” caught up in a mild horror show created for the drive-in circuit. The docudrama was a hit for Pierce, but he wasn’t interested in jumping right into a sequel, with another creative team eventually leaping on the opportunity with 1977’s “Return to Boggy Creek,” offering the acting services of Dawn Wells and Dana Plato instead of a fierce Bigfoot adventure. After feeling around a helming career throughout the 1970s and early ‘80s (including “The Norseman” and “The Town That Dreaded Sundown”), Pierce finally gave in, returning to the saga with 1984’s “Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues,” out to make sure everything goes his way by writing, directing, and starring in the endeavor (joined by his son and wife). “Boggy Creek II” is a homegrown effort, with Pierce trying to solidify himself as a cinema star without paying attention to the realities of acting, letting the picture slowly slide into goofiness, which isn’t entirely unappealing, especially for those aware of the film’s silliness and vanity-driven production goals. Die-hard “Boggy Creek”-ers may find themselves horribly disappointed by this nutty follow-up.

In the wilds of Southern Arkansas, a creature lives in the swampland, with this Bigfoot encountering various humans over the years, becoming a figure of horror for some, and fantasy for others. Brian (Charles B. Pierce) is a professor of anthropology at the University of Arkansas, called into action when Bigfoot is spotted again, causing trouble with unusually violent behavior. Brian gathers his team, with students Tim (Chuck Pierce), Tanya (Serein Hedin), and Leslie (Cindy Butler) joining the professor as they travel to swampland in Texarkana, driving through Bigfoot country. Along the way, Brian shares encounters with the creature he’s learned about, providing some information about the volatility of the beast and its disdain for humans. The gang also meets with locals, zeroing in on a prime location to set up sensors and finally capture evidence of Bigfoot. However, such science is interrupted by mishaps, forcing Brian to stay focused on the mission, learning more about the monster’s viciousness as the team gets closer to a sighting.

Bigfoot’s appetite is presented right away in “Boggy Creek II,” with the creature enjoying a deer breakfast, capably destroying its prey before returning to the woods. While Bigfoot is the subject of the movie, the beast isn’t really prioritized in the screenplay, which makes more room for Brian, an educated man turned monster hunter. Such a quest interrupts his college football time, as “Boggy Creek II” spends a lengthy scene at a local game, promoting the stadium-filling triumphs of the University of Arkansas before the plot is put in motion. Brian’s A-Team for the job includes the freshman enthusiasm of Tim, who barely tolerates an existence that involves wearing a shirt. Tanya is a more fashion-forward type. And there’s Leslie, who’s a complainer despite volunteering to go on the quest, with Brian caught between ogling the character and showing open disdain for her.

The team travels into the deep south parts of the deep south, encountering locals who openly mock the mission, putting Brian on edge. The gang also visit an abandoned farm on the hunt for clues, quickly attacked by a rabid dog, forcing Brian to pick up a gun and defend lives. Tourism is entertaining, but “Boggy Creek II” also spends time with Brian’s stories, where he regales the students with tales of monster attacks and near- misses. He even goes gross-out to lighten the mood, with one encounter involving an outhouse and a frightened man covered in feces. The university squad eventually sets up camp in the woods, arranging sensors and monitoring movement on a computer, with scenes of technological surveillance and panic eerily similar to ones found in James Cameron’s “Aliens.”

“Boggy Creek II” has the good sense to keep up with strange encounters, never letting the picture slip into stasis, but it comes close a few times, most directly in a sequence where Leslie looks to ditch the guys with Tanya, taking off in a jeep that can’t handle the extreme muddiness of the area. It’s a dud idea, but that’s not to suggest there’s strong filmmaking here. Pierce merely entertains with his grab bag of experiences, watching the director work out his love for “Jaws” with a recreation of panic at a swimming hole, and there’s prime time with the locals, including Crenshaw (Jimmy Clem), a Hillbilly Jim lookalike who’s fond of Tanya and defensive around Brian when questioned about his experience with Bigfoot. Because if there’s one thing we all should know by now, it’s that you never go messin’ with a country boy.

Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of "35mm archival positive materials." There's some roughness to the viewing experience, especially in the first reel of the movie, which has plenty of scratches and evidence of damage. It clears up soon after, but wear and tear sustains throughout, including the occasional jumpy frame. Detail is acceptable, providing a passabe view of fibrous outfits and skin surfaces, while Bigfoot particulars are darker, retaining an enigmatic appearance while also dealing with slightly heavier blacks at times. Arkansas tours are dimensional, with the rural playground open for study, and cabin interiors retain depth and disrepair. Colors are successfully managed, offering strong primaries, making red hats bright and period costuming rich. Greenery is lush. Skin tones are natural. Grain is nicely resolved.

Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix also encounters some first reel damage, but the listening experience improves as it goes. It's a simple track, with dialogue exchanges prioritized, offering intelligibility with a range of performance choices and thick accents. Scoring supports with decent instrumentation. Sound effects register as intended.

Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features cryptozoology author David Coleman.

• A trailer isn't included on this release.

Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Boggy Creek II" really is the Charles B. Pierce Experience, with the screenplay keeping Brian the smartest man in any room, even when he's clearly not. He's the hero of the story, ultimately assigning himself some heavenly nobility in the benevolent conclusion, which is hilarious to see, and Pierce definitely doesn't have the acting chops to support the feature, joined by other untested actors. The picture isn't a creative achievement, and it may send some viewers to the stop button before the first act is over, but there's a compelling weirdness to the whole thing, from the egos on display to sequences that celebrate local color. "Boggy Creek II" is oddly watchable, definitely ready for any Bad Movie Night selection, with Pierce looking to make himself the star of the brand name, putting Bigfoot in a supporting role. That kind of vanity almost needs to be seen to be believed. Again, this isn't quality filmmaking, but there's a certain charm in the way the production sets out to make a sequel that's more of a home movie for the Pierce Family.