Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		1.5

Evil Bong 2: King Bong Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 1, 2021

Note: This film is available as part of The Evil Bong Stash Box.

Marijuana continues to be legalized or at least decriminalized in any number of states (including in Oregon, where I live), so the need for a "stash box" may be a relic of the past, but leave it to the venerable Charles Band to recycle his Evil Bong series with just such a packaging conceit, which does in fact contain two side "vestibules" to hold any, um, extras, with a center section given over to nine Blu-ray discs. Some of the Evil Bong series either have had or are about to have standalone releases, but those wanting the "whole joint" (to paraphrase Spike Lee's use of that term) may want to spring for this admittedly pricey set, if only to also get the stash box itself. The films themselves are a mixed lot, and some may feel that a generous supply of whatever is stored in those side compartments might need to be consumed in order to enjoy things appropriately.

As with some other films in this "franchise", Evil Bong 2: King Bong begins with what amounts to a "previously. . .on Evil Bong" recap, which probably establishes as quickly as anything the low scale sitcom ambience of virtually all of these films. In this particular outing, several of the characters from the first film (typically but not necessarily played by the same actor as in the first film) start exhibiting weird symptoms that seem to be pot related, albeit to epic proportions. This leads them to a supposed safari (or something like that) to South America to find a "cure". Instead they are confronted by a tribe of topless women (played by porn stars) and Eebee, the "evil bong". The term "sophomore slump" may come instantly to mind, except that would imply that the first Evil Bong film was some kind of major achievement. Band does attempt to start developing a "repertory company" of sorts with this feature, though performances are typically hyperbolic, with many of the performers clearly struggling to try to make laughs land. And that's the major problem with this film and so many of its "siblings": the comedy just isn't very effective, or at least very consistent.

Evil Bong 2: King Bong Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Evil Bong 2: King Bong is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Full Moon Features with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. There's next to no technical data available on any of the Evil Bong series that I've been able to dredge up, but I'm assuming that starting with this first sequel, digital capture instead of 35mm was utilized. This has a somewhat flat, sleek appearance that nonetheless boasts generally very good detail levels throughout. Some of the Bong World material, with its hazy quasi-iris effect, can obviously materially affect fine detail levels (at least in the corners of the frame), but all in all this presentation features secure detail and an appealingly robust palette. As with virtually all of the films in this series, some of the "special effects" can literally show their seams, but the practical elements at play look very good overall.

Evil Bong 2: King Bong Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

It's perhaps salient to note that not only are there only lossy Dolby Digital tracks on all of the discs in this set, in several instances the discs default to the Dolby Digital 2.0 track rather than the Dolby Digital 5.1 track. That may be a tacit admission that any surround activity on the 5.1 tracks can be less than "summer blockbuster" style, though this film at least benefits from its supposed jungle setting, which at least gives rise to occasionally decently placed ambient environmental effects. Aside from those moments of sonic spaciousness, the stereo track may well suffice perfectly well for many listeners. Dialogue, effects and score are all rendered with decent fidelity, within an understood lossy context. There are no subtitles available on any of the films in this set.

Evil Bong 2: King Bong Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Behind the Bong (SD; 12:25) has a bunch of goofy candid footage. Kind of hilariously, someone may have been imbibing a bit when they authored this disc, as this supplement goes into a loop mode if you try to chapter skip ahead out of it.


• Trailers includes Evil Bong 2: King Bong (HD; 1:11), along with trailers for other releases from Full Moon Features.

Evil Bong 2: King Bong Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Evil Bong 2: King Bong is unabashedly ridiculous, and of course that may very well appeal to those who may be in need of a "stash box". That said, for anyone looking for solid laughs, comedy is as lost in the jungle as the characters in this film are. Video quality is generally solid, but audio is lossy, and this disc has a relatively paltry supply of supplemental features, for those who may be considering making a purchase.