Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Happy Death Day 2U Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 17, 2019

It was a quick turnaround for Happy Death Day 2U, the sequel to the moderately well received and undeniably unique Happy Death Day, that picture (and this one) a Slasher film combined with Groundhog Day that pitted a teen named Tree (as in the Apple doesn't fall far from) against not only a bad guy with a knife but also time itself, caught up in a loop that forced her to repeat her "death day" -- with variations, of course -- with each and every demise. The sequel, which arrives less than 16 months after the original, follows the same basic story with the same core characters, this time shaking things up by forcing Tree to not just repeat her day but to do so in an alternate dimensions where more than her life is at stake.

At Bayfield University, in its Connors Science Center, in Quantum Mechanics Lab 1 to be precise, a radical science experiment has gone awry, causing power outages around the school. Bayfield’s dean shuts the project down, deeming it a failure and giving the students precious little time to wrap things up. One of the students, Ryan (Phi Vu), begins receiving text messages showing him at distance and only a moment ago in time. Moments later, a masked killer stabs him to death. But all is not lost. He wakes up in the same place and at the same time as on the morning of his demise. Fortunately, his roommate is none other than Happy Death Day’s Carter (Israel Broussard) who is busy making out with Happy Death Day’s Tree (Jessica Rothe) who immediately recognizes what's going on with poor Ryan and catches him up on everything that’s happened, and will happen.

But it is not long until it is Tree who finds herself back in the time loop which, just for fun and thanks to Ryan’s science experiment, adds a new dimension -- literally -- to her dilemma. Ryan quickly informs Tree of the theoretical possibilities of the “Multiverse Theory” which prove true when Tree encounters her deceased mother at lunch with her father. As she deals with the new fears and challenges of a second round against the babyface masked killer, Tree is left with an impossible choice as the only option for closure in her new dilemma against an old foe and in a familiar battle.

The film does not lack the original's spark since it's essentially a more convoluted regurgitation thereof, but that spark doesn't shine nearly as brightly. While enthusiasm is certainly high in all areas of the production, there's an overwhelming feel of familiarity that the filmmakers cannot overcome in the same way someone like Wes Craven achieved in making his Scream sequels. Happy Death Day 2U is too reliant on the periphery to carry it -- lame secondary stereotype nerd characters who have been seen in a hundred different movies in the last half-decade, a convoluted plot involving science run amok -- rather than building characters with any reasonable depth or even banking on the kills to prop the picture up. The former does at least work to some degree as Tree deals with her mother's return and uses the time she has with her, however much time that will be, to earn the motherly advice she never received after her mother's passing. The film offers a few good scenes featuring them sharing in intimate conversations which are, of course, abruptly upended by plot necessities and conveniences. The film's violence is incredibly tame by any Horror standard, which only further moves the focus towards the parts of the film that the filmmakers get right and the parts that they get wrong.

Happy Death Day 2U Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The digitally sourced production translates extremely well to Blu-ray. All of the pieces are in order, including vibrant colors and high yield textural clarity on a shot-by-shot basis. Contrast has been boosted up a bit, giving nearly every hue an unmistakable increase in zest that lends to the movie a mildly hyperrealistic appearance. Lips and eyes really pop and environmental elements -- natural and manmade, inside and outside -- also present with intense saturation. Textures are rock-solid. The frame is tack-sharp throughout. Facial features are a delight, clothes are crisply defined, and everything from dorm room and science lab trinkets to broad exterior shots hold clear and highly detailed. A bit of noise appears in various low light situations, which is entirely normal for a digital production (though there is some densely visible noise in a few bright daytime shots, such as at the 27:13 mark when Ryan, Carter, and Tree are purposefully walking across campus). Still, the image suffers from no other source or encode eyesores. It would have been fun to see the results on UHD and how HDR could have improved on the bright colors around the school and the intense illumination from the device in the science lab, but the Blu-ray is plenty adequate.

Happy Death Day 2U Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Happy Death Day 2U's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a well-rounded and highly complimentary listening experience. Listeners will appreciate quality environmental sound elements, including cafeteria din in chapter two and at a basketball game in chapter three, the latter of which also offers some of the best surround implementation in the film when an alarm blares mid-game and a voice orders students to evacuate, both emanating from a firm rearward position. The low end engages when the machine blasts in chapter four with a strong, positive rush through the listening area. Such occurs a few times, each with the same intensely deep low end component. General action effects -- gunshots, crashes, and the like -- offer good, not exceptional, depth and detail. Musical definition is strong, wide, and presents with a positive rear compliment. Dialogue is true to natural positioning, clarity, and prioritization.

Happy Death Day 2U Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Universal's Blu-ray release of Happy Death Day 2U contains a gag reel, deleted scenes, and a trio of short featurettes (and a new menu screen layout that places the bonus features in vertically aligned video boxes on the right-hand side). A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Gag Reel (1080p, 2:35): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• Deleted Scene (1080p, 2:15): One scene not provided any identifying markers.
• The Never-Ending Birthday (1080p, 2:46): Cast camaraderie amongst new and returning actors, the idea for the sequel, this film's comedic tones, the film's multi-dimensional setting, how everything about the film is bigger, the emphasis on science, and more.
• Web of Love: Tree's Nightmare (1080p, 1:33): Danielle and Carter's relationship in this film and Carter's anger at the situation. Also: character turns in this dimension.
• Multiverse 101 (1080p, 2:04): A highlight reel of the film's time loop scenes and details.

Happy Death Day 2U Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If there is another sequel to follow Happy Death Day 2U, it should totally be called Happy Death Day Dear Tr33-33 and the fourth should be titled And Many More From Channel 4. Here's hoping that the series doesn't stand pat and does something a bit more unique the third time around, because even if there are some narrative curves and heavier reliance on (tired and boring) humor in this one, there's an unmistakable feeling of déjà vu, and not just because of the repeating story angle. There's not much separating this film from the last, at least at the core. It's a little too reliant on formula, tinkering around the edges rather than trying to accomplish something more worthwhile. Still, it's a passable film and sequel both that fans of the original will want to visit. Whether there's a thirst for more afterwards remains to be seen. Producer Jason Blum has said that a sequel is not likely but not out of the realm of possibility, despite this picture making about 7x its budget at the box office. Regardless, Universal's Blu-ray is very good, offering the expectedly high quality video and audio presentations while offering a handful of extremely brief extras. Worth a look for those who enjoyed the original.