Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		2.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

Poison Ivy 2: Lily Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 18, 2019

Much like Drew Barrymore, Alyssa Milano was hunting for a different image during the 1990s, working to lose the brightness of her “Who’s the Boss?” years, entering the seemly world of B-movie entertainment to redirect her career. 1996’s “Poison Ivy II: Lily” wasn’t offering an acting challenge, but it did gift Milano an opportunity to continue her work in seductive endeavors, picking up the “Poison Ivy” brand for a spiritual sequel that attempts to be a little more sympathetic to the ways of sexual gamesmanship and the creation of identity.

Lily (Alyssa Milano) is new to Los Angeles, hoping to experience an art education from Professor Donald (Xander Berkeley), a frustrated painter and serial adulterer. While Lily is drawn to the raw appeal of housemate Gredin (Johnathon Schaech), she’s targeted for seduction by Donald, who wants to possess his student. Finding a diary from Ivy in her closet, Lily is inspired to generate a new identity, losing her timidity as she experiences a sexual awakening that also threatens her sanity.

Barrymore’s character in “Poison Ivy” was a damaged girl, but also one aware of her predatory abilities, using her comely appearance to achieve a domestic takeover. For “Poison Ivy II: Lily,” the titular student isn’t wicked, relocating to L.A. from the Midwest, with her eyes opened to the ways of art and attractive men. The screenplay cooks up Ivy’s hidden diaries and nude photos as a way to connect the pictures (maybe, as the continuity doesn’t make sense), triggering a transformation that takes Lily from a shy young woman to a more confident alternative rock rebel, making the feature incredibly mid-90s in look and sound. Lilly’s move to a more sexualized position also catches male attention, with the bulk of “Poison Ivy II: Lily” detailing Gredin’s lustful appeal and Donald’s practiced moves on willing females, working to possess Lily while she becomes one of the family, even babysitting his daughter (Camilla Belle).

“Poison Ivy II: Lily” is presented in two versions: a Theatrical Cut (105:59) and an Unrated Cut (107:14).

Poison Ivy 2: Lily Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Much like the original feature, "Poison Ivy II: Lily" hasn't been freshly scanned for its Blu-ray debut. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation battles age, resulting in a slightly muddy viewing experience, with softness apparent throughout. Skin surfaces lack texture, along with costumes and interior decoration, which could use a sharper presence considering the film's interest in art and sin. Colors are muted, without compelling primaries, finding only sun-drenched vistas the most communicative with blues skies and greenery. Reddishness periodically invades, diluting some skintones. Delineation solidifies at times. Grain is thick and somewhat blocky. Banding is detected, along with mild judder. Unrated footage blends better into the sequel than the original, but a few jumpy frames identify the merging of sources.

Poison Ivy 2: Lily Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix presents "Poison Ivy II: Lily" with a more aggressive soundtrack presence, finding alternative rock cuts providing intended edge, while scoring needs retain their thinness with synth beats. There's a wider sense of life on the track, which samples a few moments of separation, but doesn't get too ambitious. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, capturing heated sensuality and louder argumentative moments. Sound effects are noted but never remarkable.

Poison Ivy 2: Lily Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:01, SD) is included.

Poison Ivy 2: Lily Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Potential for a proper obsession thriller is shot down fairly quickly in "Poison Ivy II: Lily." It's more of a softcore endeavor, with chunks of the runtime devoted to watching the lead character deal amorously with Grendin and Donald. Director Anne Goursaud at least tries to pretend she's taking the material seriously, striving to use the influence of art and creativity as an aphrodisiac, with such skill also a prison for Donald. However, teases of bare flesh and awkward cinematography wins out in the end, giving the longest "Poison Ivy" installment the least to do. Long gone are psychological interests of the original effort, replaced here with Zalman King-style dreamscapes and melodramatic challenges for underwritten characters.