Slumber Party Massacre II 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Slumber Party Massacre II 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 16, 2023

1982’s “The Slumber Party Massacre” made a little profit for executive producer Roger Corman, and he’s never been one to turn down easy money. 1987’s “Slumber Party Massacre II” took some time to reach screens, but it remains interested in the same idea of vulnerable women stalked by a madman with an enormous power drill, eager to terrify all. It’s a sequel in some ways, but writer/director Deborah Brock aims to work on her own ideas for the follow-up, turning a slaughterama into a study of nightmares and band practice, playing with reality to best emphasize the craziness of her ideas. It’s certainly more of the same, especially in the final act, but “Slumber Party Massacre II” is passably weird for the most part, which is a nice change of pace, and Brock oversees a slightly more active endeavor, learning from the shortcomings of the original effort.

Years ago, Courtney (Crystal Bernard) survived an attack from the Driller Killer, and now she’s struggling to live like an average teen, watched carefully by her protective mother, Mrs. Bates (Jennifer Rhodes). Courtney’s sister, Valerie, didn’t fare as well after experiencing horrific violence, sent to live at a psychiatric facility, which fills her younger sibling with a great deal of shame and fear. Courtney has an active social life, forming a band with her friends, including Amy (Kimberly McArthur), Sheila (Juliette Cummins), and Sally (Heidi Kozak), with the foursome making plans to spend a weekend at a condo owned by Sheila’s father. Traveling to the destination for relaxation and band rehearsal, the teens are soon joined by boyfriends T.J. (Joel Hoffman) and Jeff (Scott Westmoreland), while Matt (Patrick Lowe) has eyes for Courtney, hoping to connect with her. The mood is ruined by Courtney’s active mind, which is plagued with nightmares concerning the return of a new Driller Killer, making the guitarist seem mentally unstable as she experiences wild visions of death.

While cast members from “The Slumber Party Massacre” don’t return, the sequel picks up the story years later, with Courtney, a supporting player in the first film, now the lead, with the extent of her trauma the focal point of Brock’s screenplay. Courtney has an understandably cautious mother, but teen interests are taking command of her life, finding time with her band most important to the girl, while Matt’s arrival on the scene stirs something deep within her. Brock creates a defined female POV for “Slumber Party Massacre II,” getting into the folds of Courtney’s desires, which infiltrate her dreams, but darkness is also present, emerging in the form of a new Driller Killer who looks like a ’50s greaser, sings rockabilly songs, and carries a hair metal guitar with a massive drill attached. Brock certainly captures attention with this creation, which is miles away from the murderous threat of the previous feature.

“Slumber Party Massacre II” builds on the idea of Courtney’s shattered mind, with the teenager fighting her nightmares, which grow in intensity as the story unfolds, playing into a theme of sexual anxiety that carries throughout the feature. There are one too many dreamscape freak-outs in the effort, but Brock delivers some gore to liven things up, showcasing drilled bodies and assorted visions, including Courtney being attacked by a chicken from a refrigerator. There’s music as well, with a few band performances bringing some pop brightness to the movie, and the Driller Killer gets a chance to showcase his entertainer skills in the final showdown, adding a musical number where one least expects it.

Slumber Party Massacre II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Slumber Party Massacre II" was originally brought to Blu-ray by Shout Factory in 2017, and it returns to disc with a UHD release, with the original cut of the picture sourced from a "new 2022 4K scan." The Dolby Vision viewing experience works with a brightly shot feature, favoring lively interior design choices and paint hues, with appealing highlights throughout. Skin tones are natural, and costuming delivers healthy primaries, working with period style that favors hotter colors, including pinks and blues. Blood red is rich. Greenery is exact. Climatic fantasy lighting is also eye-catching, blasting through with greens and reds. Detail is excellent, examining skin textures and fibrous outfits. Decorative additions are open for inspection, and the movie's rare visits outside retain depth. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity for the climax. Grain is adequately resolved. Source is in good condition.

Slumber Party Massacre II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA delivers crisp dialogue exchanges, which emerge from a variety of performance speeds and choice. Intelligibility is ideal, balanced well with scoring cues, which support suspense and nightmare activity with satisfactory instrumentation. More pronounced are soundtrack selections and band performances, which retain sharpness. Sound effects are active, with primary focus on the whirring of the guitar drill.

Slumber Party Massacre II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Commentary features writer/director/producer Deborah Brock, producer Don Daniel, and story editor Beverly Gray.

Blu-ray

• Unrated Cut (85:23, SD) represents an attempt to assemble the most complete version of "Slumber Party Massacre II," using footage from VHS releases and even trailers to help fill out this patchwork endeavor, which adds roughly ten minutes to the run time.

• Commentary features writer/director/producer Deborah Brock, producer Don Daniel, and story editor Beverly Gray.

• "Sleepless Nights: Revisiting 'Slumber Party Massacre II'" (19:38, SD) is a 2010 making-of, featuring interviews with production coordinator Kathleen Courtney, writer/director/producer Deborah Brock, "Slumber Party Massacre" director Amy Holden Jones, assistant director Don Daniel, special makeup F/X artist James McPherson, Wednesday Week singer Kristi Callan, and actors Scott Westmoreland, Jennifer Rhodes, and Heidi Kozak. Production origins are recalled, with Jones passing on the project to make more respectable fare, allowing producer Roger Corman to offer Brock the gig. With the movie already presold across Europe, Brock was faced with an interesting creative challenge, tasked with creating a script for the sequel, free to take it anywhere she wanted. "Don't Let Go" was the original title of the project, with Brock emphasizing a sisterhood element in the story. Offered a tiny budget, the helmer had to work within typical Corman limitations, managing to find her own way through the process, including the hiring of a band to provide music for the characters. Casting challenges are highlighted, with the interviewees discussing character choices and nudity concerns, and the demands of makeup are revealed. Also included in the discussion is the fate of the drill guitar.

• Image Gallery (7:53) collects publicity shots, BTS snaps, film stills, and VHS art and ads.

• And a Video Trailer (2:02, SD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:49, SD) are included.

Slumber Party Massacre II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Slumber Party Massacre II" is weird, which is a good thing, and it's livelier than the 1982 effort, finding Brock committed to a tighter pace and level of danger, while also playing plenty of psychological games to keep viewers disoriented. Everything falls into formula in the last 20 minutes, but the journey to a conclusion has a few ghastly visions and low-budget moviemaking craft, offering a semi-fun ride for those who can't get enough of screaming victims. Drill bit length remains about the same, but the vibe of "Slumber Party Massacre II" is different, which is welcome.