Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Trilogy of Terror II Blu-ray Movie Review

Three fun and frightening stories in an anthology horror film

Sometimes a horror anthology is exactly what one needs for an entertaining experience in the realm of the unknown. Trilogy of Terror II is an engaging collection of three memorable short films. The feature is produced by Julian Marks (Dancing in the Dark, The Deliverance of Elaine).

As a follow up to the first Trilogy of Terror (which featured lead actress Karen Black in three different roles), the same concept is utilized for the sequel. Lysette Anthony now takes a turn in three unique stories: “The Graveyard Rats”, “Bobby”, and “He Who Kills” form the complete anthology.

The first segment is the short entitled The Graveyard Rats. The story of the film focuses on the drop-dead-gorgeous Laura ( Lysette Anthony) and her newfound troubles in the world. The “trophy wife” of a millionaire, the sinister husband (with his own peculiar interests) discovers footage of Laura engaging in sexual acts with another (much younger) man. Attempting to expose his wife as a gold-digger, the soap-opera events rapidly unfold to a sinister plot by Laura to betray (and ultimately murder) the spouse.

The conclusion involves grave-digging and a rabid host of killer rats who wish to feast. The screenplay to The Graveyard Rats was written by the brilliant Richard Matheson (Duel, Jaws 3-D) from a story by Henry Kuttner. While the first segment is easily the weakest of the three shorts, it's still an entertaining diversion with some interesting sequences and a fun concluding act that brings it all together in a neat little bow. The film is eerie without ever becoming frightening until the concluding moments. Not an essential watch but a worthwhile one as part of the anthology.

"It's a collector's edition. Should I keep it sealed?"

The second segment is entitled Bobby and it features both an original story and screenplay by Richard Matheson (again taking the lead as screenwriter). Matheson is great at writing fun scripts and Bobby showcases his talent even more than the first short. The film plays with its rather simplistic concept rather well. The story centers upon Bobby's mother (again performed by actress Lysette Anthony) as a mother who is desperate to bring her deceased son back from the dead. Turning to dark magic as a last resort, the mother uses a dark spell to try and bring back Bobby from the grave. Unfortunately, Bobby doesn't want to be brought back from the dead and though he does come back... this time he wants to kill her! On a dark and stormy night. As the saying goes, careful what you wish for.

The filmmaking in the second segment is exceptional. One of the aspects I enjoyed about it the most is the fantastic lighting. The cinematography by Elemér Ragályi (Deliver Us from Evil, The Wind Blows Under Your Feet) carefully maneuvers between hypnotic nighttime shots and startling brightness when lightning strikes. The artistry of the photography brings one closer to the story. Lysette Anthony gives a fantastic turn here and makes the experience a great one.

In the third and final segment of the anthology feature (entitled “He Who Kills”), the gorgeous Dr. Simpson researches a mysterious doll connected to a murder. As she explores the foundations of it's African roots, the lifeless doll turns away from its inanimate status of being to becoming a living creature which is capable of murder itself: lunging rapidly after Dr. Simpson, the killer doll carries a sharp knife while running at lightning speed after his prey. It's a slasher flick with a tiny little zombie-like doll wielding a psychopathic knife.

William F. Nolan (Logan's Run, Burnt Offerings) and director Dan Curtis co-wrote the fun short together. It's off-the-wall zany and downright bizarre at times and that is exactly why it's so entertaining. From the eerie music score by Bob Cobert (Dark Shadows, Trilogy of Terror) to the tremendous effects by Rick Stratton, the concluding chapter in the “trilogy” anthology is the best of the bunch. Director Dan Curtis (Trilogy of Terror, Burnt Offerings) returns to his horror-roots (where he met great success with the Dark Shadows television series) with aplomb and invigorating gusto. While it's unlikely anyone would consider Trilogy of Terror II to be an example of “fine art” it's just as equally likely that most will find it to be a off-the-charts slice of entertaining 90's horror. Take a stab at it: Trilogy of Terror II is a worthwhile experience.

Trilogy of Terror II Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Trilogy of Terror II arrives on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded presentation. The film is presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The release features a new 2K scan which was derived from original camera negatives. However, there are several scenes in the film (including brief snippets interspersed throughout the three segments) which could not be found during the restoration efforts undertaken for the film. As no original footage could be located for these scenes, the footage is instead taken from standard-definition footage which has been edited into the main feature presentation seamlessly.

The standard resolution footage is most noticeable and distracting during the first of the three segments of the film: The Graveyard Rats has several sequences which have an inferior quality to them due to the lack of the original negatives for the footage. Both the second segment entitled "Bobby" and the concluding chapter "He Who Kills" are in considerably better shape overall with a more consistent high-definition presentation.

The good news is that the high-definition elements for all three segments are uniformly clean, sharp, and detailed with little to no signs of dirt, debris, and other print damage. The standard definition footage is somewhat jarring by comparison but the careful editing of footage (which during the first segment alternates back-and-forth shot to shot) showcases how dedicated the restoration team was to preserving the film despite the obvious limitations of the release. Trilogy of Terror II looks terrific in the moments where the new 2K scan shines (especially during the last segment of the film) but it isn't a perfect release. Take note.

Trilogy of Terror II Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release has an excellent DTS HD Master Audio presentation. The lossless sound quality on the presentation is truly outstanding. Unlike the inconsistent nature of the video presentation, the audio track manages to impress from start to finish. The track has excellent clarity and the dialogue comes through with crisp detail. The music score is effectively utilized and integrated into the sound mix. During the last of the three segments ("He Who Kills"), the audio track is especially inventive and involving with the zany sound effects of the killer-doll making the experience more exciting and rewarding. Optional English subtitles are provided.

Trilogy of Terror II Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth

Interview with Second Unit Director Eric Allard and Special Makeup Effects Artist Rick Stratton (HD, 17:36) features two creative individuals involved in the production of the Trilogy of Terror II film discussing their unique participation in the production development. The pair also discuss how they had worked together on previous big-budget films (doing effects work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 and others). The duo discuss their creative collaborations in designing the unique creature effects.

Interview with Lead Actress Lysette Anthony (HD, 16:00) features the star actress of the film delving into her fond memories from on-set (during the production of the film). It's a charming, fun, and essential interview for fans of the film. Anthony waxes nostalgia for the project and explores the behind-the-scenes production process and what it was like for her to work with director Dan Curtis.

Lastly, the release also includes a selection of trailers for other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Burnt Offerings (SD, 2:30), Parasite (SD, 1:27), Zoltan... Hound of Dracula (Dracula's Dog) (SD, 3:21), Night Angel (SD, 1:58), and Rawhead Rex (HD, 1:06).

Trilogy of Terror II Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Trilogy of Terror II is no masterpiece or forgotten gem. Yet it's a blast of entertaining short films told in the anthology film format. While there's no mistaking that this is a television-movie made at a lower budget, the filmmaking is zany, creative, and entertaining. Each of the three segments becomes increasingly more inventive and memorable.

The final story (entitled "He Who Kills") is a must-see horror short that makes the entire experience a worthwhile one. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray release is somewhat inconsistent. The film received a 2K scan derived from the surviving original elements. However, other sequences have been derived from inferior standard-definition masters due to a lack of original masters available. The release is therefore inconsistent and (occasionally) underwhelming.

The release is still worth owning for the best-available presentation to date, an absorbing collection of supplements, and for the zany creativity on display. While Trilogy of Terror II is never going to be a highly regarded classic, it's still worth a watch. Recommended.