The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
88
Studio and Year: Sony Pictures - 2013
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 106 minutes
Genre: Horror/thriller
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.39:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey
Directed by: James Wan
Music by: Joseph Bishara
Written by: Leigh Whannell
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: December 24, 2013
"It will take what you love most"
Film Synopsis:
The terrifying sequel to Insidious, follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.
My Take:
How deep into the darkness will you go to discover the truth? The terrifying sequel to Insidious follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. They must rely on familiar allies to exile the demons that follow them and unearth the secret before the evil continues its deadly rampage.
I loved Insidious and reveled in its suspense, effective scares and elevated creepiness that revolved around a familial based story where a couple struggle to save their son from the clutches of an invading evil. Everything worked, including the ending which most probably didn’t see coming. Fast forward three years and the release of Insidious chapter 2 which is a sequel to the original. Here the storyline picks up at the conclusion of the first film and delves deeper into the background of the haunting supplying connective tissue not only to the characters but a bit more on the purgatory known as the Further.
The story is penned by James Wan and Leigh Whannell with Whannell serving as screenwriter. Essentially the entire cast/crew returns which lends familiarity and continuity to the film. The integration of the two films is pretty seamless and you never feel as though you aren’t watching one film (meaning Insidious as one film). In this regard the narrative’s components work very well to effectively draw you in. The script covers the bases in terms of balancing the plot, back story and integrating the various elements of horror and mystery which branch in several directions. Whereas the first film definitely falls within the category of a horror movie Insidious chapter 2 feels more like a horror/mystery/thriller. I found that this watered down the conceptual foundation resulting in a decent film that really didn’t scare me all that much. I like the idea of having both films but the truth is that the first one easily stands on its own whereas the second doesn’t really. Hair raising scary or not Insidious chapter 2 is worth seeing and makes for a great companion to its predecessor.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Video: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Insidious Chapter 2 comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 25 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 2.1 Mbps.
This film’s elements aren’t lent to overly vibrant colors and high gloss video quality. Images tend to lean toward darker color schemes, and grittier textures that provide the look that the filmmakers strive for to drive the story’s elements. This is done to good effect. Shadow delineation is quite good and revealing of subtle details within dark backgrounds and low lighting sequences which gave those scenes better visual depth. Stable contrast and black levels allow scenes containing mixed content to appear dynamic with punchy dark highlights. Detail is rendered quite well with crisp textures and definitive resolution that brings forth subtle nuance within images onscreen. Colors are limited to darker tones with occasional splashes of vivid hues which stand out nicely against the film’s dark visual aesthetic.
The lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack has good dynamic range, detail rich clarity and makes ample use of the surround platform to drive the film’s elements. The detection of subtle background sounds, off camera cues and spatial dimension within the room’s acoustic environment is notable. Discrete rear channel activity isn’t extensive however the elements of fright provide an enriching level of immersion which is punctuated by palpably rich bass. Dialogue is firmly planted in the center channel and renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction. This surround mix capably handles the subtle intricacies thrown at by this excellent soundtrack as it augments the enjoyment of this film.
Bonus Features:
Final Thoughts:
Insidious chapter 2 is the sequel to 2010’s excellent Insidious which is a solid entry in the horror genre. This follow-up picks up exactly where the first left off and completes the story however it doesn’t achieve the same level of ghoulish horror. I did enjoy it but missed the chills and heightened sense of creepiness that I was hoping for. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring excellent high definition picture and sound coupled with a worthwhile supplemental package that provides plenty of insights from the cast/crew. If you’re a fan and own the first film this makes for a nice add on. If you haven’t seen either film I would recommend checking out Insidious first followed by Insidious chapter 2.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV8801 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (With Darbee video processing)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
88
Studio and Year: Sony Pictures - 2013
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 106 minutes
Genre: Horror/thriller
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.39:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey
Directed by: James Wan
Music by: Joseph Bishara
Written by: Leigh Whannell
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: December 24, 2013
"It will take what you love most"
Film Synopsis:
The terrifying sequel to Insidious, follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.
My Take:
How deep into the darkness will you go to discover the truth? The terrifying sequel to Insidious follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. They must rely on familiar allies to exile the demons that follow them and unearth the secret before the evil continues its deadly rampage.
I loved Insidious and reveled in its suspense, effective scares and elevated creepiness that revolved around a familial based story where a couple struggle to save their son from the clutches of an invading evil. Everything worked, including the ending which most probably didn’t see coming. Fast forward three years and the release of Insidious chapter 2 which is a sequel to the original. Here the storyline picks up at the conclusion of the first film and delves deeper into the background of the haunting supplying connective tissue not only to the characters but a bit more on the purgatory known as the Further.
The story is penned by James Wan and Leigh Whannell with Whannell serving as screenwriter. Essentially the entire cast/crew returns which lends familiarity and continuity to the film. The integration of the two films is pretty seamless and you never feel as though you aren’t watching one film (meaning Insidious as one film). In this regard the narrative’s components work very well to effectively draw you in. The script covers the bases in terms of balancing the plot, back story and integrating the various elements of horror and mystery which branch in several directions. Whereas the first film definitely falls within the category of a horror movie Insidious chapter 2 feels more like a horror/mystery/thriller. I found that this watered down the conceptual foundation resulting in a decent film that really didn’t scare me all that much. I like the idea of having both films but the truth is that the first one easily stands on its own whereas the second doesn’t really. Hair raising scary or not Insidious chapter 2 is worth seeing and makes for a great companion to its predecessor.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Insidious Chapter 2 comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 25 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 2.1 Mbps.
This film’s elements aren’t lent to overly vibrant colors and high gloss video quality. Images tend to lean toward darker color schemes, and grittier textures that provide the look that the filmmakers strive for to drive the story’s elements. This is done to good effect. Shadow delineation is quite good and revealing of subtle details within dark backgrounds and low lighting sequences which gave those scenes better visual depth. Stable contrast and black levels allow scenes containing mixed content to appear dynamic with punchy dark highlights. Detail is rendered quite well with crisp textures and definitive resolution that brings forth subtle nuance within images onscreen. Colors are limited to darker tones with occasional splashes of vivid hues which stand out nicely against the film’s dark visual aesthetic.
The lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack has good dynamic range, detail rich clarity and makes ample use of the surround platform to drive the film’s elements. The detection of subtle background sounds, off camera cues and spatial dimension within the room’s acoustic environment is notable. Discrete rear channel activity isn’t extensive however the elements of fright provide an enriching level of immersion which is punctuated by palpably rich bass. Dialogue is firmly planted in the center channel and renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction. This surround mix capably handles the subtle intricacies thrown at by this excellent soundtrack as it augments the enjoyment of this film.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) “Peripheral Vision: Behind the Scenes” -- Go on the set & see how the second installment was created – 15 minute featurette
- (HD) “Ghostly Transformation” – Discover how actors were transformed into ghosts in The Further through make-up effects – 7 minute featurette
- (HD) “Haunted Hospital: On Location” -- Cast & crew discuss what it’s like to film at a haunted location – 9 minute featuette
- (HD) “Leigh Whannell’s Insidious Journal” – A look at making the film through the perspective of writer/actor Leigh Whannell – 7 minutes
- (HD) “Work in Progress: On Set Q&A” -- Barbara Hershey, Patrick Wilson, Jason Blum, James Wan & Leigh Whannell discuss their experiences during filming – 23 minutes
- (HD) Insidious: Spectral Sightings 3-Part Webisodes -- Specs & Tucker find an unexpected ally in their early days as paranormal investigators
- Bonus DVD
- Ultraviolet Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
Insidious chapter 2 is the sequel to 2010’s excellent Insidious which is a solid entry in the horror genre. This follow-up picks up exactly where the first left off and completes the story however it doesn’t achieve the same level of ghoulish horror. I did enjoy it but missed the chills and heightened sense of creepiness that I was hoping for. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring excellent high definition picture and sound coupled with a worthwhile supplemental package that provides plenty of insights from the cast/crew. If you’re a fan and own the first film this makes for a nice add on. If you haven’t seen either film I would recommend checking out Insidious first followed by Insidious chapter 2.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV8801 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (With Darbee video processing)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package