Maniac Cop 2 debuts on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground, a real treat for horror fans to finally get proper audio and video transfers to go along with a well-packed selection of bonus features.
Maniac Cop 2: Collector’s Edition (1990)
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller, Crime
Blue Underground | R – 87 min. – $29.98 | November 19, 2013
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: William Lustig
Writer(s): Larry Cohen (written by)
Cast: Robert Davi, Claudia Christian, Michael Lerner, Bruce Campbell, Laurene Landon, Robert Z’Dar, Clarence Williams III, Leo Rossi
DISC INFO:
Features: Audio Commentary, Featurettes, Deleted Scene, Poster & Still Gallery, Isolated Music Track, Theatrical Trailers, DVD Copy
Number of Discs: 2
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 7.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1 EX), English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.85
Subtitles: English SDH, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Disc Size: 42.9 GB
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A, B, C
THE MOVIE – 3.75/5
Plot Synopsis: The “Maniac Cop” is back from the dead and stalking the streets of New York once more. Officer Matt Cordell (ROBERT Z’DAR) was once a hero, but after being framed by corrupt superiors and brutally assaulted in prison, he sets out on a macabre mission of vengeance, teaming up with vicious serial killer Steven Turkell (LEO ROSSI) to track down those that wronged him and make them pay… with their lives! Despite denials of his existence from higher-ups, Detective Lieutenant Sean McKinney (ROBERT DAVI) investigates and attempts to track down Cordell and Turkell before the body count skyrockets.
The cast of this fun horror-thriller includes: Claudia Christian (The Hidden), Michael Lerner (Barton Fink), Robert Z’Dar (Tango & Cash), Leo Rossi (Halloween II), Charles Napier (The Silence of the Lambs) and Laurene Landon (Hundra) and Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead) reprising their roles from the first Maniac Cop film.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.5/5
This release comes with a nice matted, title embossed slip cover and inside the retail DVD Copy.
Audio Commentary – Producer/Director William Lustig and Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive) as they discuss Maniac Cop 2 and all of its intricacies, problems and other tid-bits. Nothing outstanding but it’s an enjoyable track nonetheless.
Back on the Beat: The Making of Maniac Cop 2 (46:52; HD) is an extensive behind-the-scenes retrospective, produced by Blue Underground, including new interviews with the people involved (director William Lustig, writer Larry Cohen, actors Robert Davi and Claudia Christian, et al) in the project. There aren’t many new movies which get this kind of treatment…
Cinefamily Q&A with Director William Lustig (28:36; HD) – Filmed at some small theater, fans of Maniac Cop 2 asked questions of Lustig following a screening. Lustig for his part provides some interesting and compelling stories.
Deleted Scene (1:31; HD) is a throwaway scene with newscast interviews.
Also included at four Theatrical Trailers (International, UK, French, German) and a Poster and Still Gallery.
VIDEO – 4.75/5
Blue Underground discriminates Maniac Cop 2 onto the citizen population causing mass havoc and chaos on the streets. The 1080p high-def transfer, presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio, looks absolutely amazing front to end. There are no big signs of artifacts, dust marks or pixilation and while this probably got an updating, there’s still some natural film grain and the detail levels are stunning.
AUDIO – 5.0/5
Not only did the picture get an upgrade, BU didn’t skimp on the audio either pumping up from what I assume was a regular Dolby Digital 2.0 track. The disc comes with a robust and depth-filled 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track which shows off crisp and clear dialogue while the numerous number of gunshots help round out this lossless track.
OVERALL – 4.25/5
Overall, Maniac Cop 2 debuts on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground, a real treat for horror fans to finally get proper audio and video transfers to go along with a well-packed selection of bonus features. At a good price, currently under $18, this is well worth purchasing and adding to your collection; I know it will sit somewhat prominently in mine…
Published: 11/25/2013