Despite these qualms it is actually quite an accomplishment that the transfer looks this good. In the opening scenes of the movie we are treated to great looking chase sequences, bright screen filling explosions and textures that pop. Danny Trejo looks especially craggy in this film and that is thanks to the great video transfer.
The Audio
Like the video transfer the audio is very well handled and this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is quite punchy and actually made me enjoy scattered parts of the movie. The dialogue is well handled and crisp and the bass is well handled with loud deep throoms shaking the floor.
The rear channel mix is the most, err, verbose one I have heard and very ambitious. The rear mix is very active and unbelievably at times more active then the front channels. The audio sounded great but at times it was distracting hearing much more from the rear speakers then the front ones. The soundtrack does get overdone at times, but overall it is well implemented and like the video transfer far better quality then the movie itself.
The Extras
Unsurprisingly the extras are nothing, err, special on this Blu-ray release. Included in the package is the now almost standard digital copy as well as a DVD copy of the film. The extras, while vanilla, are actually not too bad, it is just a shame that they focus on a truly bad film.
- Feature Commentary: Director Roel Reine discusses how he entered the project and shares insight on many aspects of the films development. It is interesting to hear him discuss budget constraints, casting choices and how to get the most of a film with little resources. It is not the most interesting commentary you will hear, but does add some depth to the film.
- The Race Begins: The Evolution of Death Race (HD, 7 minutes): A fairly dry and marketing driven look at how the race started with the cast and crew.
- Cheating Death: The Stunts of Death Race 2 (HD, 10 minutes): I found this featurette actually quite funny because the stunts and fight scenes are actually quite terrible.
- Fast Cars and Firearms: The Cars of Death Race 2 (HD, 7 minutes): A glossy look at the car designs and details.
- Deleted Scenes (HD, 6 minutes): Normally deleted scenes are deleted for a reason, but these were not bad and could have been in the film proper.
- Deleted Shots Montage with Director's Introduction (HD, 6 minutes): A glossy look at some other shots that were not used in the film.
- BD-Live Functionality and News Ticker
- My Scenes Bookmarking
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Article comments
1 - Brian Unfried
I liked it better than the first. The only thing I didn't like was the title, it doesn't make sense to call it Death Race 2. Should have stuck with original title, Frankenstein Lives. Not a perfect movie, but still better than anything Roger Corman has done in over 20 years.