The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 - 4K Remastered Blu-Ray review

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre came out in 1974 it shocked audiences and went on to be called by some as one of the greatest horror movies ever made.

Director Tobe Hopper waited until 1986 to make a sequel for Cannon Films and did not want to copy the original premise.

The sequel sees Leatherface and Co. continue their murderous exploits but this time around, local DJ Stretch runs afoul of the family when she gets mixed up in the brutal slaying of two youngsters. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Lefty Enright (Dennis Hopper), is hell-bent on avenging the murder of his nephew Franklin, who perished in the original massacre.

Firstly, the tone of this sequel is all over the place, with lots of black humour mixed with some very disturbing scenes which do not gel well at all. Some of the acting is, at times, laughable and co-star Dennis Hopper is being well, Dennis Hopper, just going through the motions and in the latter half of the film, chewing the scenery.

The first film relied on tension and not gore to shock audiences but this time, with the help of special effects maestro Tom Savini, there is no shortage of blood and guts, and this is part of the problem.

Yes, it is disturbing, especially the scene where the girl DJ Stretch is found in the cellar of the demented family and is forced to wear her friend’s face as a mask. It is more disgusting than frightening and if you find that sort of thing entertaining then fine, but it was not for me.

The late Director Tobe Hooper certainly had lot of talent, but I think he worked best when some restrictions had to be made, either to get a rating, such as with Poltergeist or having to stay within the limits of a TV series, such as Salem’s Lot.

Some good aspects of the production are that the underground lair where the family live is like some carnival horror ride insane asylum, and there’s a lot of detail in the sets. The poor script and odd ending did not help matters.

The film, when released, was refused a certificate in the UK unless cuts were made, which the distributor refused to do. It was released unrated in America, which was unusual at the time, but this was to avoid the dreaded X rating. It has been available uncut in the UK for some time now, thankfully.

Now Arrow has released this new remastered 4K UHD and Blu-Ray, and it looks fabulous. A really gritty transfer but with a lot of detail. Audio is clear and serves the film well.

This release has a real slew of special features on disc 2 which include –

2-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

Limited edition packaging featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady and Dare Creative

Booklet featuring new writing by Johnny Mains, Anna Bogutskaya, Guy Adams and Neil Mitchell

Double-sided fold-out poster

Texas Battle Land theme park postcard

Chilli cook-off recipe card

Three double-sided collector’s postcards

DISC 1 – THE FILM

4K restoration from the original negative
High Deﬁnition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original lossless stereo 2.0 audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Commentary with director Tobe Hooper
Commentary with stars Bill Moseley, Caroline Williams and special effects legend Tom Savini
Commentary with cinematographer Richard Kooris, production designer Cary White, script supervisor Laura Kooris and property master Michael Sullivan

DISC 2 – BONUS FEATURES –

¹Are We Not Both the Living Dead?, a new visual essay by Scout Tafoya

You’ve Got Good Taste: Cannibal Camp and Perverse Parody, a new visual essay by Miranda Corcoran

Stretch Lives!, interview with Caroline Williams

Serving Tom, interview with makeup effects artist Gabe Bartalos

Texas Blood Bath, interview with makeup effects artist Barton Mixon

Remember the Alamo, interview with actor Kirk Sisco

Die Yuppie Scum, interview with actor Barry Kinyon

Extended interviews with Tobe Hooper and co-producer Cynthia Hargrave, from Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

It Runs in the Family, (plus outtakes!) on the ﬁlm’s genesis, making an enduring appeal

House of Pain, interview with makeup effects artists Mixon, Bartalos, Gino Crognale and John Vulich

Yuppie Meat, interview with actors Chris Douridas and Barry Kinyon