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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Dracula II: Ascension
Genre: Horror

Reviewed In Issue 73 (June 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Jason Scott Lee, Jason London, Craig Sheffer, Stephen Billington, Diane Neal, John Light, Brande Roderick, Khary Payton & Roy Scheider

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3
Internet Links
http://www.dimensionfilms.com

Special Features
Includes five cast audition segments, four deleted scenes, and audio commentary with director Patrick Lussier, screenwriter Joel Soisson, and special makeup effects supervisor Gary Tunnicliffe. There are also some horrifying up front ads.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Dimension Home Video
(Catalog Number): 29161
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

NA
(Retail Price): $29.99
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 85
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2002
(Theatrical Release): No
(Direct-To-Video Release): Yes
(DVD Release Date): 06/17/03
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Patrick Lussier
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
(Story): Subscribe Now!
(Music): Subscribe Now!
(Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
(Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Editor): Subscribe Now!
(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
(Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Picture Information

(Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Sound Information

(DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
(DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:


DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD exhibits a picture that is a visual feast for horror fans. Viewed in a completely blackened room (of course), the expectedly dark picture offers excellent shadow delineation. Colors are nicely balanced, with accurate fleshtones, rich red blood, and deep, endless blacks. At times, contrast can seem just a bit low. Unfortunately, edge enhancement can be a problem with this title, but pixelization is limited. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack offers a powerful, spatially energetic listening experience, as might be anticipated. The audio does get loud at times, and with some characteristic midrange emphasis, can sound somewhat brittle and strident. The dialogue is forward-sounding and can sound a bit harsh. This is one of the less common soundtracks of today that would certainly call for the use of re-equalization, or otherwise significant taming of the master volume control. Otherwise, the soundstage presentation is abundantly immersive, involving and expansive. There