WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Darkman II: The Return Of Durant
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 15 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Larry Drake, Kim Delaney, Reneé O’Connor, Lawrence Dane, Arnold Vosloo

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 4
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MCA/Universal Home Video
(Catalog Number): 42195
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 93
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 7/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Bradford May
(Screenplay/Written By): Steve McKay
(Story): Robert Eisele & Lawrence Hertzog
(Music): Randy Miller & Danny Elfman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Ian Brock
(Visual Effects): John Gajdecki Visual Effects
(Costume Designer): Noreen Landry
(Editor): Daniel Cahn, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors): Craig Berkey
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Sam Raimi & Robert Tapert
(Co-Producers): David Eick
(Producers): David Roessell

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.78:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on the characters created by Sam Raimi, Darkman II: The Return of Durant is the action-packed sequel to Darkman, but directed by Bradford May and executive produced by Sam Raimi. The crime-fighting Darkman returns starring Arnold Vosloo, and Larry Drake reprises his role as the sadistic villain Robert G. Durant. Dr. Peyton Westlake/Darkman enlists the help of a fellow scientist who may have discovered the secret to making him whole again. But a tragic turn of events causes him to relive the nightmare that disfigured him, and the chilling realization that Durant, thought to be dead, is all too much alive. He pursues Durant with a vengeance, determined to end Durant’s evil underworld.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture is matted at 1.78:1. The picture is generally not as sharp as the original but nonetheless detailed. Fleshtones, however, are slightly hued toward yellow and the overall picture is dark in appearance and some noise is apparent in the darker scenes.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is aggressively surround enveloping with effective stereo sound effects and a music score that provides subtle ambience. Dialogue is well integrated.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: