Blair Witch 2 - Book Of Shadows - Special Edition 2 disc set [DVD] [2000]

My expectations for the second Blair Witch film as soon as I heard once was planned was simply that we were going to actually SEE something this time around. "The Blair Witch Project" is one of the great shaggy dog stories of all time. You keep waiting for something big to happen and it really never does. A ghostly white figure in the distance would have been something to freak everybody out, but the two big moments of that first film come down to untying a dirty bundle (and saying to yourself "ewww...what the hell are those things?" because you are not sure) and a guy standing in a corner (which is set up by the only post production bit of filming in the movie). So, I figured that like the difference between "Halloween" and "Halloween II," we would be seeing a lot more in "Book of Shadows." While this is certainly true on one level, in terms of half naked bodies at least, this sequel ends up resembling "Halloween III," the infamous horror film sequel that had pretty much nothing to do with the original. Think about it: take away the opening of this film where the Blair Witch tour begins and the connections between the two films becomes extremely tenuously, especially once these poor young things end up holed up in a building rather than being lost in the woods.

Yes, "Book of Shadows" certainly has a more explicit punch line than "The Blair Witch Project," but once again you end up sitting there going "Wha-at?" This is not only becomes the film has been messing with your mind (seeing is not to be confused with believing), but also because whatever evil is behind the bad things that happen in this film is clearly not the same evil that was behind the first one. You have to admit that there is a qualitative difference between hanging stick figures from trees in the deep woods or leaving a bunch of cut up corpses on Coffin Rock and the mondo mind-bending that happens in this film. However, I do have to admit that there was one other good idea it this film, which was that this group does indeed find some film of their jaunt through the woods: but it is of themselves doing weird, wild, wacky things the night before that none of them remember. Unfortunately, this is not a set up for something great, but rather a clue as to what is "really" going on. After this effort it should be impossible for them to come up with a "Blair Witch 3" off of this one, which is no big loss. The original has its nice little niche in horror film history and that will just have to do

The Plot : 4 people (Steven, Trysten, Kim and Erica) are led by a tour guide (Jeff) on a Blair Witch Hunt. After partying till late they wake up and find their equiptment trashed and their belongings in shreds. They then try to descover what happened. One of the best features of this film is the soundtrack featuring songs by Poe, Marilyn Manson, Nickleback, Godhead and At The Drive In.

DVD Special Features :-

The Secrets Of Esrever (Reverse) - After watching the film you will see a message and a few video clips, follow this, take down the letters and it points out ghostly goings on within the film.

Directors Commentary - Very good and informative, not just about the film but production etc as well.

2 "Documantaries" - One examines the man being put on trial (Jeff) and how the cas was being investigated and interviews. The other is about the 7 children that were murdered.

Trailers (2) - A teaser trailer and a theatrical trailer.

Live Music Video - Godhead performing "The Reckoning" live at the Blair Witch Hunt.

Biographies - Biographis of stars, cast and crew etc.

Interviews - Interviews with 4 of the stars, short and sweet and quite informative.

Audio and Visual : The audio is fantastic and every ghostly voice sounds amazing, while the film is presented in the widescreen format.

All In All : A good solid film backed up by some amazing special features.