The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Part 2 Collector’s Edition
Buy this collector’s edition. Don’t even take a day and think it over. I know maybe you’ve already bought this one a couple of times. Maybe you even just recently bought the MGM Blu-ray that came out in 2012. Ditch it. The new 2K scan in Scream Factory’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 Collector’s Edition is far and above the best this film has ever looked. The colors are richer, the image clearer (grain well preserved), and the film flaws have been noticeably reduced. With this transfer, along with two discs bursting with extras, Scream Factory has created the definitive version TCM2.
Perhaps you’re a young person just experiencing the horror greats for the first time (the rest of you have no excuse for not having seen this film 30 or 40 times); let me recap the story for you. First, go watch the original TCM, so you know the classic and you’re acquainted with the Sawyers. TCM2 picks up about ten years later with Dennis Hopper playing Lefty Enright, Texas Ranger and uncle of Sally and Franklin from the first film. He’s on the trail of the Sawyer cannibals as they saw their way through north Texas. Radio DJ ‘Stretch’ Brock (Caroline Williams) has evidence they’re in the area and, driven by a desire to improve her career, teams up with Lefty to draw Leatherface and his family out. However, their plan backfires and they find themselves drawn into the depths of the family’s subterranean lair.
TCM2 was a bit maligned in its theatrical release as not being as genuinely terrifying as the original; though it is far more gory. The film takes the original characters and premise and spins them in an awesomely insane and satirical way; avoiding becoming a thematic retread of the original. Over time, thankfully, horror audiences have warmed to part 2 and come to recognize it as one of the best and most unique follow-ups in the genre. Hey look, they put out a clip of my favorite scene in the film! Check it out:
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 Collector’s Edition includes both the new transfer and a copy of the inferior MGM transfer (I guess in case you get sentimental or something?). Disc 1 includes three different audio commentaries; one with Tobe Hooper, one with DP Richard Kooris and other crew, and one with Caroline Williams, Bill Moseley, and Tom Savini. Also included are stills, outtakes, TV spots, trailers, alternate opening sequence, and deleted scenes. Disc 2 contains new interviews with just about everyone involved in the production, and a feature-length ‘making-of’ documentary. The cover is a splashy new illustration by Joel Robinson and the original ‘Breakfast Club pose’ poster on the reverse sleeve. This set is overflowing with hours of fun so get yourself some BBQ, pop the disc in the player, and enjoy.
Adam Ruhl is a writer and life long Cinephile. He is the Executive
Cinema Editor of Pop Culture Beast’s Austin branch; covering festivals,
conventions, and new releases. When not filing reports, Adam can be
found stalking Alamo Drafthouse Programmers for leads on upcoming
DrafthouseFilms titles. Adam once blocked Harry Knowles entrance to a
theater until he was given extra tickets to a Roman Polanski movie.