White Noise 2 (HD DVD)

Universal | 99 minutes | 2007 | PG-13 | Directed by: Patrick Lussier |
HD DVD reviewed by: Fusion3600

Abe Dale (Nathan Fillion) was at a diner with his wife and son, when his world fell apart. A man walked into the diner, pulled out a gun, shot Abe's wife and son, then shot himself. Abe was devastated by not just the loss of his loved ones, but a sense of helplessness, as he couldn't do anything to save them. He also dwells on how random the event was, as his beloved family was taken from him for no reason. After trying to cope, Abe breaks downs and overdoses on pills, in an attempt to rejoin his loved ones. He is brought back however, even after seeing the white light on the other side. He is alive, but haunted by unexplained visions that show him who is about to die. When he takes action and begins to save those on the brink, will he find the inner peace he seeks, or has he opened up a door to darkness?

I never expected to see a sequel to White Noise, but here we are with a direct to video follow up. As is often the case these days, this is not a true sequel, just similar circumstances with new folks involved. I was drawn to this based on the presence of Nathan Fillion and Katee Sackhoff, two underrated performers whose work I enjoy. Fillion carries White Noise 2 and turns in some good work, in a role that isn't in his usual line. Sackhoff is a vision of charisma here, a bright and energetic persona in stark contrast to her tough as nails role on Battlestar Galactica. The two work well together and while the script isn't gold, it allows them room to show their skills and they do just that. White Noise 2 is actually better than the original, but I wouldn't call it a great movie, its just solid entertainment ideal for a rental, The movie looks terrific in high definition, so if you're interested in White Noise 2, this HD-DVD is the best way to see it for yourself.

White Noise 2 is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The visuals are very crisp and refined, with high detail visible at all times. A few scenes come off as on the soft side, but with a movie this dark, you have to expect some instances like that. The contrast is spot on, with deep blacks and accurate balances, so detail isn't obscured even in the darkest moments. As far as colors, the hues have a metallic presence with a lot of silver tint, but that is how things should be. All in all, I found this to be an impressive presentation and the film's visuals can really shine in this release.

This Dolby TrueHD 5.1 option is quite good, helping to keep the eerie atmosphere in motion. The atmosphere is bolstered by an ever present sense of impending doom, thanks to this track that makes sure dread is always looming in the speakers. The soundtrack enhances the tension quite a bit, from the cheap scare shocks to the general environment. I found the lower key moments to be more impressive, as subtle touches are used to keep us on edge, but the soundtrack is impressive all around. The music isn't good, but it is well handled here, so no concerns there. I found no issues with dialogue, so vocals remain clean and free from errors throughout.

The meatiest extras are about half an hour of deleted scenes, as the only other inclusions are three brief featurettes. One deals with the real life EVP phenomena, another looks behind the scenes of the production, and the final one is a quick tour through the haunted asylum seen in the movie. None are bad per se, but they combine to clock in under thirty minutes, so there isn't much time to provide depth.