BOOK OF THE DEAD 2

By: BRIAN THOMAS
Date: Saturday, September 03, 2005

Anchor Bay Entertainment has been accused of milking certain popular films in their library by producing as many variant DVD editions as they can. On the other hand, fans do keep buying these variants as long as they deliver some new angle on an old classic. Even if you already have DAWN OF THE DEAD in your collection, you'll likely want the ULTIMATE DAWN box that has all the different cuts of the film. However, if you have this box set, you're unlikely to want their upcoming separate release of the European version ZOMBI unless you're totally obsessed.

But one exception to that practice was ABE's EVIL DEAD "Book of the Dead" limited edition that came housed in a specially sculpted spongy package made to look like the evil book in the film. More of a gift/collector's item than the usual DVD re-release, it became a fast seller. On September 27, Anchor Bay will release a companion volume EVIL DEAD 2: Book of the Dead 2. The disc itself offers a new High Definition transfer of the movie in ABE's DiviMax process supervised by Sam Raimi himself. Raimi also shows up on a commentrak with star Bruce Campbell and others, and the disc will have behind-the-scenes featurettes, galleries and whatnot. But the main selling point will again be the fleshy, repellent package made to look like the lost second volume of the Book, and featuring a bulging eye on the front that screams at you if you poke it!

With the first two features in this franchise represented by these special editions, will a ARMY OF DARKNESS: Book of the Dead 3 come creeping after? Well, remember that Ash had to choose between three books in the movie wouldn't you want to complete the set? Just hope they don't make that one bitey!

(© 2005 Brian Thomas) Brian Thomas is the author of the massive book VideoHound's DRAGON: ASIAN ACTION & CULT FLICKS, available now!

Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at DVDShoppingList@cinescape.com.