Friday the 13th Part 2 Deluxe Edition DVD Review

No Restored Footage, But Jason's Debut Still Worth the DVD Upgrade.

Aug 28, 2009 Brett Hardel

For it's fourth DVD release in a decade, the emergence of Jason Voorhees is newly remastered with a new 5.1 Surround mix and new special features, but no deleted footage.

With the debut of Friday the 13th Part 2 on DVD in October 1999 along with it's predecessor, fans were disappointed - they were not remastered, the Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono audio wasn't impressive, there were no special features save for the theatrical trailer, and none of the often talked about censored footage was included. In October 2004, Friday the 13th - From Crystal Lake to Manhattan, a box set of the first eight films by Paramount which included a bonus special features disc, was released and featured as a supplement some extended kill scenes from some of the films, though none from Part 2. Fans were sligthly more satisfied with this DVD incarnation but there was still grumbling about no uncut versions and no video and audio upgrades. In August 2007, the first two films were re-released together on DVD as a double feature, but again no special features or upgrades.

First Jason Voorhees Carnage Has Never Looked Better, Even in Censored Theatrical Cut

But finally in February 2009, fans rejoiced when the first three films were re-released on DVD in deluxe editions, all newly remastered in high definition with a new 5.1 Surround Mix and all-new special features. Though only the original film in the deluxe edition series was re-released uncut, there is enough going here to recommend or upgrade, as the first sequel that unleashed Jason Voorhees and which many fans today consider to be the beginning of the series has never looked or sounded better.

Crystal Lake Memories

Ironically, the new special features are centered more on the series than Part 2 specifically, and everything relative to Part 2 that was on the 2004 bonus disc is not included here. First up is Inside Crystal Lake Memories, which has Del Howison (owner of the Dark Delicacies horror store in Burbank, California) interviewing Peter Bracke, who authored Crystal Lake Memories. Bracke discusses the 54 seconds of cuts demanded by the MPAA as well as explaining the ending that has confused many a viewer. Friday's Legacy: Horror Conventions has clips from the 2008 Scare Fest in Lexington, Kentucky, where alumni from the original film mingle with fans. Jason Forever is nearly a half-hour of footage from the 2004 Fangoria Convention in New Jersey. (This was previously only available as a special bonus disc for those who purchased the box set in 2004 from Best Buy). Four actors that have played Jason - Ari Lehman, Warrington Gillette, C.J. Graham, and Kane Hodder - discuss their experiences on the set which are interspersed with individual interviews before concluding with questions from the audience. Easily the armpit of the special features would be Lost Tales From Camp Blood Part II. This is yet another annoying short film about two annoying people being stalked in the woods. Again, the assailant isn't Jason, and again the only thing worth noting about this is the legendary Harry Manfredini score beloved by fans. Last but not least, the theatrical trailer is included. Definitely for completists and fans, and maybe someday we'll get those 54 seconds back...

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