I Finally had a chance to watch this last night, and I have a hard time believing there will ever be a better more definitive version of this film released. Every aspect of the release screams quality/professionalism.
Video:
I don't know where you're sourcing these releases encodes from, but I can't scream loud enough just how good this release looks. I'd wager that this particular release has a better encode than at least 25% of the retail films I've purchased over the past 7 years. (And that's over 525 Blu Rays!) I watched the film on my 60" Samsung Plasma (PN60E7000) and didn't spot a single instance of color banding, compression artifacts, or any of the other telltale signs of a non-official release. Contrast was nice and punchy but not overblown, Blacks were solid and not muddy or overly murky. All in all this release rivals that of much of the Scream factory Catalog.
Audio:
I choose to watch the film with the custom 5.1 mix. It was clear, concise, lively and overall just a great mix. Dialogue was clear and punchy, the surrounds had a nice light lively feel to them when utilized, and the overall sound field was again commendable considering this is a custom 5.1 mix put together by fans of the film. All things considered I don't know what more fans could ask for outside of the addition of the extra 2 speakers for a 7.1 mix. As it stands however, this is simply an outstanding effort.
Supplements:
TeamBlu has put together a Nice little package of extras that while brief, are all welcome additions. The Addition of the original OOP DVD was a fantastic touch. The remastered trailers look and sound great, and the fangoria/comic scans are interesting historical looks at the film.
Packaging:
The Cover art design (and inclusion of alternate artwork) has always been a strong suit with TeamBlu and this release is no different. Choosing to go with the White Cover myself, the design has a nice retro feel to it, while still following the more current favored standards of displaying info (Video/audio/supplements) on the back. My only complaint with this release is that the font/font size used for the movie synopsis is a bit a the small size, and as such strays from what is often the standard on retail Blu Ray releases. The text is clear and easy to read, but a quick look at it immediately strikes the viewer with the thought that it indeed is a bit different/off from what we usually are presented with on official releases. This is not a complaint however, merely an observation.
Lastly, I must again commend the author who is in charge of the Blu Ray Menu system on these releases. Once again this release simply knocks it out of the park. Using the simplistic white cover as a background, the menu is thoughtfully layed out, simple to navigate, and as professional as any DVD era menu. Immediately upon booting up the Disk, background music begins and even transitions to a 2nd track from the film if the user allows the music to play long enough. These small but appreciated touches are what really take a TeamBLU Release and set them far above most others.
Conclusion:
I can't thank Teamblu enough for taking gems like Fright Night II and giving them the proper releases they deserve. The hard work and effort shows on every release, and these are truly worthy of an official retail release. From start to finish the entire experience is a fun and enjoyable one. I'm thankful to have been given access to this release, and I anxiously look forward to future TeamBlu releases and hope that i can again be blessed with the opportunity of adding them to my collection... (Particularly Pumpkinhead, Jason Goes to Hell Uncut, and the Tales From the Crypt Double Feature).
