Basket Case 2 & 3 - 8/9 (Synapse)

[Oscar Rothman]

http://synapse-films.com/synapse-fil...ase-2-blu-ray/

Features

THE MAN IN THE MOON MASK – Interview with “Half Moon” actor, David Emge
BEYOND THE WICKER – Behind-the-Scenes Featurette from Special Effects Makeup Artist, Gabe Bartalos
Reversible Cover art with newly commissioned front piece by Joel Robinson

http://synapse-films.com/synapse-fil...ogeny-blu-ray/


Features

Original Theatrical Trailer
Reversible Cover art with newly commissioned front piece by Joel Robinson

[demonknight]

Unexpected but nice. Won't make me get rid of my DVD of Basket Case 2 that was recently signed by Henenlotter though.

[frakking toaster]

Oh man. Day 1 purchase for sure!

[JaseT]

I've never watched BC2 or BC3, but the first film was fun. How do the sequels hold up to the original?

[lilboyblu]

Sweet! I'd meant to pick up the standard UK trilogy, but think I'll just get these and the original here from the US instead.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by JaseT

I've never watched BC2 or BC3, but the first film was fun. How do the sequels hold up to the original?

2 is better than the first in my eyes, but they have greater reliance on comedy.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by JaseT

I've never watched BC2 or BC3, but the first film was fun. How do the sequels hold up to the original?

They are (in my opinion) superior in every possible way. The original is an interesting idea with no budget, the 2nd and 3rd films (Telling one long story) expand on everything with a much bigger budget. If you're a fan of creature features and practical effects you need these. I already have the excellent steelbook trilogy from the UK, but I'll give these a serious look depending how the PQ/AQ is. The UK trilogy included a great documentary that I would have liked to have seen included, but even without it, these films are much bigger deals to me than anything coming this summer From Scream Factory or Arrow. This is pure 80's/90's horror-comedy at it's best.

[DenOfEarth]

Awesome, can't wait to upgrade my old DVDs of both to complete the trilogy.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Never watched any of the films but I'm interested. I was already thinking of grabbing part 1. Might as well get all 3.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Never watched any of the films but I'm interested. I was already thinking of grabbing part 1. Might as well get all 3.

Part one is often talked about due to it's grind house like nature. It's a dirty grimey film with an absurd premise... all things that typically make for a great word of mouth film. The 2nd and 3rd entries don't bother trying to recreate the original, and as a result are a spectacularly original, funny, horror gold mine. The original is worth a look but largely forgettable. There are scenes in part 2 and 3 however that are outstanding and pure gold.

[LawnFurniture]

Finally! I've put off buying part 3 for awhile because I knew these were getting a release eventually. Hopefully Brain Damage is next!

[Damonstein]

Originally Posted by LawnFurniture

Finally! I've put off buying part 3 for awhile because I knew these were getting a release eventually. Hopefully Brain Damage is next!

I would love brain damage but synapse said there are things holding up a blu ray release.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

The original is worth a look but largely forgettable.

I couldn't disagree more. The original is the ultimate in grimy, sleazy, no-budget American cinema; incredibly fun and made by people who loved what they were doing, which is quite apparent when watching it. The New York flavor gives it more character than any of the sequels.

The sequels are fun, but by part three, they ran out of ideas and freely admit it. Lots of padding and wheel spinning.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by JaseT

I've never watched BC2 or BC3, but the first film was fun. How do the sequels hold up to the original?

Not really all that comparable. Basket Case is to it's sequels what The Evil Dead is to Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness where the filmmakers switch from a more horror-oriented overtone to a more comedy-oriented tone. I have a strong preference for the original to the sequels, and dissention pretty much summed up many of the reasons why:

Originally Posted by dissention

The original is the ultimate in grimy, sleazy, no-budget American cinema; incredibly fun and made by people who loved what they were doing, which is quite apparent when watching it. The New York flavor gives it more character than any of the sequels.

I would add that the original film has a

[Show spoiler]grim

ending, where

[Show spoiler]nobody really comes out a winner

. The sequels have kind of

[Show spoiler]funny or happy

endings, if I remember correctly.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Part one is often talked about due to it's grind house like nature. It's a dirty grimey film with an absurd premise... all things that typically make for a great word of mouth film. The 2nd and 3rd entries don't bother trying to recreate the original, and as a result are a spectacularly original, funny, horror gold mine. The original is worth a look but largely forgettable. There are scenes in part 2 and 3 however that are outstanding and pure gold.

Good to know. Sounds like a great series. I look forward to it.

[RickWJ324]

I've had the UK releases for a year or so and have never popped them in my player. After reading these reviews/opinions of parts 2 and 3 I guess I'll have to watch them soon.

[The Great Owl]

Wait....what what say what? The first Basket Case film has been available all this time on Blu-ray from Image Entertainment, and I just now realized it because of this thread?

Problem solved. I just ordered the first film for $10 and change from Deep Discount.

No interest in the sequels right now, but that first movie is a trip.

[pinballmaster]

I got the UK set off Ebay for around $10. Transfers are nice. Movies are region free. Extras aren't.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by pinballmaster

I got the UK set off Ebay for around $10. Transfers are nice. Movies are region free. Extras aren't.

Didn't know it was region free. That's interesting... I still might just pick up the 3 separate films though.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Didn't know it was region free. That's interesting... I still might just pick up the 3 separate films though.

The UK set includes a great feature-length doc on all three films if that interests you & unlike the standard definition PAL extras for the first film, it plays perfectly fine on Region A players.