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HTF Reviewer
Location: Kernersville, NC
Join Date: Nov 2001
Local Time: 06:56 AM
Local Date: 10-14-2008
Posts: 535
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HTF HD-DVD Review: White Noise 2
White Noise 2
Studio: Universal Studios
Year: 2007
US Rating: Rated PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Violence and Terror, Some Disturbing Images, Thematic Material and Language
Film Length: 1hr 39 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Video Resolution/Codec: 1080p/VC-1
Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, English Dolby Digital Plus 5.1
Subtitles: Optional English SDH and French
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US Release Date: January 8, 2007
The Film -   out of
“If you save a life... you are responsible for it"
The world of direct to video sequels is a veritable junkyard of creatively questionable product chasing the almighty dollar at the expense of patience. Some sequels that forgo a theatrical outing can be entertaining, if overtly sub-par when compared the film that gave it life, but most will disappoint. Some examples of follow-ups that took the name but none of the spirit of the ‘franchise’ progenitor include Darkman 2 & 3, Mimic 2, Starship Troopers 2 and the endless barrage of meaningless ‘bashes over the head’ that they call the Hellraiser series. Some are guilty pleasures (Hollow Man 2), but far too often they will leave you feeling a little dirty for having actually paid to see it.
The expectations for White Noise 2 were, therefore, set reasonably low. However, much to my surprise and delight, this director to video sequel was very, very good.
After a powerful opening, the film takes the phenomenon of E.V.P in a slightly different direction to the original. Not so far of course that it reinvents the premise, but just enough to keep the concept fresh and not become a simple retread.
The story has the happy home life of the lead character, Abe Dale, is shattered after his wife and child are gunned down by a stranger in a coffee shop. The grief of his loss pushes him to the edge until he takes his own life. After being clinically dead for a short time, he is rescued and soon begins the process of recovery. It is in the hospital recovering that he meets Nurse Sherry Clarke and where he quickly discovers that he is not the same as before he took his own life.
The Near Death Experience or N.D.E somehow gave Abe precognitive abilities; seeing light around those who would meet their end soon; and despite having some initial misgivings about the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of this change, he eventually uses this supernatural foresight to save lives and soon begins to feel like a hero. However, his time riding high on the chance to do great deeds quickly ends, as he slips into the dark and dangerous horror of a supernatural imbalance.
The two leads are easily recognizable to anyone considering themselves a science fiction fan, with Nathan Fillion (Firefly) starring as Abe Dale and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) as Sherry Clarke. The strength of these two stars, albeit relatively new and almost exclusively on the small screen, gives White Noise 2 a great hook for what I assume is a good bulk of the target demographic. Definitely a smart casting move.
This movie doesn’t not look or feel like a direct to video sequel; the production values of the film are extremely good. The direction by Patrick Lussier (Dracula 2000) is sleek and tight; the visual and make-up effects solid and the score by Normand Corbeil is strong and fitting. Overall, the look, tone and feel of this film is of theater quality. When I think of the dull, flaccid and limping celluloid mistakes that have swallowed my cash whole in the last couple of years – those films that somehow escaped the appropriate fate of premiering in the world of home video – it seems criminal that a movie with this much genre flair, fine performances, strong story and genuinely exciting twists, never got the chance to debut at your local megaplex.
A great deal of the film rides on Nathan Fillion’s performance - and he delivers. He doesn’t get the chance to exhibit the sly charm he has shown in the Firefly TV series or even last years mildly entertaining Slither, but the dramatic and desperate situations his character endures gives him the chance to flex his solid acting muscles.
Using N.D.E as the main focus, rather than the E.V.P concept, allowed this sequel to remain fresh and, along with the more visceral approach of the action and brisker pacing, create an effective film that is surprisingly good and very entertaining.
Look for some nice visual references to the original film (via some newspaper clippings etc) that are a nice tip of the hat to the 2005 original.
Universal Studios debuted this home video sequel on DVD and HD-DVD/DVD combo. White Noise 2 comes with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 in 1080p high definition and encoded VC-1. The image is really sharp with lovely fine details and clarity that, at times, is superb. The steely and sometimes green-blue tone of the film looks gorgeous in high definition.
Universal Studios brings White Noise 2 to the High Definition with an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track as well as English and French Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 options.
The subwoofer gets a bit of a work out during this more action flavored sequel, accompanied by a deep and immersive sound field and surround effects that are jolting during the jumps and scares (of which there a fair amount). I was pleased with the quality of the audio even if there were times when a little more was expected.
Deleted Scenes: – (33:08) – 12 deleted scenes including Abe’s eulogy for his wife and son, more time spent on Abe’s suicide and recovery, more time between Abe and Sherry and an extension of the ending. Each is fully realized and is beautifully shot.
Experiencing Near Death Experiences: – (14:56) – This exploration of the N.D.E. phenomena is quite interesting, highlighting different people who have actually died and come back with stories of their experiences. A great little extra feature, but it lacks the balance needed of some healthy skepticism. This is still an enjoyable look at one side of the subject.
The Making of White Noise 2: – (8:36) – The cast talk a little about the original White Noise and the differences between the original and the sequel. Nathan Fillion shows off his innate likeability and demonstrates genuine enthusiasm for the role and the story. We also get a peak at some of the special make-up creations. Look for the actors joking about their respective Firefly and BSG characters.
Journey Into Madness: – (6:00) – Another making of style featurette with Nathan Fillion (and a location production assistant) providing a tour of the hospital location used for the shoot with Nathan continuing to use his good humor to keep things interesting.
Final Thoughts
The world of direct to video sequels grew in 2007 and looks to continue that growth in 2008. Warner Bros., Universal and others will be pumping out movies with names we recognize and stars that we mostly don’t, Fox even has a follow-up to David E. Kelley’s underappreciated and pretty unsuccessful Lake Placid coming soon (which I will watch and quite likely regret).
In the end, White Noise 2 proves to be a hugely enjoyable ray of hope for the world of direct to video sequels and a very high bar against which all others should be gauged.
Even if you were not a fan of the original (or never saw it), this is a really good film that is worthy of your time.
Neil Middlemiss
Kernersville, NC
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