Directed by Victor Garcia
Starring: Nick Stahl, William Katt, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Evan Jones
“It is the city of mirrors, the city of mirages, at once solid and liquid, at once air and stone.”
Erica Jong
When Mirrors (2008), starring Kiefer Sutherland was released, it didn’t make a big impact. I am sure the film had its fans, but I don’t recall it making any critics top ten film lists for the year. So, what is the scoop on the “straight to DVD” release of Mirrors 2?
The Movie
Max (Nick Stahl) is having a rough year. He lost his girlfriend in a tragic car accident. His father (William Katt) feels for him and to help him get back on his feet; he gets him a security job at the new department store that he is helping to open.
What Max doesn’t know is that the only reason that the security job is available is that the previous employee went crazy after seeing a nightmarish vision in one of the stores mirrors. Yes, you read that right.
It isn’t long before Max is getting the same visions in the mirrors. Except he is getting visions of his coworkers hurting themselves in some spectacularly bloody ways. Later, these same coworkers in his “visions” begin having the accidents in real life. How much longer until the visions are about inflicting pain upon himself?
So, Max sets out to solve the mystery of the Mayflower store mirrors to protect himself and his friends, family and co-workers.
Okay, let’s start with the positive. There are some good “jump scares” and some pretty interesting and gory “kills”. So, horror fans are going to be happy.
Now, for the bad. The weakest element of Mirrors 2 is the flat and clichéd plot. Some horror fans are just in it for the gore, others expect a bit more in the storytelling department. That is just not on the plate for this one.
Also, Nick Stahl, while usually a solid actor, just seems to be “phoning it in” on this one. His character never feels fully engaged in the display of supernatural powers that are seemingly surrounding him.
Don’t get me started about William Katt. Just wait until you see the wig that this actor is forced to endure for his character. It looks like something out of a Raquel Welch wig collection. The shame of this wig adds an unexpected layer of humor that I am sure the director did not intend. Katt’s character is supposed to be a bit of an “aging hipster” but he just winds up looking ridiculous.
So, at the end of the day, is Mirrors 2 something that needs to be put in the permanent collection at your house? Of course not. Could it be something that might be fun for a rabid horror fan to enjoy a few jump scares, a bit of gore and a chance to laugh at the “Greatest American Hero” in a ridiculous wig? Sure, add this to the Netflix queue for a desperate evening of entertainment.
Just don’t expect the next great thing in horror. It is what it is.
4.5/10
The Video
Presented in AVC encoded anamorphic widescreen, Mirrors 2 looks impressive on Blu Ray. The overall image is remarkably crisp and highly detailed. The black levels are very respectable. The color palette is vibrant. I did not notice any instances of grain or edge enhancement.
8/10
The Audio
Mirrors 2 is presented in DTS HD Master audio. The audio is outstandingly crisp and clear. There was nice usage of all the speakers and the bass really hums when it needs too. There are optional subtitles available in English, Spanish and French.
7/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
Mirrors 2 is presented in a standard 2 disc Blu Ray amaray case with appropriately creepy artwork on the cover. The biggest bonus here is the original Korean film upon which Mirrors 2 is based provided on an additional disc. Unfortunately this film isn’t much better than its American counterpart but it’s nice to see the basis for this remake.
Some nice bonus features await you on this release. The Other Side: Making Mirrors 2 is self explanatory. It is a standard making of featurette.
Keeping it Real: the Visual and Special Effects of Mirrors 2 focuses on the technical end of bringing this film to the big screen (rather, small screen). It shows KNB working their magic on the practical effects and make up effects and the work that was done in CGI as well.
Into the Mirror is an interesting bonus feature. This is the original Korean film that was remade here in the states at the first Mirrors film. While the transfer isn’t great, the film is worth a watch.
Mirrors 2 with the Woman in the Mirror is a fun but strange bonus feature. This bonus feature is a “picture in picture” window that pops up periodically throughout Mirrors 2 replaying a scene from the perspective of the mirrors that are featured in the film. Yes, you did read that right. This was fun for a few minutes, but I can’t imagine watching the entire film like this.
Finally, some deleted scenes are offered.
6/10
Overall (Not an Average) 5/10
The Review
The Movie 4.5/10
The Video 8/10
The Audio 7/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 6/10
Overall ( Not an Average) 5/10