Rating: Unrated
Starring:
Erica Leerhsen as Nina
Henry Rollins as Dale
Texas Battle as Jake
Aleksa Palladino as Mara
Daniella Alonso as Amber
Steve Braun as Jonesy
Matthew Currie Holmes as M
Crystal Lowe as Elena
Kimberly Caldwell as Kimberly
Wayne Robson as Old Timer
Ken Kirzinger as Pa
Ashlea Earl as Ma
Clint Carleton as Brother
Rorelee Tio as Sister
Jeff Scrutton as Three Finger
Special Features:
Making Gore Look Good Featurette
Cast & Crew Audio Commentaries
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.78:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French and Spanish Languages
French and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“In the forest, only they can hear you scream.
The ultimate reality show turns into the ultimate in horror for six contestants when they find themselves pitted against hideously deformed and insatiably hungry cannibals in this white-knuckle thrill-ride. Directed by Joe Lynch, recently named one of Gorezone’s top horror directors, and packed with never-before-seen special features including a commentary by Lynch, the writers and select cast members, ‘Wrong Turn 2: Dead End’ promises twice the jolts and heart-pounding fear of the original!
Retired military commander Colonel Dale Murphy (Henry Rollins) hosts a simulated post-apocalyptic reality show where participants are challenged to survive a remote West Virginia wasteland. But the show turns into a nightmarish showdown when each realizes they are being hunted by an inbred family of cannibals determined to make them all dinner.”
This version of “Wrong Turn 2: Dead End” is unrated, but the theatrical version is rated R for strong horror violence and gore, language and some sexual content.
Mini Review:
If I had to describe “Wrong Turn 2: Dead End” it would be “The Hills Have Eyes” meets “Deliverance.” It’s your standard horror formula. A group of colorful characters gets stranded in a remote location and are then picked off one by one by inbred local cannibals. (Why are all mutants cannibals? Professor X would not approve.) The filmmakers try to put a fresh spin on this by tying it to a reality TV show being filmed in the back woods. It’s a good idea on paper but it didn’t work so well in this low budget production. Everything about it seems hokey and forced. (Hmmm
.maybe it is an accurate depiction of reality TV after all.) The creators also attempt to kill people in new and grisly ways, but I have to admit that it all kind of bored me. So many recent horror films have pushed the limits of gore and good taste that nothing shocks me anymore.
The film does have a couple of high points. First of all, they show former “American Idol” star Kimberly Caldwell basically playing herself. It makes her death (and I don’t think that spoils anything) a little more entertaining. Maybe they can kill Simon Cowell next. The film also takes an interesting turn when Henry Rollins starts fighting back Rambo-style. So many horror films just opt to have the heroes roll over and die one by one. It was nice to see someone offer up an effective counter attack. I also have to admit that I wasn’t able to guess who would be killed in what order. Typically that’s very easy as characters walk around with varying size bulls eyes on their backs.
I’d really only recommend “Wrong Turn 2: Dead End” to fans of horror B-movies. There are better movies out there that follow the same formula. Only horror fans will be forgiving of this movie’s flaws.
There were only two bonus features on the DVD I received though more were advertised online. There was a commentary with the director, Henry Rollins, and Erica Leerhsen. There was also a featurette on how they did the stunts and gore in the film. This was easily the most entertaining part of the entire DVD presentation.
