Plot: What’s it about?
Ah yes, Tales from the Crypt. This anthology series combined horror with humor and was a smash success, even with the mainstream audiences. So this was a show horror fans could embrace, but so could everyone else, a rare breed, without question. The series also attracted elite level talent on both sides of the camera, from all star casts to top flight directors. So the talent involved was always high level, including gifted writers and some terrific special effects creators. The end result was a dynamic series that was often hilarious, but also never flinched about going over the top with the horror elements. Now some episodes were more eerie than outright scary, but all in all, the series has a fine variety of styles involved. The first season was a little shaky, but showed promise, so the second season was poised to make an impact. In addition to more total episodes (18 compared to 6), the second season offered a better overall selection. As with any show, some episodes are better than others, but this second season has some great installments.
The stories this time around are more inventive also, with more ironic twists and dark humor than before, which is crucial in a series like this. You’ll see what happens when a beautiful woman marries a slob to cash in on his wealth, a game of poker involves the highest stakes you can imagine, an artist’s twisted creations come to life, the host of a tabloid television show tours a haunted house on the air, and hell, you’ll even witness the story of how the Crypt Keeper was born. But those are just a few of the sick, twisted tales you’ll find in this second season, I even left some the most disturbing ones unsaid. And if you want stars, how about Demi Moore, Kelly Preston, Teri Hatcher, Harry Anderson, Patricia Arquette, Don Rickles, Timothy Stack? This is just a great season and the best part is, the series only gets better from here. This second season of Tales from the Crypt is highly recommended, I only hope future seasons come out on a quicker pace.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. I was a little let down by the visuals in the first season collection, thanks to grain and softness. In the second season, while not pristine, the visuals look better and that’s good news. The images just have a cleaner, more refined presence, so the softness is lessened and grain isn’t so much of a factor. Still, if you compare these episodes to the later seasons, the visuals probably won’t be as solid. Even so, these episodes look good and since there is an improvement, it gives me hope that the later seasons will look terrific.
Audio: How does it sound?
A 2.0 surround soundtrack is provided for each episode. The first season was rather bland in terms of audio, but the second season kicks it up a touch. Not to the extent that later seasons do, when the surrounds are used to really enhance the experience, but still an improvement. A little more activity and more creative presence and in the case of audio, a little can mean a lot. The atmosphere is some episodes is enhanced and made more eerie, while basic elements also have a cleaner sound. Of course, the Cryptkeeper’s hideous voice comes across just as it should, which is a key element. The second season soundtracks won’t win any awards, but you can tell a little more effort went into the sound design this time. This release also includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French, should you need those.
Supplements: What are the extras?
A nice behind the scenes featurette runs under fifteen minutes, but provides some good interviews, while a piece on the short lived radio show runs only three minutes. In other words, so brief that by the time it gets started, it has come to an end.
