The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

A decade ago, there was this little film came out in theaters and then quickly left. Such things happen from time to time due to a variety of circumstances, but if not for the DVD format who championed its first film into cult status when The Boondock Saints hit the format, would this sequel have happened? Fox claimed to make $40 million off of DVD sales, an incredible amount considering the $7 million film barely crossed $26,000 in its entire theatrical run. For all of the people Troy Duffy seemed to irk off in 1999, he can at least thank DVD. We’ve seen it a few times before, when something like a TV show or movie comes and goes, yet through DVD sales, it becomes a cult property, and I bring this all up, because if not for DVD, the unlikely sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day would not have been pushed theatrically. I assume all involved, hoped that the people who bought the DVD of the first film, would come to the theaters for this one, yet I’m certain, many again will discover The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day on DVD, rather than in theaters.

Is that a bad thing? Not really. All Saint’s Day won’t win over any new fans that the first film didn’t gather. It’s for the fans of the first film, at times seems tongue-in-cheek about the Saints appeal, but I guess that’s apart of the fun. Duffy really hasn’t grown as a film maker, as here he repeats a lot of the same tricks. Remember Dafoe’s awesome retelling of “the fire fight!” sequence? Julie Benz replaces Dafoe as Special Agent Bloom, and has a scene where she retells a scene as an “OK Corral”. It’s fine, fun actually, but virtually the same trick. Most of the film is like that, which is a double edged sword for Duffy. The Boondock Saints fans will be pleased, yet it won’t impress non-fans and critics. Duffy’s Tarantino Jr. to some, and if you like you’re guys extra tough, spouting off tough guy dialogue, and guns blazing, then enjoy The Boondock Saints II. But it’s for the fans of the first film, first and foremost.

I’m sure many will ask if this sequel was needed. Are sequels ever needed? That’s a case-by-case situation, but Duffy has a good hook to bring the Saints back to Boston. Nearly a decade after the courtroom execution of the crime boss, someone is now mocking the Saints’ trademark of placing coins on the victim’s eyes. Except the victim is a priest, something of a calling-out act that works. The Saints come back, yet have to face someone from their Dad’s past. It works, and while Duffy still meanders his pacing on the film, goes a bit over-the-top in dialogue, and finds a superb replacement for “Funny Man” Rocco in Clifton Collins Jr. as Romeo, it’s not like this sequel will outshines the first film, but it doesn’t stain the memories you had of the first, which is still perfect for a sequel to exist. Collins delivers the over-the-top antics with the same gusto as Dafoe did in the first film, completing a fine year for Collins in 2009. Julie Benz (Dexter, Rambo) is really good, even if her character is essentially a female Smecker.

It all comes down to fun, seeing more of the same from the Saints.  It’s a good choice to do a sequel to his debut. Essentially, more of the same, but if expectations are adjusted correctly, what’s wrong with that? Let’s hope he does another film before doing The Boondock Saints III. Oops, did I spoil something? C’mon, the DVD sales for this are going to go through the roof.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Sony releases another stellar high-def disc, with a superb video transfer. Details are sharp and crisp, colors are accurately represented, and black levels are deep. The audio is equally as good, with highly active surrounds, deep bass, and solid sound dynamics that never drown out the dialogue. All in all, it’s another stellar high-def presentation from Sony.

Commentaries: The first track is a blitz of fun, jokes, and observations from director Duffy, and the film’s stars. Will you learn a lot about the making of the film, perhaps not, but it’s a fun listen (at least once) for the film’s fans. The second track has Troy Duffy solo for the most part, as he reveals plenty of trivia and behind-the-scenes info, making this the track for film production fans. I said Duffy is here solo for the most part, as someone special pops in halfway through to add some great insights. I won’t spoil who he/she is, since it’ll spoil the movie’s ending.

Unprecedented Access: Here’s a scatter shot look at the film’s production with a fly-on-the-wall feel to it. Tons of good stuff is here for the extra’s 28 minute running time, making this a must watch, even if it’s not as coherent as a making-of should be.

Billy Connolly and Troy Duffy: Unedited: This is a recorded chat between the two, that is a decent watch as they joke and discuss the film.

The Cast Confesses: This is just the actors talking about the reunion feel to this film.

The Boondock Saints hit Comic Con: This runs nearly an hour, and shows the Saints doing their thing on at the con doing their thing.

Deleted Scenes that offer two decent bits and Inside the Vault, that takes a look at the weapons rounds out the extras. No Trailer, oddly.

Conclusion: Saints fan will love it, and the Sony Blu-ray is darn good as well.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating: