The demonic, toilet-dwelling goblins are back! Stowed away in “Satan’s Den,” the traveling House of Horror operated by carnival workers Larry and Uncle Ned, the Ghoulies merrily devour the sideshow attraction’s patrons… until Larry realizes his horror house is for real and tries to flee the scene! Deliciously outrageous special effects and over-the-top antics ratchet up the horrific fun!

For thoughts on Ghoulies II, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

Video Quality

MVD Entertainment presents Ghoulies II via their Rewind Collection with a terrific 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 16-bit 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This film was last released on Blu-Ray just last year in 2023 through MVD Entertainment. If you follow GVN and read our review of that release, we did warn you that a 4K UHD Blu-Ray was being planned by the company pending the procurement of the proper elements. That time has thankfully come quickly for those who waited, and with it comes the addition of the R-rated Director’s Cut to complement the original PG-13 Theatrical Cut. The included Blu-Ray is the exact one reviewed last year and is not derived from the new restoration. With this new 4K UHD Blu-Ray release, the sequel finally stands as tall as the original film.

This new transfer has an ideal amount of natural film grain which brings out vital texture in the production design, makeup work, and other craft elements. The minor bouts of density fluctuation are refined and virtually eliminated. The same can be said for the lingering print damage on the previous Blu-Ray, which could not be spotted on the 4K UHD disc. This grain resolves without any notable issues as everything appears natural throughout the journey. Black levels are sterling with no obvious crush present, and highlights remain firm without blooming serving as an issue. The Dolby Vision elevates the hues to impressive heights in this carnival setting. One of our favorite flourishes is the dazzling lighting and the bold impact of the locale. There are an array of distinct colors including those found on the creatures themselves that make a nice impression. MVD Entertainment made this one worth the wait.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a nice DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mono track that represents the film without issue. The low end does not try to be too ambitious, but it provides some texture within the source roots. Dialogue comes through clearly even in the most chaotic environment. Environmental noises such as the carnival music or the screams of patrons are distinguished well within the mix. The music is represented favorably without any signs of damage or distortion. The audio experience comes through with first-rate fidelity. MVD Entertainment has delivered a first-rate audio experience that honors the roots of the film. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided on the 4K UHD disc.

Special Features

PG-13 Theatrical Cut (1:29:47 – Blu-Ray & 4K UHD) and R-Rated Director’s Cut (1:31:19 – 4K UHD Only)

Introduction by Screenwriter Dennis Paoli: A 75-second introduction from the director who briefly discusses the practical nature of the and how much of that magic is lost in modern filmmaking.

More Toilets, More Terror – The Making Of Ghoulies II: A fun 17-minute documentary with many of the key creative figures in which they reflect on the creation of the film, how they approached this as a follow-up, the special effects work, shooting on a limited budget, filming on a huge sound stage, and much more.

Under A Magic Moon – Interview with Dennis Paoli: A nearly 34-minute interview with the screenwriter who discusses his approach to screenwriting, his love of pushing the boundaries of narrative, his friendship with Stuart Gordon, working in Chicago, the inspiration for this work, and much more that is well worth checking out.

Deleted Scenes: A three-minute collection of unused scenes is provided including the Ghoulies terrorizing some folks in gruesome ways.
Photo Gallery: This disc provides a photo gallery of behind-the-scenes photos, marketing material and more.
Trailers: The minute-and-a-half trailer is provided for Ghoulies II. There is also a trailer provided for Ghoulies, Vampire’s Kiss, Swamp Thing and The Return of Swamp Thing.

Poster

Final Thoughts

Ghoulies II doubles down on the fun of the first film in a way that honors the spirit of the initial installment while also blazing its own trail. In some ways, this entry surpasses the first film, but both are fun in their own way. The production was obviously working with limited resources, but the creative team seems to have made the most of their efforts. It is solid, kooky entertainment. MVD Entertainment has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that delivers an excellent A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. If you are a fan of the series, this is the release you have been waiting for. Recommended

Ghoulies II is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: MVD Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.