4K / BLU-RAY REVIEW - MANIAC COP 2 & 3
Horror subgenres can get pretty niche, and it is safe to say that “Cop-Horror” is in a league with few players. In fact, aside from 2014’s LAST SHIFT, the only other films that come to mind would be the MANIAC COP series. We also happen to be living in a time, particularly here in the US, where trust in authority figures like police varied and trending downward. The idea that those who are supposed to protect and serve the community are doing the exact opposite is an all-too-real reality for some, and we have seen how this translates into horror by the way of the anthology film TALES FROM THE HOOD and even in some recent CREEPSHOW episodes on SHUDDER. But I digress, if we are talking about the grandfather of cop horror movies there is no argument that MANIAC COP is at the top of that list. While the original is by many considered a classic (rightfully so), those rights sit with SYNAPSE FILMS. The sequels, however, are under the watchful and ever-upgrading eye of BLUE UNDERGROUND, the label that is owned and operated by the director of ⅔ of the series, WILLIAM (BILL) LUSTIG. As the label continues to upgrade its back catalog of horror classics, it seems that MANIAC COP 2 & 3 have now received the penultimate upgrade package. The question for all horror collectors out there is, are these versions worth tossing out your old blu-rays for?t Here….
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
The "Maniac Cop" is back from the dead and stalking the streets of New York once more. Officer Matt Cordell was once a hero, but after being framed by corrupt superiors and brutally assaulted in prison, he sets out on a macabre mission of vengeance, teaming up with a vicious serial killer to track down those that wronged him and make them pay... with their lives!
When Officer Kate Sullivan storms a hostage situation, the whole incident is captured on tape by an unscrupulous media crew who edit the footage to show Kate killing a helpless victim. Now in a coma, Kate's only hope is Detective Sean McKinney, who desperately tries to clear her name. But unbeknownst to him, "Maniac Cop" Matt Cordell takes it upon himself to exact revenge upon those responsible for smearing her name.
HOW IS IT?
For the sake of ease, I’m going to tackle these films one at a time and of course in chronological order. So let’s start with MANIAC COP 2, which is arguably one of the best horror sequels ever made. The story picks up almost right after the first movie and continues the story of Matt Cordell and the NYPD cops who are entangled in a web of deceit and cover-ups that land Matt in prison and brutally scarred. It’s fair to say that if you enjoyed the first film you’re bound to enjoy this one as it covers much of the same ground while expanding the story the first one told. The way that the first film ended, one may wonder how and why they would make a sequel. The answer to the latter is because of money, but the “how” is pretty creative without feeling forced.
What makes this entry so good is that it doubles down on a few key areas: the violence and the corruption. The thing about this film, and the first, is that they offer social commentary that you can take or leave. The first film is a commentary on rampant violence and police corruption for which the backdrop of 1980s NYC could not be any better. NYC in the 80s was filled with crime, drugs, and sex work that largely went unchecked. The thing is, you don’t have to read the film that way and it still works just as well. MANIAC COP 2 is set in a similar type of New York City since the change of the decade carried over many of the same problems that plagued the previous one. In the first MANIAC COP Matt Cordell was killing police officers who wronged him, and in MANIAC COP 2 he is less focused on killing specific police officers as he is focused on calling out the leadership who are responsible for putting him away in the first place. This entry also introduces another killer into the mix who is taking out exotic dancers around the city, and who ultimately becomes an unlikely ally to Matt Cordell in his pursuit of violent justice. Overall, MANIAC COP 2 ups the body count and creates a nice bookend to what could have been a really stellar two-film series.
Which brings us to the third in the trilogy, MANIAC COP 3. I wish I could tell you this was the best third entry in a horror series of all-time, but that could not be farther from the truth. While LARRY COHEN (RIP) was the writer for all three films, BILL LUSTIG did not take on directing duties for the third entry. I’m not sure if that would have mattered, though, because this film suffers from a lot and poor directing might be the only thing it doesn’t have a problem with. Much like the second film, the third picks up right after its predecessor to continue the story of Matt Cordell. While it may have seemed he was laid to rest at the end of the last film, it turns out a Santeria priest has decided to bring him back. For what reason, well, I’m not totally sure, but I am sure that it totally breaks the mythos and motive established in the first two films as Cordell acting as a vengeful spirit to right the wrongs done to him. This time, it seems he is brought back to do someone else’s bidding, but also possibly find a mate?
It’s hard to pinpoint all the problems with this script, but the main one is that it makes no sense in relation to the other two. As mentioned before, Cordell was always acting from a place of personal revenge to expose the corruption that caused him to be put away and maimed. The simple fact that he is brought back for someone else’s needs flies in the face of the premise that made watching the other two films so much more than just slasher films. Putting that aside though, the film has so many elements it just fails to explain. Like how officer Katie Sullivan is essentially framed and used by the priest to motivate Cordell to take out police officers, but then Cordell somehow sees Katie as a love interest despite the fact she is either dead or comatose at the end. While the idea of tricking Cordell into coming back has weight, the majority of the film doesn’t really center around that. Instead Cordell spends most of the time taking people out in order to get Katie for the priest. The thing is, they never explain what the priest wants with Katie in the first place, and why any of us should care. Adding insult to injury, this one also suffers from pacing issues where the entire second half feels like treading water to get to a very lackluster, and familiar ending. Even the violence in this one feels toned down and while some of the action is entertaining enough, it is infrequent and unremarkable.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
MANIAC COP 2 & 3 have both been upgraded to 4K and for all intents and purposes look amazing. Each film comes with the previous standard blu-ray discs and the upgraded 4K discs alongside them. Both 4K versions are offered in UHD with Dolby Vision HDR and I’ve included some side-by-side comparisons of the blu-ray and 4K discs for reference. The only difference in appearance between the two films visually is the aspect ratio. MANIAC COP 2 is presented in 1:85:1 widescreen and MANIAC COP 3 is presented in 2:35:1 widescreen. While the difference may be slight in the screen grabs, it is quite noticeable on the screen. Details like stray hairs and skin tones are most noticeable, and the new 4K upgrades don’t try to remove the age of the film as much as they do clean it up.
MANAIC COP 2
MANIAC COP 3
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
The audio packages for these two films vary somewhat, with MANIAC COP 2 offering a bit more in both the 4K disc and the blu-ray than MANIAC COP 3. MANIAC COP 2 & 3 both have Dolby Atmos tracks on the 4K disc, and the track sounds great on MANIAC COP 2. The third entry however doesn’t seem to make as much use of Atmos depth capabilities so it feels much less immersive than the 2nd. The blu-ray disc for MANIAC COP 2 comes loaded with a bevy of audio options, many of them ported over from the previous release as this is essentially the same disc. These include a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mix, the original Dolby 2.0 mix (also on the 4k disc), and a D-Box track if one is so fortunate to have that kind of setup in their home theater...which I do not. MANIAC COP 3 on blu-ray has a Dolby DTS-HD 5.1 mix as well as the original Dolby 2.0 mix (also on the 4K disc). While the upgraded sound is nice on both, it is definitely better leveraged on the second film more than the third.
ANYTHING SPECIAL?
For those who own the previous release of both these films, there isn’t much more to add to them save for on the MANIAC COP 3 disc. Both come with the same special features from previous releases, and MANIAC COP 3 has a new commentary track that did not appear on the original release with director ALAN SMITHEE. I did not have a chance to listen to this new commentary track, but I can recommend the 26-minute featurette on the making of MANIAC COP 3 for those who are interested in the somewhat troubled production.
The stand out commentary track is still on the MANIAC COP 2 disc where we are treated to a dual-commentary with Director BILL LUSTIG and Filmmaker NICHOLAS WINDING REFN. REFN is no stranger to horror, and is rumored to be making a reboot of the MANIAC COP series for HBO. It’s a great track with two legendary filmmakers that cinephiles would be remiss for skipping. A full list of special features for each film is listed below:
MANIAC COP 2
Audio Commentary with Director William Lustig and Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn
Back On The Beat - The Making Of MANIAC COP 2
Cinefamily Q&A with Director William Lustig
Deleted Scene
Theatrical Trailers
Poster & Still Gallery
Isolated Music Track
MANIAC COP 3
NEW! Audio Commentary with Director Alan Smithee
Wrong Arm Of The Law - The Making Of MANIAC COP 3
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Poster & Still Gallery
Original Synopsis
LAST RITES
While both of these films are uneven in regards to quality, no one will doubt that these are the best these two films have ever (and probably will ever) look and sound. MANIAC COP 2 & 3 are great additions to your collection if you’re a fan of the first film and/or a fan of BILL LUSTIG, even if the third film leaves a lot to be desired it’s not the worst way to spend 87 minutes. The second film is a bonafide classic in my mind, and for those on the fence about the double-dip you can find solace in knowing you own the best versions of these films out there.
THE GORY DETAILS
Thank you to MVD ENTERTAINMENT for providing the review copies of each of these films! You can pick up both today on their site at the following links:
