The second installment of the bizarre horror-anthology series ABCs of Death is a big improvement over the first.
Twenty-six directors are each given a letter in the alphabet and a corresponding word. (For example, “X” is for “Xylophone.”) Each director then gets to make a short film involving that word or phrase.
The film, like the first installment, is not rated—and this would be due to some heavy violence. Lots of necks get torn out; heads get chopped off; bodies are torn in half by mutated badgers. My favorite episode would be the one for “M,” and that’s all I am going to say about that.
Most of the segments are in live-action color, but one is shot in a ’50s-style black and white; others are animated. The changes in format keep things from getting tedious.
There were a lot of clunkers in the first one. It had some bigger-name directors involved (Ti West, Ben Wheatley), but it lacked a certain consistency. This installment has fewer recognizable directors, but more creativity and humor.
Non-horror fans need to avoid this like the plague. It’s quite disgusting, but perfect if you are looking for a sick Saturday night.
ABCs of Death 2 is available via video on demand and online sources including iTunes and Amazon.com.