Watchers II (1990)

Top secret genetic engineering gone wrong!  This is what you get in this b-grade sequel (or is it a remake?) to the Corey Haim-led Watchers, a film no one remembers for good reason.  With a bit more gore and a change in scenery, this creature feature pumps up the volume on its lifeless predecessor.

"It is a low budget release and it shows"


Shot for a dime in 1990 under Roger Corman’s watch and based loosely on the 1987 novel Watchers by Dean Koontz, Watchers II continues the horror story of genetically altered life forms running loose in a top-secret laboratory and manages to be better than the original . . . although not by much.  I mean cheaply made creatures in rubber suits can only go so far . . . especially when the weight of the movie is being carried by none other than Marc Singer (The Beastmaster, V) and a cute dog that has a link to the creature - which doesn’t remain in the shadows for too long.

You read that right. It’s dog versus creature in this dollar deal.Watchers II (1990)

Co-starring Tracy Scoggins (Babylon V) as an animal psychologist, Watchers II expands the attack arena of the first one to include the wilderness and a research lab while offering lots of views of the creature itself. Turns out, the super smart dog at the center of this cheapo depot monster flick is linked to this rubber-suited beast and, when Singer - playing a fugitive from the Marines - partners up with the intelligent golden retriever, it’s only a matter of time before the beast (dubbed The Outsider) goes after them.

Growls give way to some really laughable acting as the camera provides a point of view from the monster time and time again.  It lunges! It lurches!  It gets some really comical reactions as Jonathan Farwell, playing a rogue scientist, goes for broke in protecting his experiments . . . except - along with Paul (Singer) - they are already loose!

Issued on blu-ray from a brand-new 2K transfer of the interpositive, Watchers II is limited to 1500 copies and is available to purchase only through Shout! Factory.  It turns out you can teach a dog new tricks!

3/5 beers

 

Watchers II (1990)

Blu-ray Details

Home Video Distributor: Shout! Factory
Available on Blu-ray
- April 26, 2022
Screen Formats: 1.33:1; 1.85:1
Subtitles
: English SDH
Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

A shadowy government agency's sinister experiments have resulted in a pair of unnatural creatures: one is a benign, super-intelligent golden retriever, and the other an inhuman killing machine. Linked by a psychic bond, the dog and the monster escape the watchful eyes of their creators, resulting in a brutal killing spree. Paul Ferguson (Marc Singer, The Beastmaster, V) discovers the dog, and with the help of an animal psychologist (Tracy Scoggins, Babylon 5, The Colbys), they must stop the murderous monster before they become its latest victims.

Video:

Presented with either a 1.33:1 or 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Watchers II doesn’t exactly look breathtaking on this release with warm and eye popping colors.  Sure, it is a punch-up in contrast and colors from prior DVD releases.  Black levels are steady, colors are okay, and flesh tones are accurate.  It is a low budget release and it shows as even interiors are cold, empty, and dark.  This release is strictly for the Cult of Corman.  

Audio:

A DTS-Audio Mono track provides all the gruesome growls.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • None

Special Features:

  • None

Blu-ray Rating

  Movie 3/5 stars
  Video  3/5 stars
  Audio 3/5 stars
  Extras 0/5 stars

Composite Blu-ray Grade

2.5/5 stars


Film Details

Watchers II (1990)

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime:
101 mins
Director
: Thierry Notz
Writer:
John Brancato; Michael Ferris
Cast:
Marc Singer; Tracy Scoggins; Jonathan Farwell
Genre
: Horror | Sci-fi
Tagline:

Memorable Movie Quote:
Theatrical Distributor:
Concorde Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date:
August 16, 1990
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
April 26, 2022.
Synopsis: A genetically re-engineered dog develops a psychic link with a monster created in a lab experiment which goes awry.

Art

Watchers II (1990)