ABCs of Death 2.5 (2016) User Reviews

Entertaining, but one VERY significant fault when compared to the first two.

[sixstringjam · 4/10 · 5 September 2018]

I love the first 2 ABCs of Death movies, so obviously, this was a no-brainer when I found out it existed. Since I didn't have much money, I decided to rent it on Amazon Video rather than buy it. This was a very good decision.

The short films are good, entertaining, and creative, and I can definitely see why the studio decided to release this installment, in order to acknowledge the entries that were stellar, but just barely fell short, yet more than deserved recognition in their own right. Honestly, I would give this a 7 or 8, if not for one absolutely fatal flaw, in my opinion: they show what word is the basis of the short film BEFORE the short film is played.

In the first two installments, the short film plays and then the word is revealed, which brings a sense of mystery to the experience, as you're trying to figure out what the keyword is. When you know what the word is prior to seeing the short film, it takes away all of the mystery and fun of trying to figure out the premise and what word the director could be representing or interpreting. This makes it impossible to have that moment of revelation and realization, where everything just clicks and you can appreciate the nuance and creativity of every detail, something that made the first two movies so much fun to watch.

Keep in mind, this is just my opinion, and it is a major hindrance to the experience to me. If this dactor isn't as important to you as it is to me, then there is a lot of enjoyment to be had here. However, if you agree with me on this element, then I still recommend watching it, since the short films are done well, but only rent it, or watch if it is freely available on a streaming service. It will ultimately leave you far less satisfied than the first two.

Not as effective as the last one

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 4/10 · 19 June 2022]

Technically, this shouldn't be counted as one of the pieces of the original series cause there are a couple of reasons backing up this verdict. For one, this time the shorts are collected from fan entries around the globe as opposed to submissions from professional filmmakers. And two, it doesn't obey the alphabetical pattern of the last two; instead, they have decided to only employ the letter 'M'.

Not only did this particular decision influence the established format of this conception, but it also constrained all the creators from an artistic point of view as well as from boundlessly exhibiting their skills and creativeness. While the clips themselves aren't anything terrible, it's rather the quality on a collective level that took an apparent hit this time around as the gradual degradation in their typical standards is quite observable.

A Gore Fest for the so Faint of Heart

[eternal_buzz · 5/10 · 4 August 2016]

ABCs of Death 2.5 is a production created by Drafthouse Films. The good people at Drafthouse Films invited directors from all over the world to submit a short film (sometimes less that 2 minutes long)about their take on dead. Out of the 500 films submitted ABCs of Death 2.5 is a compilation of the best 26 shorts submitted. Just when you think it couldn't get any better each short film begins with the letter 'M'.

The film is basically like Rob Zombie and Quentin Tarantino both got together, got drunk and then make a completely over the top compilation of the weirdest ways to kill people, or kill themselves in some cases.

Even for the content there's nothing too gory here if you seen either one of their movies but I wouldn't bring the kids.

M is for Mindless Drivel.

[BA_Harrison · 3/10 · 13 January 2017]

The challenge was to make a horror short of three minutes or less, inspired by the letter 'M'. Over 500 entries were submitted from around the globe, of which 26 finalists were compiled to make The ABC's of Death 2.5.

With such a short run-time in which to try and tell a story, the majority of 2.5's episodes prove predictably insubstantial, mere excuses for the film-makers to be as bizarre or outrageously gross as possible ('M is for Munging' being the winner there!). And as much as I enjoy the occasional spot of weirdness or gratuitous splatter, this rapid-fire collection left me longing for something a little more coherent.

Of the 26 entries, only a handful manage to impress: opening effort 'M is for Magnetic Tape' delivers a fun premise and some great special effects, 'M is for Malnutrition' ends with a neat Twilight Zone style twist, 'M is for Morman Missionaries' has a warped EC comics style payoff, and 'M is for Mother' features a big-ass spider.

The rest of the entries left me either disappointed or scratching my head in bewilderment.

What A Drop-off!

[tiskec · 2/10 · 30 August 2020]

This was a major disappointment. If you're going to compare this one to the other two, you will be let down tremendously.

Everything in this movie looked very ameture. It's almost as if the scenes were the ones that didn't make the cut for the other ABCs of death. Everything was cheesy and very low budget. The other two movies made you at least cringe, had you overly disgusted, or were laughable. All I could do with this movie is roll my eyes.

I do not recommend this movie if you've happened to see parts one and two.

Clown Reviews

[martymoves · 6 February 2023]

I haven't even seen this yet but i'm going to address the idiots in the room:

THIS FILM IS NOT A SEQUEL OR A CONTINUANCE IN THE SERIES. GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS.

This is a composition of "Finalists" whose features did not make the cut. This is not Part 3, these are submissions/Entrants that didn't make the final cut.

For those saying it wasn't as good as the original or 2nd entry, to you I say: NO S#it!! You mongrels.

Clearly it isn't as good, otherwise they would have made the final cut. How stupid are all of you that you can't even comprehend what you are criticising.

Welcome to the idiotic age of millenials.

Only a few shorts are worth bothering with

[gridoon2024 · 4/10 · 24 March 2020]

Although a number of the 26 shorts included in this package are better than the actual M short that did end up winning the contest and appearing on "ABCs of Death 2", most of them are the horror equivalent of a bad joke, or at least a joke with a bad punchline. I won't go over every short as that would be excessive and tiresome both for me and for anyone reading this; I will just say that Mind Meld is the best, Mermaid is the worst, Marriage is one of the most accomplished, I appreciate the effort of the claymated Maieusiophobia and Meat, Malnutrition has a hot zombie-killing leading lady, Mother and Mutant have good FX for the budget, and the otherwise terrible Messiah has one great image (a cracking moon). *1/2 out of 4 on average.

Mwah

[blinkie1969 · 3/10 · 22 September 2020]

I enjoyed abc of death 1 & 2! I find this 2.5 disappointing and quite boring.

the feeling like they were leftovers

[trashgang · 5/10 · 25 August 2016]

Were as the first two entries did deliver pure gore and horror this next part in the franchise isn't the best. It do offer some gory moments but there also shorts that make you go, what is this and what has it to do with the ABC franchise.

All shorts are only 3 minutes long and so you have to put all the segments to make it a horror or a watchable flick into those moments. And that's the problem with this compilation. There are parts that like the first one you are thinking oh yes, this is gonna be a hell of a ride because it did contain gore but also absurd moments. And there are a few with that kind of story. Just have a look at ABC 1 and 2. The time the short take were overall longer and you were sucked into the story. here you are left sometimes with a bitter feeling, it's like these shorts were leftovers.

It do has a bit of gore here and there but I can't say that it is something of a gore galore compilation. Just another mediocre entry.

Gore 1/5 Nudity 0,5/5 Effects 2,5/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

This feels just for horror fans and filmmakers

[Nconiendo · 8/10 · 28 May 2017]

This is not for people who like a typical horror movie from start to finish. If you thoroughly enjoyed the ABC's of Death 1 and 2 you will like a lot of the films in this one. Granted, each one is different and I don't think it's possible to love each one the same if at all and that should be expected by viewers. The producers tell you what you're going to get and there shouldn't be any surprises. I really love the fact that they had such a respect for the people who made these films that they did something with them. That being said, a couple of the shorts I straight up didn't like at all but it didn't deter me in the least bit. There were others that I just loved and found clever, strange or downright hilarious. This is a great one to rent if you have a small group of friends over and can watch it together.