Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
by Tony Randel
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ashley Laurence, Clare Higgins, Doug Bradley, Imogen Boorman, Kenneth CranhamDirector: Tony Randel
Cinematographer: Robin Vidgeon
Producer: Christopher Figg
Producer: Christopher Webster
Producer: Clive Barker
Writer: Clive Barker
Producer: David Barron
Writer: Peter Atkins
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, THX, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 97 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-07-24
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Movie Reviews of Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
Movie Review: An Inferior Sequel
Summary: 3 Stars
After Clive Barker's Hellraiser made a substantial amount of money at the box office and introduced a new horror icon in the form of Pinhead, a sequel was inevitable. The sequel, which is only executive produced by Barker, boasts increased production values, more blood, and more Pinhead. Unfortunately, it also has a weak plot and an embarrassing new cenobite.
The film opens with a quick recap of how #1 ended, before we see (briefly) how Pinhead came to be his nail-studded form. Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) from the first film is now in a psychiatric hospital after the carnage is discovered at her father's home. Kirsty tells the police and staff what happened, but not believes her of course. Soon, however, the malevolent Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham) who runs the hospital has succeeded in resurrecting Kirsty's step-mother Julia (Clare Higgins), who (like Frank from the first film) has no skin. Also along for the ride this time is Tiffany (Imogen Boorman), a patient at the hospital with a talent for solving puzzles. And, of course, Pinhead and his fellow cenobites have much more screen time.
Pinhead's entrance is so grandiose; it's almost comical...But, a worthy (second) introduction to the character.
Now, the makeup effects are much more gruesome this time around. Julie does look frightfully grotesque. I advise you not to eat while watching this movie. Seeing her does make one's stomach churn. Although, it's worth noting that nothing about this movie is disturbing, but much of it is disgusting.
There is some pretty good imagery in this film though and the set/art direction is certainly more finely crafted. Some of the visual effects are, however, incredibly 80s and as such have not aged very well.
As for the character's, Channard is a caricature. He has a foreboding voice and is instantly untrustworthy. When he appears in cenobite form, I shook my head a little. He looks like a cross between a Power Rangers villain and a creature from Beetlejuice.
With that said, I still find the cenobites to be some of the more unique creations to emerge from 80s horror. The fact that their whole existence is shrouded in mystery makes them all the more fascinating...And what makes it so disappointing that they had to dig deeper into the Pinhead character. He was such a menacing presence in the first film; I think the decision to expose his humanity wasn't very wise. It doesn't bring much depth to the character and succeeds only at making him less frightening and therefore less effective.
Overall, it's the plot that breaks this film. While the direction by Barker prot?g?e Tony Randel is even-handed, Peter Atkins' tedious, extraordinarily weak plot struggles to fill its 96-minute running time. While not a complete failure it doesn't succeed as a sequel or even on its own merit. Yes, parts will satisfy the gore-starved horror fan of America and much of it looks pretty cool but all-in-all it's pretty inferior to its much better predecessor.
GRADE: C
Summary of Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
Return to the domain of pleasure and pain as kirsty cotton is committed to a psychiatric hospital run by the strange dr. Channard. But when the doctor uncovers the secret of the lament configuration he resurrects the skinless corpse of kirstys evil stepmother & calls forth the legions of the damned. Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 06/25/2002 Starring: Ashley Laurence Ken Cranham Run time: 99 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Rony RandelDefinitely not one for the weak of stomach, Hellbound takes up where the first Hellraiser left off, piling on the gore to near camp levels. Luckily, the 1988 sequel retains enough of British horror-meister Clive Barker's macabre wit--like the original, it's based on a Barker story--to save it from the schlock-heap. Hospitalized following her last misadventure, Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) implores authorities to destroy a bloody bed at the carnage scene, but the enigmatic Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham) brings an addled patient there and unleashes a dread Cenobite instead. As if that's not bad enough, Kirsty's getting distress calls from her father, who begs her to rescue him from hell. When she journey through hell's dark labyrinths with a mute puzzle solver, however, Kirsty only finds the evil Pinhead (Doug Bradley) and other bizarro creatures, plus her nasty former stepmother and lascivious Uncle Frank. Much maniacal laughter and skin shedding later, the newfound compadres unlock the puzzle box again to safety. Hellbound isn't genius, but it does have flair, which goes a long way toward offsetting Laurence's leaden acting and occasionally over the top gore. --Diane Garrett
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