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Hellraiser II: Hellbound (1988)
I've managed to review a ton of horror films over the years and out of all of the ones that I've done, I've never managed to review a single "Hellraiser" film. Personally I've never been big on the series, at least outside of the first two films so I didn't find much reason to revisit them. Recently that has changed with a new rerelease from the folks at Anchor Bay I had the reason I needed to go back and check this one out. Now I've watched the original "Hellraiser" film many times and I'm sure I'll be watching it well into the future. Although I've found the film to be overrated on many levels today, it's easy seeing why when looking back on it. The series actually did breathe new life into the horror world upon it's inception and that's usually never a bad thing. The first film in the series was original and had a lot to offer fans growing tired of slasher films and pointless sequels at the time. Of course it was rather successful at the box office and the powers to be jumped into action to get a sequel rolling to capitalize. The first film was written and directed by Clive Barker who would bring in another director to helm the sequel as he would produce. That director was a young upstart in the Roger Corman school of directing in Tony Randel.
In "Hellraiser II: Hellbound" we catch up with Kirsty Cotton the young woman who had her father taken away from her in the first film by the Cenobites. Since the events of the first movie, she's been institutionalized in a psychiatric facility. No one believes her story when it pertains to what happened to her family creating more obsticles for young Kirsty. Dr. Channard is the head of the facility and it just so happens that he knows a lot more about what happened with Kirsty's family than you'd expect. Channard seeming understands the power of the puzzlebox and upon some stupidity on his part, we end up having a return by the Cenobites due to some activity at the institiution. All of this also triggers the return of Julia (the woman who was basically responsible for the death of Kirsty's father) from the mattress attempting to return like Frank did in the first installment. All of this comes to a conclusion where Kirsty has to fight the evil Cenobites and close up the portal to hell once and for all.
Upon watching this movie again for the first time in years I was actually surprised at how well some of the special effects hold up. Sure there is stop motion animation that will seem dated to most, but there are some really great practicle effects that are in the film to make up for that. Also the set and costume design are incredibly impressive, especially for a film that was severely lacking in the budget department. The Cenobites look even better than they did in the first film and there is a great scene in the film showing you how Pinhead came to be with an excellent special effects sequence that holds up incredibly well.
For years I've always felt that although the first two films in the series were the only ones worth a damn, that the original was head and shoulders above it's sequel. But after watching this one again, I have to say that is not the case. Although it's not as good as the first film, it does manage to do things that I felt were essential for it being a sequel. First off, they managed to further the story of the Cenobites and actually answer some questions that arouse from the original film which is great. Second, the movie tries to go a step further and deliver what the fans of the first film wanted.....which was more of Pinhead and the Cenobites on screen. In delivering those two things alone the movie itself is justified, but the story and the effort that went into making it certainly don't hurt it any in the long run.
The acting in the film is actually a bit impressive and is certainly better than most films of this caliber. The Cenobites are surely convincing, Ashley Laurence (Kirsty) does an alright job, Kenneth Cranham does a very solid job as Dr Channard, and Claire Higgins (Julia) reprises her role from the first film as well and is one of the main reasons to watch this one.
Overall I would have to say that "Hellraiser II: Hellbound" is quite the strong film over twenty years after it was originally released. Too bad the rest of the sequels after it only tarnished how good the first two films actually are. Or at least it tarnishes it until you go back and watch them with a clear mind. Sure the other films are terrible, but don't let that sway you from checking this one out if you haven't. Along with the first film I would say it's probably required viewing for most horror fans. RECOMMENDED.
Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
