Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 (Widescreen)

 

 

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Frank and Julia's forbidden love affair was the focus of Hellraiser, but the cenobites stole the show. This time around the cenobites are given a lot more screen time. Dr. Channard, a man with dark obsessions, devotes his life to researching the infernal netherworld. Kirsty becomes his latest patient at his psychiatric hospital, and after hearing of the events that took place in the first movie, Channard decides to reanimate the evil Julia. He agrees to bring her victims so she can continue regenerating, and in exchange she will be his guide in the labyrinth that is Hell.

Christopher Young's music is awesome. Loud, dramatic, and ominous - the movie's theme during the opening credits lets the viewers know what they're getting into. His music is also very significant during the scene when Tiffany solves the puzzle box. The music conveys Tiffany's childlike innocence and her sense of wonder as she handles and studies the box. The tone and speed of the music (as Tiffany manipulates the box) raises the tension to a fever pitch. Then, after a deafening silence, the movie's theme erupts as the gateway to Hell is unlocked, and the cenobites are once again freed to walk the Earth. Their spectacular entrance in this scene was even more impressive than in the first movie when they appeared after Kirsty solved the box. This scene is also when Pinhead delivers the most important line of Hellraiser II: "It is not hands that call us - it is DESIRE." But you need to hear Doug Bradley's delivery of that line for it to have any affect on you. That line may look laughable, but it is powerful and so significant because it speaks volumes about the nature of the cenobites. It seems the cenobites will not slaughter someone who solves the box UNLESS that person has a desire to see what happens when the box is solved - even if that person DOESN'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN when the box is solved. That would explain why they wanted to torture Kirsty in the first movie. And since Tiffany wanted to solve the box simply for the sake of solving the puzzle, she was spared. She had no idea anything would happen when she solved the box. That raises questions about the nature of the game - since the cenobites obviously knew it was Channard who called them, why didn't they go after him? Or did they think it was Kirsty who called them?

Channard has no qualms at all when he has people killed, and yet he is a timid man. It is clear that he expects Julia to protect him from whatever unknown terrors are lurking in Hell. Channard ultimately finds what he is looking for - and pays a painful price. There is a cenobite battle in Hellraiser II, which was disappointing because it was so one-sided. There is a reason for this though, and in case you don't get it when you watch the movie, it's explained on the audio commentary.

The DVD has an audio commentary by Ashley Laurence, director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins. Their commentary was very descriptive and informative. They gently poke fun at their mistakes, and this makes the commentary more enjoyable. Lord knows there were some glaring mistakes. But did anyone besides me notice the hostility that seems to exist between Randel and Atkins? The thought of them sharing a mutual dislike of each other and grudgingly doing this commentary together gives me perverse pleasure.

I LOVED this movie up until Kirsty's reunion with Frank. From that point on this movie goes to hell (in a manner of speaking). It would have been nice if the script had dropped the dumb subplot of Kirsty looking for her father - even if that left no reason for the Kirsty character to be in this movie. It's near the end of the movie when Pinhead delivers his infamous line "Your suffering will be LEGENDARY - even in Hell." But even Pinhead's wit can't uplift the last half hour of this movie. But it was pretty funny to see the patients tearing the hospital apart - and just how did they get their hands on all those puzzle boxes? A different actress plays the Female Cenobite in Hellraiser II - she is less menacing in this movie, but is still entertaining. I was glad to see that she still had the bloodlust that was so evident in the first movie. But I would have preferred it if she didn't sound so nonchalant when she was talking, and I missed the wide-eyed stare of the actress from the first movie. The Chatterer has a different face at one point in Hellraiser II, which confused me until I heard the audio commentary. Personally, I preferred the Chatterer's original face. It was a real surprise when the Chatterer's identity was revealed. Without giving away too much, it involves a shocking scene - the murder of a child. The ending of Hellraiser II made no sense whatsoever, but I'm guessing that the filmmakers wanted to wait until the sequel to explain what's going on in Hell. And yes, as of this writing I have only seen the first two movies in the Hellraiser series.

Hellraiser II also reveals Pinhead's background. Needless to say I was disappointed - I preferred to think of the cenobites as having Lovecraftian origins. I even dreamed up a whole history and mythology for the cenobites after seeing the first movie! But I loved the look of dread and despair on Pinhead's face (right before undergoing his 'surgery') toward the end of the movie - you know that if someone like him is fearing for his own safety then he must be in serious danger. How the mighty have fallen. Buy the soundtrack and this DVD so that you can properly savour the first two-thirds of this movie.

I really feel that the Hell Raiser "tale" should have been left on its own. Pinhead and Clive Barker's work is too precious to me, but then again, you can't help but want more!
So from what I understand, the lady that helped Clive with the original Hell Raiser movie, which is based off of the book: Hell Bound Heart. Was given premission from Clive to continue on with the Hell Raiser story (can't blame him, easy money). What she came up with Hell Raiser 2-4. The effects all seem to be from the same effects artists, at least for part 1, and 2. And the story, while dragging it out a bit too far, and into somewhat comic book proportions, including some failure to explain small details, like how Pinhead came back from death, since he was slain in hell, and if he could come back, then why couldn't he ressurect his minions, rather than slaughter a dance club, and create some kool, yet some what gimpy cenobytes such as CD Man.
Hell Raiser II remains most true in for to the feel and look of the original, with only a dash of comic book, and some VERY delightful creatures, beautiful women (pt 4), and interesting story line. The gore of course is great in the uncut version, and the show down is wonderful! "The Doctor Is In".

Bottom line, as much as I feel that the original should stand on its own, I am still very happy with the 1st 3 sequals. It is NO WHERE near as bad as the Candy Man sequals! :)

I'd give it a 5 star if part 1 did not exist.

If you are a horror movie fan like me, this is the movie for you. This movie has it all gore,flesh ripping, blood, guts and sex. The cenobites are the best character demons ever made for a movie. They are truly evil. I think this one was better than the first one only b/c it explores the unimagainable. it lets us into there world and we don't want to leave without seeing what happens. I mean lust, sex, violence,we are all interested in a certain way. This movie explains that the greatest treasure is not always what you may think. I think that 1, 2, and 3 are the greatest gore movies of all time. Storyline is terrific. I like the way these movies make you feel guilty and downright weird. They make you feel like PINHEAD is your neighbor. The scene on the bed and the doctors patient is the most disturbing deathe scene of all time. This movie will scare you and make your skin crawl and have you not wanting to solve any puzzles

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3.0 out of 5 stars not all its cracked up to be....
it is quite boring but apart from that it's okay i suppose.
it's not got pinhead in it very much, just like the first one.

Published on April 30 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars This sequel will tear your soul apart !!!
Before I even begin my review, I will just state that the first film, "Hellraiser", is the best one. Read more

Published on April 29 2004 by Patrick N. J. McCaffery

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Hellbound is weird.
Firstly, Hellbound:Hellraiser 2 is not just a second-rate sequel, but expands on, and perhaps even betters it's original. Read more

Published on April 3 2004 by Broken_Harlequin

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant Horror, only bettered by the original!
Simply put, horror movies just don't get much better than this (only the original betters it).

Anyone who doesn't like this film just isn't a horror fan & must spend the... Read more

Published on Feb 25 2004 by Dragon0303

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, Cynical film reflecting dark, brooding times
There are few horror films that produce truly great sequels. Hellbound delivers this greatness in full realization. Read more

Published on Feb 16 2004 by Quentin Xavier

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Imaginative!
Another rare example of the sequel being better than the original film! Pinhead & the Cenobites are back, this time assisting Kirsty Cotten who is trying to outwit the evil... Read more

Published on Dec 30 2003 by Brandon L. Harlow

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sequel!
The story continues as Kirsty ( Ashley Laurence) is in a asylum after the events of part 1, she discovers that Julia ( Clare Higgens) from the original has been brought back to... Read more

Published on Dec 8 2003 by John Lindsey

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this now!!
Awesome sequal to one of the best Horror movies ever made!!

Published on Nov 17 2003 by Deimos

5.0 out of 5 stars I ENJOYED THIS ONE MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL.
The original movie was truly groundbreaking and original,but I find myself enjoying the sequel even more. Read more

Published on Nov 15 2003 by Edgar Sanchez

2.0 out of 5 stars RENT IT, BUT DON'T BUY IT
THIS TIME, KIRSTY [ASHLEY LAURANCE] GOES TO HELL IN SEARCH OF HER FATHER. I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT NOTHING REALLY HAPPENS HERE. Read more

Published on Oct 8 2003 by MICHAEL TAYLOR

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