Post by slayrrr666 on Oct 29, 2008 10:07:45 GMT -5
“Hellraiser” is a modern horror masterpiece.
**SPOILERS**
Larry Cotton, (Andrew Robinson) and his wife Julia, (Claire Higgins) move into a new house after inheriting it from his brother Frank, (Sean Chapman) which is a complete mess. At first reluctant, Julia quickly takes to the house, and when they move in, daughter Kirsty, (Ashley Laurence) makes a surprise visit. During an accident while moving, Larry gets a cut on his hand that bleeds profusely, causing Frank to become reborn. When Kirsty stumbles on a secret about Frank, the Cenobites, lead by Pinhead, (Doug Bradley) appear to her and demand that she bring them Frank, who has escaped their grasp. When Kirsty returns home to complete her task, she discovers a threat far more vicious than the Cenobites.
The Good News: When this film came out, horror had been stagnating, and when it came out, this film rejuvenated it with a much needed shot in the arm. Most importantly, the atmosphere drips off here quite thickly, and it sucks you in. There really is no best example of this, as it’s present throughout the whole movie. From the lighting to the location of the sets to the general mood of the film, this one is incredibly suspenseful. The best part is the three sequences where the completely rejuvenated Frank comes back, and the special effects in the scene are just wonderfully done. That brings up the gore in here, and this film is incredibly gory. It belongs in the “every wound hits a major artery” kind of movie, so something like a simple cut on the hand is more like an opening to a geyser. Even more comes from the Frank regeneration scenes. He comes back in one part as basically bones with a little bit of skin. It takes so long to come about that it becomes even more gory, and the fact that he comes from a pool of blood is the greatest cap on the scene. From what the regeneration starts at, and the where it ends, is a great highlight to a great scene. Even all the bloody corpses seen in here are pretty disgusting, being mangled and distorted beyond belief. The other deaths are just as good, and include some pretty brutal moments. This includes the ever-popular dismemberment by chained-hooks scene. It was a really gory part of the film, and is one of it’s more iconic images. Of course, one can’t talk about this film without mentioning the Cenobites, which are introduced in here and are one of the best horror creations of all time. Demonic looking in nature, each one has a distinct look and personality that looks particularly demonic and scary. They are legendary and for good reason. They are the heart and soul of this movie.
The Bad News: Convoluted plot line aside, there wasn’t much wrong with this one. It takes a while to get all out of the plot, but it’s still a little all over the place.
The Final Verdict: This is one of the greatest horror films of all time, and by seeing it, you’ll see why. Take a look at this one: it has something for everyone with different types. There really isn’t much more to say: just look for yourself.
Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Brief Nudity and several sex scenes
