Hellraiser: Inferno
After getting a lot of warnings about the direct-to-video movies, I was actually going in with the expectation that this would be bad. What's crazy is that not only do I think this is a good movie, but I think it's quite solid. First things first, it makes no sense that this is a Hellraiser movie, but that's the only real flaw I can find with this besides some budget issues.
This is a really cool thriller that is obviously inspired by Silent Hill, Jacob's Ladder, and The Jacket. What makes that all the more fascinating to me is that Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008) was said to be influenced by Hellraiser itself. Funnily enough, it's like all these properties are getting inspired by themselves! I really need to rewatch Jacob's Ladder and The Jacket.
Okay, enough with the meta stuff. Let's talk about the film proper!
All the acting in this is actually better than that of all the other movies combined, if you don't count Ashley Laurence and Doug Bradley carrying the first two films. Craig Sheffer kills it as the main character, and I don't think very many people could convey such a strong character going mad. I appreciated his slow transformation into someone irredeemable and how his story played out. Also, I lied... Let's get meta again! Perhaps after the ending of this movie, one can finally understand why this franchise is called HELLRAISER! (I promise you, that's the funniest joke ever if you've watched the ending.)
Well, this is a good sign that there won't be as much suffering as I thought. I'm watching all of the Hellraiser movies this October, and I'm glad that even the "worst movies" still have some charm to them. Don't get me wrong, my expectations for the next few will still be very low. Maybe that's the only thing that can save me...
Anyways, I have a ranked list up of the Hellraiser movies I've watched so far!
This is a really cool thriller that is obviously inspired by Silent Hill, Jacob's Ladder, and The Jacket. What makes that all the more fascinating to me is that Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008) was said to be influenced by Hellraiser itself. Funnily enough, it's like all these properties are getting inspired by themselves! I really need to rewatch Jacob's Ladder and The Jacket.
Okay, enough with the meta stuff. Let's talk about the film proper!
All the acting in this is actually better than that of all the other movies combined, if you don't count Ashley Laurence and Doug Bradley carrying the first two films. Craig Sheffer kills it as the main character, and I don't think very many people could convey such a strong character going mad. I appreciated his slow transformation into someone irredeemable and how his story played out. Also, I lied... Let's get meta again! Perhaps after the ending of this movie, one can finally understand why this franchise is called HELLRAISER! (I promise you, that's the funniest joke ever if you've watched the ending.)
Well, this is a good sign that there won't be as much suffering as I thought. I'm watching all of the Hellraiser movies this October, and I'm glad that even the "worst movies" still have some charm to them. Don't get me wrong, my expectations for the next few will still be very low. Maybe that's the only thing that can save me...
Anyways, I have a ranked list up of the Hellraiser movies I've watched so far!
Mini Review: I expected this to be bad after all the warnings about Hellraiser's direct-to-video sequels, but it's a solid thriller! It makes little sense as a Hellraiser movie, and budget shows, but I loved its Silent Hill, Jacob's Ladder, and The Jacket vibes. Craig Sheffer is fantastic as a man losing his mind, and the acting beats most of the franchise. Also, the ending explains why it's called HELLRAISER! I'm watching every movie this October, and maybe these sequels won't be pure suffering after all...