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Hellbound: Hellraiser II


Reviewed by: Justin Sallows
Genre: Horror
Video: Anamorphic 1:85:1 Widescreen, Fullscreen
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround
Language: English
Subtitle: none
Length: 1 hrs 58 mins
Rating: Unrated
Release Date: July 31st, 2001
Studio: Anchor Bay
Commentary: Actress Ashley Lawrence, Writer Pete Atkins and Director Tony Randel
Documentaries: None
Featurettes: "Lost in the Labyrinth" (16 min)
Filmography/Biography: None
Interviews: None
Trailers/TV Spots: 1 Trailer
Alternate/Deleted Scenes: None
Music Video: None
Other: THX Optimode
Cast and Crew: Ashley Lawrence Imajen Boorman Claire Higgins, Ken Cranham
Screenplay by: Written by: Pete Atkins
Produced by: Christopher Figg
Directed By: Tony Randel
Music: Christopher Young
The Review: Hellbound picks up right where the first film leaves off. Kirsty is recovering in a psychiatric ward where she meets a Doctor who does not admit that he is intrigued by her story. He confiscates the mattress found at the scene where the evil stepmother Julia died in the first installment. He retains it in his study where we discover he has long been a student of the occult, and consequently the mystical puzzle boxes that open the doors to hell. He sets the demon Julia free of her immortal bonds where we replay some of the plot of the original. Julia needs the blood of innocents to coaless as a mortal on our plane, and the good Doctor is more than happy to provide them anticipating the sexual gratification she will bestow. Utilizing another of his patients, the doors to the afterworld are once again opened, and all the main characters find themselves in the "Labyrinth", the hell which spawned the Cenobytes. Each on their own missions of revenge, power and escape, their paths cross and intersect in the corridors and halls made of the blackest of visions. Although Clive Barker's involvement was minimal (he executive produced), we definately feel his touch in this visceral sequel. Nothing has really changed in Kirsty's world except the introduction of new characters. The realization of the Cenobytes homeworld is claustrophobic and threatening. The production design is superb. Check out the props in the Doctors study. The performances are all convincing and the effects, while somewhat dated, also feel at home in the story. The origins of Pinhead are hinted at if not completely revealed. He is a larger screen presence in this film while the other Cenobytes take a back seat. Overall an involving movie with haunting imagery.
Image and Sound Anchor Bay has once again proved invaluable with the release of this classic genre film on DVD. Somehow they manage to include both the widescreen and fullscreen versions of the film on a single side. The widescreen version is even anamorphically enhanced. There were virtually no scratches or dust, and no compression artifacts anywhere on this transfer. Considering the plentiful black areas of this film, I was surprised to see such saturation. I didn't even see much grain. I was surprised to see this film in such pristine quality with this release. Included as well is a new Dolby 5.1 mix that enhances the considerable mood throughout. The rumbling of the "Lament Configuration", the dark lord of Hell, emanates menacingly from the subwoofer, and Christian Youngs excellent score is omnipresent in the surrounds. I was very pleased with this presentation, and as I said, quite surprised at its integrity. This is the only way to see this film from now on. Throw away your laserdiscs, your VHS, because nothing else comes close!
The Extras At 16 minutes the featurette is not too in depth, consisting of interviews with Clive Barker, Doug Bradley, Ashley Lawrence, Director Tony Randel, Writer Pete Atkins, and other minor cast members. It does however, offer a glimpse into the production. They recant their memory of the production and we hear short stories like the one where "Chatterer" was hooked in the mouth and nearly severely injured, and how he insisted he be allowed to see in the new costume. Aside from this and the commentary and the trailer, the only other extra is a stills gallery consisting of 35 stills either from the film or for promotional purposes. There are a couple of behind the scenes shots included however.
Commentary This is a good track, and unlike other ensemble pieces, they all take turns remembering the production. Pete Atkins relates the themes he was trying to convey and Tony tells of his luke-warm response to the final product. An extensive dissagreement erupts during the "uncle Frank scene". Tony would have like to cut the scene entirely because he beleives that it has nothing to do with the rest of the plot and slows the film down. Ashley and Pete enjoy the scene and Pete particularly defends its need in the film as it relates to Kirty's charater arc. Just when you think they've stopped argueing about this small scene, it gets brought up a few more times. Tony discusses how he would leave the theater during that scene at the screening and re-enter when it was over. An interesting topic they hit on is the various versions of the film that were released. A missing scene from the American theatrical release is reintegrated as well as extensive footage of "Browning" cutting himself with the razor. There also other scenes that were omitted because they didn't work, like "Chatterer" going through a transformation, and Pinhead performing an operation. A still of this is included in the stills gallery.
Final Words: I remember exiting the theater when I first saw Hellbound thinking it was the greatest sequel ever made. I can think of few exceptions today. It did not eclipse the original, but expanded its ideas to new realms. The hell that it explores is quite wicked and gruesome, but ultimately interesting and well acheived. This is the film that would cement Tony Randel in the horror genre, sending him off to lesser films like "Hellraiser III", "Ticks", and "Amityville: It's about Time". Say what you will about his recent resume', he managed to maintain a visually rich style that marks all of his films. In my mind, only the first two films in this series are worthy of Clive Barkers name. Although I enjoy elements of all of them, these are the only ones that are cohesive in story and consistant in tone. All fans should buy this disc. If you were one of the lucky DVD junkies that bought the "Limited Edition" tin last year of "Hellraiser", then you already have this exact disc. I you weren't in that elite group, then by all means make a B-Line to your DVD retailer and pick up this release.


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 August 6, 2001