Pinhead: To Hell and Back

Oh Pinhead. That horror film villain with a cinematic 'killing' preference that I really can't figure out. He is one of the more unorthodox movie monsters (that is to say not as one-dimensional as Jason Voorhees' leisurely walks through Camp Crystal Lake) who is a former human who turned evil then turned back to good then turned back yet again to evil and thankfully stayed as one. Again, he is Pinhead, the master of a sadomasochistic domain akin to hell; yes, minus the fire and brimstone and add up some S&M chains. Actually, he is not as scary as I have imagined, but that facial staying power, with all those nails and all, and an otherworldly leather outfit that is somewhat a distorted version of Neo's attire, is still widely regarded as a common staple in the horror world. Now get that summoning lament configuring box and let's look back at Pinhead's films and direct to video stint that also star a lot of deviated cenobites (his torture assistants that may also be his cooks and masseurs).

Hellraiser (1987, Clive Barker)

At first, still without reading the plot, I thought that this will focus its narrative on Pinhead, but as it turns out, "Hellraiser" is instead a crossover between your typical 'haunted house' horror sub-genre and a doomed love story. This is a horror film that was made with a vision, a vision so dark and imaginative that it has entered the realms of art and never lets go. "Hellraiser" is a graphic film, yes, but it also needs multiple viewings to further explore its core. A great introduction to arguably the most recurring face in the horror film landscape.

FINAL RATING

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988, Tony Randel)

Far more epic, ambitious, and complex than the first one, which by that description easily connotes that I consider this better. And although this was made only with a limited budget, one can still see the imagination and vision that is being unleashed frame by frame. Simply put, "Hellbound: Hellraiser 2" is a masterful horror film that envisions the concept of an 'inferno' not as a blazing afterlife where sinners dwell, but as a windy ruins sprouting dust and deafening pleads of the damned.

FINAL RATING

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992, Anthony Hickox)

A good "Hellraiser" sequel, but instead of staying to the cold and grim tone of the first 2 films, it departed from those moods it best fits and turned into a more fast-paced, action-oriented one. But overall, "Hell on Earth" is not bad as many people think, and the idea of Pinhead having a good and bad side is very interesting, especially their struggle in the climax.

FINAL RATING

Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996, Kevin Yagher) the last theatrically-released film in the series

A decent "Hellraiser" sequel, but in my opinion, this could have been much better and more well-executed. But since it was butchered to pieces, it became a mess, and ultimately denied of the potential it surely has. Although that's the case, Doug Bradley is still a joy to watch as Pinhead, together with his new batch of cenobites. I liked the last brief exchange between Pinhead and Merchant (the protagonist): "Welcome to Oblivion", "Amen."

FINAL RATING

Hellraiser: Inferno (2000, Scott Derrickson) the first direct-to-video entry in the franchise

A good 'Hellraiser' sequel, but aside from being just that, its premises can also be used in a stand-alone film. Lesser Pinhead screen time and ironically, given its subtitle being 'Inferno', less evil work too, because the protagonist's personal demons did the bulk of the work. The film's imagery is also top-notch considering that it's a direct-to-video release, reminding me a lot of "Inland Empire". "Hellraiser: Inferno" is an above-average horror film, and that quality applies both as a franchise entry and as a lone piece.

FINAL RATING

Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002, Rick Bota)

Followed the style of "Inferno" by also having a tortured character as the main protagonist. Many twists and turns, and Pinhead is, as expected, back to collect more souls. But unlike "Inferno", "Hellseeker" had some boring sequences, and is also quite forgettable. But Ashley Laurence's reprisal of her character Kirsty Cotton alone earned a star on my 3-star rating.

FINAL RATING

Hellaiser: Deader (2005, Rick Bota)

A weak entry, with a plot I do not care and with a Pinhead that looked exhausted and seemingly uninterested, though Kari Wuhrer as Amy Klein was quite a performance. The final scene echoes the original Hellraiser's ending. An unnecessary film in a franchise already running out of steam.

FINAL RATING

Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005, Rick Bota)

The weakest film in the series, and also marked the first time where a bunch of disposable teenagers are the main characters, which suggests one very bad thing: that a "Hellraiser" film is finally succumbing into slasher film stereotypes. Even Pinhead is using butcher knives in this one, and the twist is predictable. It's cool though to imagine Pinhead as a software developer. Ha! Rick Bota directed the most films in the franchise (3), but all of them are all too 'mundane' to actually be its true representatives.

FINAL RATING

There you have it, Pinhead's body of work. Though some of his damned adventures are forgettable at best, considerable hints of creativity (or attempts, at least) are evident all throughout, which separates it, although quite flawed in its own right, from other slasher movie franchises. Some entries came very short in terms of quality, but hey, at least Doug Bradley came along for the whole ride.

OVERALL RATING OF THE FRANCHISE (ROUNDED OFF)

A weak entry, with a plot I do not care, and with a Pinhead that looked exhausted and forgettable, though Kari Wuhrer as Amy Klein was quite a performance. The final scene echoes the original Hellraiser's ending, but to be honest, parts 1 , 2, and 5 are the only strong installments of this far-fetched horror franchise.
clear rating

A good hellraiser sequel, but can also be a great film as a stand-alone piece. Lesser Pinhead screen time, and less evil work too, because the protagonist's own personal demons tortured him and does him right. The film's imagery is also top-notch, reminding me a lot of "Inland Empire". "Inferno" is an above-average film, and that quality applies both as a sequel and as a lone film.
clear rating

A decent Hellraiser sequel, but in my honest opinion, this could have been much better and well-executed. But since it was butchered to pieces, it became a mess, and denied of the potential it surely has. Although that's the case, Doug Bradley is still a joy to watch as Pinhead, with his new batch of cenobites. I liked the last brief exchange between Pinhead and Merchant: "Welcome to Oblivion", "Amen."
clear rating

At first, still without reading the plot, I thought that this will focus its epicenter on Pinhead, but as it turned out, "Hellraiser" was indeed a crossover between an underlying sadomasochistic theme and a gothic, and doomed adulterated love story. This is a horror film that was made with a vision, a vision so dark and imaginative that it entered the realm of art and never let go. "Hellraiser" is a graphic film, yes, but it also need multiple viewings to explore its core. And the "Jesus Wept" line is very, very disturbing, far more disturbing than the bloody sequences.
clear rating