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Paramount Pictures presents Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth. Written by Peter Atkins. Based on characters by Clive Barker. Running Time: 93 minutes. Rated R for strong violence and sexuality, and for language. Originally released in 1992.
Director:
Anthony Hickox
Cast:
Doug Bradley..”¦”¦..Pinhead/Captain Elliot Spencer
Terry Farrell..”¦”¦..Joanne ‘Joey’ Summerskill
Paula Marshall..”¦”¦..Terri
Kevin Bernhardt..”¦”¦..J.P. Monroe
Ken Carpenter..”¦”¦..Daniel ‘Doc’ Fisher/Camerahead Cenobite
The Movie:
When you see a man’s face get ripped apart by chains and finally his head explodes within the first 10 minutes of the film you know you’re in for a fun ride. But that’s all this is, a ride; to call this a film is almost an insult to celluloid. And the fun is further and farther between than one might hope.
Like the previous two Hellraiser movies everyone’s favorite Cenobite, Pinhead, and his minions are unleashed on earth and it’s up a plucky reporter (Terry Farrell), and her crazy ‘Nam flashbacks to send him back to hell.
Where this film falls apart is in trying to have a plot and taking itself too seriously. The spooky score is the only thing that keeps the longs scenes of people talking at each other tolerable to sit through. Like Frank from the original Hellraiser, Pinhead needs human blood in order to be released from his prison (see part 2 to find out how he got here). So Pinhead convinces J.P. (Kevin Barnhardt) to start bringing him victims. It’s nearly 50 minutes into the film before, Pinhead, who is pretty much the only reason to watch these movies anymore, is released from his concrete prison. There’s the other big flaw, keeping the main attraction under wraps for so long.
However watching Pinhead, while still stuck in the statue, use chains (always with the chains) skin a woman alive and then “devour” her is very amusing. Then J.P. just starts talking to the statue without a question, it’s very laughable. Once Pinhead is finally loose that’s when the fun really begins, if only for a few minutes. He does get his moment to shine, in a club called The Boiler Room, where he slaughters dozens upon dozens of people and makes himself some new Cenobites, which are totally ridiculous. One has CD’s sticking out of his head, and he throws them at people. One has a camera lens sticking out of his face, and one has a drink shaker full of gasoline that blows fire, huh? Even Joey’s only friend Terri becomes a Cenobite with the terrible power to burn you with her cigarettes, watch out!
The first Hellraiser written & directed by Clive Barker himself, was an interesting tale of love and betrayal. He had a story to tell and used Pinhead and all the gore as window dressing. Now with Clive Barker only involved as a producer, any semblance of an interesting story is gone.
STORY: 4/10
ACTING: 4/10
LOOK/FEEL: 6/10
ORIGINALITY: 4/10
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4/10
FINAL SCORE: 4.5/10
The DVD:
The Video:
The film is presented in anamorphic widescreen 1:85:1. The presentation here is fine. It’s not amazing, but not terrible either.
The Audio:
The film is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0. The sound here is fine as well, nothing interesting to report.
Extras:
Clive Barker: The Art Of Horror: This is an interesting interview with Clive Barker, however it must have been filmed in 1992. It runs near 30 minutes. He talks about his artistic process and his view on the art world. Most interestingly he talks about his first horrible experiences in Hollywood that drove him to directing Hellraiser himself. It also includes the trailers for the first two Hellraiser films.
Theatrical Trailer
The Inside Pulse
There comes a time in the life of every horror franchise when it hits a wall of mediocrity and goes down hill from there. This film is that moment for the Hellraiser series. I can’t believe there are eight of these things now. If you want to see Pinhead strut his stuff, watch the first two. Forget about this film and it’s sequels. You’ll be much better off.
