It had been a long time since my initial viewing of Hellbound, but I remember not enjoying it very much. However, wishing to add a comment about the film here on IMDb for the sake of completeness (I had already reviewed the original and part 3, and intend to watch the further instalments in the future), I decided to refresh my memory whilst also giving it another chance to impress me.
And besides, it also seemed like a good excuse for me to get another fix of the lovely Ashley Laurence!
Directed by Tony Randel, Hellbound follows on immediately from the events in Hellraiser, with a traumatised Kirsty (Laurence) recovering in a mental institution. In the first of several rather contrived plot developments, the head of the institute, Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham), turns out to be a student of all things 'Cenobite' and, upon hearing Kirsty ranting about demons and boxes, decides to seize his opportunity to experience Hell first-hand.
After acquiring the blood-soaked mattress on which Kirsty's step-mother Julia (Clare Higgins) died, the nasty doctor takes one of his institute's more extreme nutters, who believes that he is covered in maggots, and hands the poor fellow an open cut-throat razor. The seriously disturbed lunatic slashes at the imaginary creepy-crawlies on his flesh, cutting himself to ribbons in the process (definitely not a scene for the squeamish!). The flow of blood revives Julia who, in one of the films most shocking and disturbing sequences, crawls from the mattress to feed.
The twisted Dr. Channard then forms a bizarre relationship with the semi-rejuvenated Julia, bringing her more sustenance (and indulging with her in the occasional spot of slap 'n' tickle) until she is fully revived. In return for helping her, Julia (who thankfully no longer sports that horrible hairdo she had in Hellraiser) shows Channard the key to unlocking the doorway to hell: Tiffany, another of his patients, who is adept at solving all manner of puzzles (another convenient coincidence, methinks!).
Meanwhile, Kirsty has seen a bloody vision of her father pleading to be released from his suffering in Hell, and also seeks a way into the world of the Cenobites...
Whilst I am sure all of this twisted sado-masochistic, occult-based nonsense makes perfect sense to creator Clive Barker, who obviously views this world (and beyond) in ways I cannot (or do not) want to imagine, it appears to me that Hellbound's director Randel and screenwriter Peter Atkins were not quite so clear about the author's vision when making this film (and who can blame them?).
Hellbound begins well enough, but gradually becomes more and more confusing, until the totally incomprehensible finale which takes place in a labyrinthine version of hell consisting of dodgy matte paintings and cheap visual effects. Although there is undeniably loads of inventive imagery and gruesome gore to ensure that the film is never boring, it is way too messy (and I'm not talking about the blood and guts) and incoherent to be a satisfying experience.
Throw in a silly cenobite version of Channard that makes wise-cracks ala Freddy Krueger, and a twist ending in which Kirsty wears Julia's skin to win her battle against evil, and you have a film that, although not quite as bad as I had remembered, is a long way from the quality of the original.
5.5 out of 10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb.
And besides, it also seemed like a good excuse for me to get another fix of the lovely Ashley Laurence!
Directed by Tony Randel, Hellbound follows on immediately from the events in Hellraiser, with a traumatised Kirsty (Laurence) recovering in a mental institution. In the first of several rather contrived plot developments, the head of the institute, Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham), turns out to be a student of all things 'Cenobite' and, upon hearing Kirsty ranting about demons and boxes, decides to seize his opportunity to experience Hell first-hand.
After acquiring the blood-soaked mattress on which Kirsty's step-mother Julia (Clare Higgins) died, the nasty doctor takes one of his institute's more extreme nutters, who believes that he is covered in maggots, and hands the poor fellow an open cut-throat razor. The seriously disturbed lunatic slashes at the imaginary creepy-crawlies on his flesh, cutting himself to ribbons in the process (definitely not a scene for the squeamish!). The flow of blood revives Julia who, in one of the films most shocking and disturbing sequences, crawls from the mattress to feed.
The twisted Dr. Channard then forms a bizarre relationship with the semi-rejuvenated Julia, bringing her more sustenance (and indulging with her in the occasional spot of slap 'n' tickle) until she is fully revived. In return for helping her, Julia (who thankfully no longer sports that horrible hairdo she had in Hellraiser) shows Channard the key to unlocking the doorway to hell: Tiffany, another of his patients, who is adept at solving all manner of puzzles (another convenient coincidence, methinks!).
Meanwhile, Kirsty has seen a bloody vision of her father pleading to be released from his suffering in Hell, and also seeks a way into the world of the Cenobites...
Whilst I am sure all of this twisted sado-masochistic, occult-based nonsense makes perfect sense to creator Clive Barker, who obviously views this world (and beyond) in ways I cannot (or do not) want to imagine, it appears to me that Hellbound's director Randel and screenwriter Peter Atkins were not quite so clear about the author's vision when making this film (and who can blame them?).
Hellbound begins well enough, but gradually becomes more and more confusing, until the totally incomprehensible finale which takes place in a labyrinthine version of hell consisting of dodgy matte paintings and cheap visual effects. Although there is undeniably loads of inventive imagery and gruesome gore to ensure that the film is never boring, it is way too messy (and I'm not talking about the blood and guts) and incoherent to be a satisfying experience.
Throw in a silly cenobite version of Channard that makes wise-cracks ala Freddy Krueger, and a twist ending in which Kirsty wears Julia's skin to win her battle against evil, and you have a film that, although not quite as bad as I had remembered, is a long way from the quality of the original.
5.5 out of 10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb.