I've been watching horror films ever since I can remember. The first one I really remember seeing was Halloween 2. I was 11 when I saw this film and it was the first horror film that really creeped me out after being desensitized by modern horror films (pre-1987). I remember lots of controversy about "Hellraiser" and it's sequel "Hellbound: Hellraiser II" about the amount of gore, sex, and violence and the MPAA wanting to rate them X (before NC-17). I can't believe my parents took me to see it! The acting is decent, but a little wooden. Some of the special effects are pretty silly, like the yellow and blue bolts of electricity (they were borderline-bad back in 1987), but they remain effective and aren't too distracting as some effects in the third "Hellraiser" installment. I remember, even at eleven, that the scariest parts of the film weren't with the cenobytes, but the scenes with Clare Higgins who plays Kirsty's wicked stepmother, Julia. She's cold, distant, calculating, sly, and evil. Uncle Frank is also menacing, but I wouldn't say he is as evil as Julia, but the incestuous feelings toward Kirsty are enough to creep anyone out. I also liked the fact that the films is not quite all-American or British. It makes the movie more accessible to both countries, while keeping that 'this-might-be-anywhere' feeling (like Willy Wonka--where the hell did that take place?). As an adult, this movie is still pretty shocking in it's gore and violence, but not as scary.
Review of Hellraiser
