The sequel to any successful horror movie is very important. It can either make or break a hopeful franchise. FRIDAY THE 13Th went badass, THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE went over the top but still fun, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD went legendary, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET went gay (not that there's anything wrong with that), CRITTERS went Critterball, SCREAM went poopy, THE EXORCIST went mindfuck and HELLRAISER went to Hell.
Starting off where the original left off, we find Kirsty in a mental institution. A mental institution ran by a psychopath who's obsessed with the Cenobite puzzle box!!! Satan Christ, this chick can't catch a break! Stuff happens and next thing you know Kirsty, another girl from the hospital, the crazy doctor and Julia (from the first film) are all in Hell hanging out with Pinhead and pals. And let me tell you, Hell is one wacky place. It kinda feels like a Freddy Krueger dreamworld.
I don't know what the budget was (considering Part 1 only brought in $14m I can't imagine it wasn't too much), but whatever it was this story is ambitious and the film looks good visually. The hospital is creepy and Hell is pretty fucked up. A lot of people probably think the "Doctor" cenobite looked cheesy, but I thought he was kinda cool the way he flew around grimacing and talking shit while shooting eyeball-razor-snakes out of his hands. What a weirdo.
Not the greatest hellraiser that ever did hellraise, but it's an entertaining watch and it answers the question as to where that sample on Aborted's "Meticulous Invagination" came from. Recommended, even though I wish Pinhead had more screen time.
Part 1 - Hellraiser (1987)
Part 3 - Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
Part 4 - Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
Part 5 - Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
Part 6 - Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
Part 7 - Hellraiser: Deader (2005)
Part 8 - Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
Part 9 - Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)
Part 10 - Hellraiser: Judgement (2018)
Remake - Hellraiser (2022)
