Clive Barker's horror-fantasy story progresses well in "Hellraiser II". Despite handing over the screen writing to Peter Atkins and direction to some hack who went on to work with the Power Rangers, this tale of love, obsession and buckets of gore still bears the Barker stamp.
Production values rise in this sequel. A lot of the film is shot on set at Pinewood Studios, rather than the less glamorous Cricklewood locations of the original "Hellraiser". The special effects are wonderfully inventive and have clearly had more money thrown at them. Despite the odd bit of shaky scenery, "Hellraiser II" is a glossier and more muscular beast than its predecessor.
Pushed forward by a strong cast (featuring the wonderful Kenneth Cranham), the film is a creepy ghost-train ride which reveals more about the world of the Cenobites. Like the original film, "Hellraiser II" is as much about human emotion as it is about shocks and scares. It is a worthy successor to a horror classic.
Production values rise in this sequel. A lot of the film is shot on set at Pinewood Studios, rather than the less glamorous Cricklewood locations of the original "Hellraiser". The special effects are wonderfully inventive and have clearly had more money thrown at them. Despite the odd bit of shaky scenery, "Hellraiser II" is a glossier and more muscular beast than its predecessor.
Pushed forward by a strong cast (featuring the wonderful Kenneth Cranham), the film is a creepy ghost-train ride which reveals more about the world of the Cenobites. Like the original film, "Hellraiser II" is as much about human emotion as it is about shocks and scares. It is a worthy successor to a horror classic.