Hellraiser: H ellseeker review

08-31-2002, 10:24 PM

Ok, just got through watching this film. To say the least it was disappointing.

The film, in spite of what you may have heard, does NOT pit Kirstie against the cenobites again. And so any interesting ideas that arose from the plot summeries that are out there are gone. An interesting way to get fans' hopes up, I'll give Diemtnion that. But the film doesn't deliver at all and indeed the finale comes off as tired, overused and simply that wich all direct to video fodder is made. This is the sixth instalment and one shouldn't really expect anything new, but with the falsified summeries and flat-out lies Dimention uses to get people to spend money on their product one can not help but think "boycott" or even "class action law suit."

Indeed Kirstie is back, but in a relatively minor role that is never truely fleshed out. The film is actually about her husband and his attempt to recover from amnesia induced by a car accident. Or so it would immediatly seem.

The opening sequence is quite unoriginal, one is immedialy reminded of Carnival of Souls. With Inferno having been a major disappointment (to say the very least) and clearly the work of someone without an ounce of original thought, I went in to Hellseeker with high hopes. Sadly, they were immedialy bashed in as I realized that this perhaps was going to be yet another sad outting in this failing franchise written by someone (or in this case two someones) who were going to "borrow" heavily from other, better films to weave it loosely into the Hellraiser mythos. As was the case with Inferno, one can not help but instantly recognize the "borrowed" bits. Let's see.... there's a dash of Jacob's Ladder, a smidge of Basic Instinct, a heaping teaspoon of Carnival of Souls and even, as shocking as it may sound, a toss of Body of Evidence. All this whipped with a little Hellraiser just to cash in on the name.

As with Inferno, the bulk of the story seems more like a bad cop or serial killer investigation flick then anything else. What, no court room scene? A considerable amount of time is spent in a police station with the lead characters engaged in some of the most pathetic interrogation dialogue ever written. Not once, but several times is the lead character called down to the station for nothing more then one or two completely irrelavent questions. The rest of the time we are given the same information over and over and over again. Clearly, they needed time filler. As with any of the Dimention direct-to-video sequels nothing really happens until the final act, the rest is pathetic, lackadazical set-up with nary an original thought, idea or even a shred of inspiration.

We are treated to some truely illogical, and badly orchastrated time jumping, a poorly conceived metaphorical bus ride motiff and the typical dark stranger following ever so close but just far back in an attempt at suspense and fear. Sure, Pinhead gets more screen time then in Inferno... but not much more and his dialogue here is the most pathetic of the entire series. This crud makes his mindless mummbles in Inferno seem like first-class A-List material.

The look of hte film is very similar to other Dimention DTV sequels... namely Mimic 2 and Children of the Corn: Revelations. The set is composed of dull greens, bland tans and washed out colors that apparently are supposed to pass for class. Indeed the apartment building looks just like the one used in COTC: Revelations. It's run down haze and narrow color palate are deadening, boring and listless. It's all strickly by the numbers here from the script to the production design. In fact it's even less then that. Sure, it's better then Inferno... but The Howling: New Moon Rising was better then Inferno. Hell, even the daytime soap Passions is better then Inferno.

I am absolutly heartbroken by Inferno and Hellseeker. And the news of further instalments in the series is nothing more then tragic. Whoever made the assinine decision to sell the rights to Hellraiser to Dimention should go down as the worst businessmen in Hollwood right next to the guys who funded Showgirls or Howard the Duck. And Dimention... I for one am no longer going to support your cash cows. You've burned this horror fan too many times!

Hellbilly · 08-31-2002, 10:32 PM

Sad times. Dimension/Disney should stop this direct-to-video sequel crap.

08-31-2002, 10:52 PM

Damn. I was looking forward to this too. It sounded pretty good (definately sounded better than Inferno) in the Fangoria preview. BTW anyone see $la$her$ in that Fangoria? It looked good also. I hope that one turns out alright cause it seems intersting (kind of like Running Man but with willing contestants).

Later all...

rhett · 08-31-2002, 11:32 PM

At least Dimension is doing a good job with the Halloween films...

Suicide · 08-31-2002, 11:33 PM

I gotta say I kinda saw this one coming, but I didn't really have any hope for it. I'll still rent it when it comes out though. Or maybe I'll buy a barebones copy of the dvd for the $32 retail price.

08-31-2002, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David666
Ok, just got through watching this film. To say the least it was disappointing.

<snip>
With Inferno having been a major disappointment (to say the very least) and clearly the work of someone without an ounce of original thought
<snip>

What? As opposed to say the tired formulaic Hellraiser films everyone here weems to favour - solve puzzle, cenobites come, fight/outwit them, and send them back? Maybe people should start review of hellraiser films like "I really like 1, 2, & 3, and I was hoping the new one would follow the same formula, but have MORE cenobites, MORE blood, MORE guts, MORE PINHEAD, and MORE KIRSTIE". Yes, sounds fantastic... And you call Inferno the work of someone without an ounce of original thought?

09-01-2002, 01:05 AM

I thought HELRAISER INFERNO was a great entry in the series, and if HELLSEEKER can manage to be as good, I'll like it. I'll be cautious and rent it before buying though.

JW77 · 09-01-2002, 04:01 AM

Wasn't one of the Hellraiser sequels (5 or 6) supposed to be Cenobites vs. Angels (as in wings, harps, and haloes)?

Now THAT sounds like it could've been very cool. I'd love to see what the angels in the Barker/Hellraiser universe look like. At least it would be something different that expanded the mythology a bit.

KillerCannabis · 09-01-2002, 04:38 AM

This sucks. I really was looking forward to Hellseeker. I heard even Barker himself enjoyed the flick. I'll still buy it when it comes out though, since I want to see it and keep my Hellraiser collection complete.

09-01-2002, 08:41 AM

I don't unnderstand... It's not like the she's some great, transcendent actress returning to the role that made her a star. I mean, she was adequate in the role of "straight, lead girl in a low-budget horror flick" and all, but of any cast members from the original who could have turned up in part 7, Kirstie is the least of the acors or characters I'd be excited/ interested to see return (small roles & bit players aside). And it's a stretch bringing her back in the first place...
Anyway, still haven't seen it, but I can't imagine it's worse than part 3.

09-01-2002, 05:31 PM

Napalm,

I really don't think you can honestly say that Hellraiser wasn't original. It wouldn't make any sense if you did.

09-01-2002, 11:40 PM

He's talking about the sequels.

09-01-2002, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhett
At least Dimension is doing a good job with the Halloween films...

You must be joking about that, right?

Regarding HELLRAISER, I was highly impressed with INFERNO, it was a different turn for the series and a well put together little mystery. It's sometime sjust hard for some people to accept something that takes a differnet turn (as in HALLOWEEN III for example). For the record Clive BArker loved HELLSEEKER describing it as the first time since the original that the makers 'got it' and has asked for Rick Bota to direct the next one DEADER, which has had very postitve reviews on the story.

This is after all just one review presented on this thread, and I've read plently to the contrary.

09-01-2002, 11:55 PM

y'know, looking at it HELLRAISER is the least repetitive horror franchise series ever. Complaing that they don't have any originality in the sequels is rediculous, especially when compared to the HALLOWEENs which apart from 3, never did anything any different, not even slightly.

HELLRASIERS:
1: haunted House
2: Trip To Hell
3: 'Demons' loose on earth
4: Anthology/origin/sequel/end
5: Perosnal Hell

no two have done the same thing...

09-03-2002, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AndrewBBD
He's talking about the sequels.

Re-read his reply, he does indeed mention part one as being unoriginal. If it wasn't what he intended to state then he should edit his post because that is how it came across.

I am fully aware that it is rumored that Clive liked Hellseeker... but until I read that as a quote from him on his web site I will not belive it.

08-31-2002, 10:24 PM	#1
David666 Guest Posts: n/a	Hellraiser: H ellseeker review Ok, just got through watching this film. To say the least it was disappointing. The film, in spite of what you may have heard, does NOT pit Kirstie against the cenobites again. And so any interesting ideas that arose from the plot summeries that are out there are gone. An interesting way to get fans' hopes up, I'll give Diemtnion that. But the film doesn't deliver at all and indeed the finale comes off as tired, overused and simply that wich all direct to video fodder is made. This is the sixth instalment and one shouldn't really expect anything new, but with the falsified summeries and flat-out lies Dimention uses to get people to spend money on their product one can not help but think "boycott" or even "class action law suit." Indeed Kirstie is back, but in a relatively minor role that is never truely fleshed out. The film is actually about her husband and his attempt to recover from amnesia induced by a car accident. Or so it would immediatly seem. The opening sequence is quite unoriginal, one is immedialy reminded of Carnival of Souls. With Inferno having been a major disappointment (to say the very least) and clearly the work of someone without an ounce of original thought, I went in to Hellseeker with high hopes. Sadly, they were immedialy bashed in as I realized that this perhaps was going to be yet another sad outting in this failing franchise written by someone (or in this case two someones) who were going to "borrow" heavily from other, better films to weave it loosely into the Hellraiser mythos. As was the case with Inferno, one can not help but instantly recognize the "borrowed" bits. Let's see.... there's a dash of Jacob's Ladder, a smidge of Basic Instinct, a heaping teaspoon of Carnival of Souls and even, as shocking as it may sound, a toss of Body of Evidence. All this whipped with a little Hellraiser just to cash in on the name. As with Inferno, the bulk of the story seems more like a bad cop or serial killer investigation flick then anything else. What, no court room scene? A considerable amount of time is spent in a police station with the lead characters engaged in some of the most pathetic interrogation dialogue ever written. Not once, but several times is the lead character called down to the station for nothing more then one or two completely irrelavent questions. The rest of the time we are given the same information over and over and over again. Clearly, they needed time filler. As with any of the Dimention direct-to-video sequels nothing really happens until the final act, the rest is pathetic, lackadazical set-up with nary an original thought, idea or even a shred of inspiration. We are treated to some truely illogical, and badly orchastrated time jumping, a poorly conceived metaphorical bus ride motiff and the typical dark stranger following ever so close but just far back in an attempt at suspense and fear. Sure, Pinhead gets more screen time then in Inferno... but not much more and his dialogue here is the most pathetic of the entire series. This crud makes his mindless mummbles in Inferno seem like first-class A-List material. The look of hte film is very similar to other Dimention DTV sequels... namely Mimic 2 and Children of the Corn: Revelations. The set is composed of dull greens, bland tans and washed out colors that apparently are supposed to pass for class. Indeed the apartment building looks just like the one used in COTC: Revelations. It's run down haze and narrow color palate are deadening, boring and listless. It's all strickly by the numbers here from the script to the production design. In fact it's even less then that. Sure, it's better then Inferno... but The Howling: New Moon Rising was better then Inferno. Hell, even the daytime soap Passions is better then Inferno. I am absolutly heartbroken by Inferno and Hellseeker. And the news of further instalments in the series is nothing more then tragic. Whoever made the assinine decision to sell the rights to Hellraiser to Dimention should go down as the worst businessmen in Hollwood right next to the guys who funded Showgirls or Howard the Duck. And Dimention... I for one am no longer going to support your cash cows. You've burned this horror fan too many times!

08-31-2002, 10:32 PM	#2
Hellbilly Water-squirting greatness Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Franconia Posts: 13,677	Sad times. Dimension/Disney should stop this direct-to-video sequel crap. __________________ "Common sense turns me on"

08-31-2002, 11:32 PM	#4
rhett Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 8,882	At least Dimension is doing a good job with the Halloween films... __________________ "It's a good scream...it's a good scream..."

08-31-2002, 11:33 PM	#5
Suicide Space Bastard! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Holly Springs, NC Posts: 2,556	I gotta say I kinda saw this one coming, but I didn't really have any hope for it. I'll still rent it when it comes out though. Or maybe I'll buy a barebones copy of the dvd for the $32 retail price. __________________ My DVDAficionado THE MANCHESTER MORGUE - Horror & Exploitation News & Reviews Space Bastard! - From the creators of The Manchester Morgue! Sites I have no affiliation with, but highly recommend: Hysteria Lives! . Bleeding Skull . Last edited by Suicide; 08-31-2002 at 11:37 PM.

09-01-2002, 04:01 AM	#8
JW77 Support Halliburton Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Korova Milk Bar Posts: 2,369	Wasn't one of the Hellraiser sequels (5 or 6) supposed to be Cenobites vs. Angels (as in wings, harps, and haloes)? Now THAT sounds like it could've been very cool. I'd love to see what the angels in the Barker/Hellraiser universe look like. At least it would be something different that expanded the mythology a bit. __________________ "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others." -- Harry J. Anslinger, first commissioner of the United States Bureau of Narcotics

08-31-2002, 10:52 PM	#3
2D4EVER Guest Posts: n/a	Damn. I was looking forward to this too. It sounded pretty good (definately sounded better than Inferno) in the Fangoria preview. BTW anyone see $la$her$ in that Fangoria? It looked good also. I hope that one turns out alright cause it seems intersting (kind of like Running Man but with willing contestants). Later all...

09-01-2002, 01:05 AM	#7
Cujo108 Guest Posts: n/a	I thought HELRAISER INFERNO was a great entry in the series, and if HELLSEEKER can manage to be as good, I'll like it. I'll be cautious and rent it before buying though.

09-01-2002, 04:38 AM	#9
KillerCannabis Slow, Deep & Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 5,606	This sucks. I really was looking forward to Hellseeker. I heard even Barker himself enjoyed the flick. I'll still buy it when it comes out though, since I want to see it and keep my Hellraiser collection complete.

09-01-2002, 08:41 AM	#10
Werner Von Wallenrod Guest Posts: n/a	I don't unnderstand... It's not like the she's some great, transcendent actress returning to the role that made her a star. I mean, she was adequate in the role of "straight, lead girl in a low-budget horror flick" and all, but of any cast members from the original who could have turned up in part 7, Kirstie is the least of the acors or characters I'd be excited/ interested to see return (small roles & bit players aside). And it's a stretch bringing her back in the first place... Anyway, still haven't seen it, but I can't imagine it's worse than part 3.

09-01-2002, 05:31 PM	#11
David666 Guest Posts: n/a	Napalm, I really don't think you can honestly say that Hellraiser wasn't original. It wouldn't make any sense if you did.

09-01-2002, 11:40 PM	#12
Andrew Guest Posts: n/a	He's talking about the sequels.

09-01-2002, 11:55 PM	#14
Fart Lighter Guest Posts: n/a	y'know, looking at it HELLRAISER is the least repetitive horror franchise series ever. Complaing that they don't have any originality in the sequels is rediculous, especially when compared to the HALLOWEENs which apart from 3, never did anything any different, not even slightly. HELLRASIERS: 1: haunted House 2: Trip To Hell 3: 'Demons' loose on earth 4: Anthology/origin/sequel/end 5: Perosnal Hell no two have done the same thing...

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