Hellbound - Hellraiser 2 (Special Edition) (DVD)

In Hellraiser 2: Hellbound, Kirsty (Ashley Laurence), wakes in a mental hospital. Having told the police about the night before, (the grisly deaths of her father Larry and her evil stepmother Julia), she has been institutionalised for psychiatric evaluation.

In this sequel, Kirsty meets the obsessive Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham), who has an unhealthy interest in her story. It is later revealed that he thirsts to experience the pleasures ...
...at the institute, the first is a junior psychiatrist who believes in Kirsty, and sincerely wishes to help her. The second is Tiffany, (Imogen Boorman), a mute teenager who has a talent for solving puzzles.

Dr Channard eventually gets what he wants, only after resurrecting Kirsty's dead stepmother, Julia (Claire Higgins). Tiffany is used to open the portal to Hell, and they are allowed entry.

From here, the film takes ... more

In Hellraiser 2: Hellbound, Kirsty (Ashley Laurence), wakes in a mental hospital. Having told the police about the night before, (the grisly deaths of her father Larry and her evil stepmother Julia), she has been institutionalised for psychiatric evaluation.

In this sequel, Kirsty meets the obsessive Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham), who has an unhealthy interest in her story. It is later revealed that he thirsts to experience the pleasures that Hell can offer to him. Kirsty makes two friends at the institute, the first is a junior psychiatrist who believes in Kirsty, and sincerely wishes to help her. The second is Tiffany, (Imogen Boorman), a mute teenager who has a talent for solving puzzles.

Dr Channard eventually gets what he wants, only after resurrecting Kirsty's dead stepmother, Julia (Claire Higgins). Tiffany is used to open the portal to Hell, and they are allowed entry.

From here, the film takes a bit of a silly twist, as Hell appears as a giant maze-like labyrinth. Channard is double-crossed by Julia, and is transformed into a Cenobite. Meanwhile, Kirsty has received a bloody message from her dead father Larry. Together with Tiffany, they journey through the still open portal to Hell, seeking to save Kirsty's father's soul.

The film goes on to display scenes of carnage within the institute, and a battle between Cenobites. Kirsty also manages to reach inside Pinhead's mind, reminding him that he too was once human.

This installment of Hellraiser is quite good, but not as absorbing in its storyline as the original. The special effects appear out-of-date these days, but Pinhead and the other Cenobites look the business.

This being the 2 Disc Special Edition of the DVD, the following special features are included -

> Audio commentary with Tony Randel, Ashley Laurence and Peter Atkins.
> Second audio commentary with Tony Randel and Peter Atkins.
> Hellbound: Lost In The Labyrinth featurette.
> Under The Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser II.
> On-set interviews with Clive Barker, Tony Randel, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Imogen Boorman and Kenneth Crantham.
> Behind the scenes montage.
> Four theatrical trailers.
> Two TV spots.
> Stills gallery.
> Script DVD-ROM.

This DVD is available at play.com for a price of £6.99, (as of 08/05).

 

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