The overall rating of a review is different from a simple average of all individual ratings.
Advantages:
originality to some extent , the way in which it creates such a morbid atmosphere - interesting and rememberable characters such as pinhead - not as shallow as many others of this ilk
Disadvantages:
a tad monotonous, plus the almost enigmatic characters can work for or against a film - oftens leaves you wanting more
Recommendable
Yes:
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to similar films?
SoundtrackAverage
How does it compare to others by the same director?Outstanding
For a slasher film, Clive Barker's Hellraiser was quite critically acclaimed to a certain extent when it first came out..possibly because it deviates from the regular slasher scenarios set by the likes of Voorhees and good old Fred Krueger - and focuses more on the atmospheric, sadistic and altogether worryingly deeper look on death and the macabre.
Plotwise..it centres around a small metal box - with unsuspecting victims promised the pleasures of hell - providing they manage to open it, which all too often they do - and unleash the almost tongue in cheek humour of pinhead (recognised by the pins in his head..obviously) and his fellow cenobites into their world - mind you, the film is extremely gory (easily more so than the jasons / halloweens) - one bit that sticks in my mind is how "frank" reforms from a drop of blood on the floorboards.
Everything that IS used, is used so that not to shift the emphasis off this dark and eerie atmosphere , and more onto non stop killing. Which may even dissapoint some people - hellraiser goes a lot deeper than this, and as such should be congratulated - but the only problem i had with it was the fact is relies so heavily on it's darkness it tends to drag on a bit. But it certainly had an effect - as it's three spawned sequels will testify.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Good special effects, althought the film does not depend upon these. An excellent story with strong well defined charaters. Disadvantages: May not appeal to all viewers, touches on sado masochism. Can be quite gory in parts
markdobson 05.09.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Hellraiser (DVD)
Advantages: Features Doug Bradley, some decent special effects, at least its short, Disadvantages: Widdles on the franchise, terribly directed, atrocious cast and acting, terrible plot, melodramati
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