Hellraiser: Inferno, 2000 - DVD

After Hellraiser: Bloodline, I had pretty much given up hope on the Hellraiser franchise. I wasn't too impressed with the movie, though as I wrote in the review, you really can't take it as a sequel to the other films. It's one in and of itself.

In 2000, Scott Derrickson took the franchise back on a similar path to the first three films... but not entirely.

With the creation of the comic book, as I was watching this film, I noticed that it didn't have much to do with the Cenobites, but more to do with the desires of those searching for the puzzle box, and what it had to offer.

This was the basis for the comic book series, in my opinion... so what we have here is a kind of graphic novel (movie) based upon the world of the L'Merchant puzzle box and the world of Cenobites and of Hell. And Derrickson does an incredible job.

Having gone straight to video, this was Derrickson's first feature film. He recently wrote the script for Urban Legends: Final Cut, along with Ghosting, which he directed. He also wrote the story for Wim Wenders newest film (to come out in 2004), Angst and Alienation in America. Should be interesting... coming from the guy who has written two horror scripts.

Boardman and Derrickson seem to be a writing team. Both co-wrote Urban Legends and Ghosting. The two did an incredible job with the story on this film. I heard a lot of complaining from Hellraiser fans that Pinhead didn't make much of an appearance in this film, but I found I didn't mind so much. Not because I was sick and tired of Pinhead... on the contrary... but that the story was so engrossing, and the mystery behind the main character was so strong... I didn't seem to notice.

A few things I will say about the film that not so much put me off, but that I noticed as a strong feeling, was its similarity to Jacob's Ladder. There were some definite nods to this film, in regards to story, to character development and to style. Definitely a strong stylistic feeling between the two films.

One thing I was definitely surprised to find was that the film only had a $2 million dollar budget. In this regard alone, this film is simply incredible. The sets, the photography, the acting, the CG... I am more impressed now than I was when the film was finished.

I've enjoyed Craig Sheffer's acting since Nightbreed. I think he's a very talented actor, and its sad that he doesn't get more mainstream work, stronger roles. He starred in The Program, A River Runs Through It and Some Kind of Wonderful (I remember that!). In running through his credits, I was interested to find that he was an Executive Producer on Demolition Man. I wonder how that came about?

Nicholas Turturro is a pretty good actor. I think the one feature I've seen him in is Mac, which was written and directed by his brother John Turturro. His work on television is more mainstream. His work on NYPD Blue was for seven seasons. He's in the process of writing and producing his one television show called The Doorman. We'll see...

I was incredibly impressed with Nathan Hope's work as cinematographer. He does some impressive work in this film... specifically the lighting. There are some wonderfully shot scenes in this film... working seamlessly with the acting, the writing... half of the atmosphere is in the lighting. Very impressive. His latest work is going to be on Who's Your Daddy?, coming out in 2003.

For anyone who's a fan of this series, and who gave up after part 4... give this film a shot. I will be reviewing part 5 of the Hellraiser series soon, as well. Another good film... the writers and directors of these new Hellraiser films (with two new installments due out in 2004) seem to care a lot about the franchise, its characters and universe. A good horror film with some good scares, thrills, suspense and characters.