Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

I'll tell you why so serious

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Hellraiser: Inferno marks the first juncture in the franchise where ideas deviated beyond the formula set in place by the first borderline surreal, masochist piece.Gone is the dreamy, sordid aesthetic used back then, the Cenobites who were front and centre are reduced to limited appearances and the story is less otherworldly and something decidedly more noirish and down to earth. Whether that's accepted by franchise die-hards and horror hounds alike is subjective, but I didn't mind it's slow burn approach or sidewinding tone. Craig Sheffer, the closest thing you'll get to Josh Brolin without breaking the bank, plays a crooked Detective who finds himself dragged down a rabbit hole of creepy, murderous goings-on when he's assigned to hunt a serial killer known as 'The Engineer'. Of course the murders always seem one step ahead of his grasp, and naturally dark secrets from his sketchy past are brought to light as he gradually begins to lose his mind. Doug Bradley does eventually return as the iconic Pinhead, with a few members of the Cenobite posse, but their presence is kept mostly on the back burner for quite a while. Taking antagonist duties for a while instead is Sheffer's eerie psychiatrist, played with sinister charm and knowing charisma by James Remar, a dubious fellow with a few tricks up his own sleeve. This is the one entry that sticks out from the franchise in it's diversion from the usual path of distinct, abstract psychosexual horror and mutes the whole icy nightmare down to rebuild a story in it's own image. You'll either appreciate the initiative, or you'll miss the good ol' freakshow of the original film. Up to you.

Though I haven't seen number four, about the only HR that wasn't an R, this is a refreshing Hellraiser, but not for better. Shady cop (Sheffer- who's really good) finds his life falling apart, after taking something from a grisly murder scene? Guess what? He's experiencing a lot of delusions or are some real? His colleague (Turturro- a straight shooter for once) becomes really concerned, as so does Sheffer's family. I found this Firth HR exciting and bloody, but a lot of puff, where a lot of the story isn't explained, where we're the ones who have to piece the puzzle. Those demons in Sheffer's delusions, I thought were stupid, where a lot of stuff in this one doesn't make sense. But it's Sheffer who coolly steers this bad HR. James Remar was fantastic as a shrink, who could be Sheffer's one salvation, while Nicholas Sadler, an actor who's not used enough, was very good as a coke head, slumming it out in an ice cream van. This one has a few nasty themes, but is still is an exciting watch, where Sheffer really does hos role justice, and makes the film watchable. It was a relief to see Pinhead, in his most minor of HR screen time. May'be he too is ashamed of this HR. You will be short changed with this Hellraiser, mostly cause of it's very hazy told story, and it's stupidity versus corniness It feels less a Hellraiser, than all of them, esp, too when you consider Pinhead's almost, non pivotal role.

Hellraiser: Inferno is just what this series and the Horror genre in general need a double helping of style and substance.Scott Derrickson, the director of "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and the remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" had to get his full-length horror/sci fi film genre chops somewhere. He did that by directing and co-writing "Hellraiser: Inferno," the fifth film in the "Hellraiser" series. Not only is this film on par with Clive Barker's original nightmare, it shamefully went straight to video.Craig Sheffer is outstanding as Joseph Thorne, our anti-hero. He is a Denver detective with a knack for solving complicated puzzles and cases. He also has a knack for snorting cocaine, stealing crime scene evidence, and visiting prostitutes. He ignores his wife and young daughter, wrapping himself up in every case. His partner, Tony (Nicholas Turturro), is more grounded, with a wife and two kids of his own. In the beginning of the film, the pair investigate the brutal murder of an acquaintance from Joseph's high school years. The man was literally torn apart, and also found at the scene was the finger of an unidentified child, and a strange wooden puzzle box. Joseph takes the box, later picks up a hooker, and after another night of debauchery, solves the puzzle box in a seedy motel while the hooker sleeps.Derrickson has crafted an ugly looking film along the lines of "Seven." He crosses the taboo line in that children are victims of this world (and the afterlife). He also rivets the viewer, as the case's turns become more and more unexpected. Derrickson co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Harris Boardman, and they come up with both a clever police procedural as well as a spooky demonic film.Joseph's voice-over narration is as necessary as Harrison Ford's in "Blade Runner," "Hellraiser: Inferno" is by far the strongest entry in the series, full of horror and interesting ideas, as well as some excellent performances and suspenseful plotting. Good stuff all around.Pinhead: It's all a puzzle, isn't it, Joseph? Like a game of chess, perhaps. The pieces move, apparently aimlessly, but always towards one single objective: to kill the king. But who is the king in this game, Joseph? That is the question you must ask yourself.

This seemed like a cheap "Silent Hill" movie than a actual "Hellraiser" sequel. It's probably the most psychedelic entry compared to the previous 4, but it lacked the "Hellraiser" elements. It's like this was suppose to be a grisly investigation movie with hallucinations with Pinhead thrown in sometimes. Maybe a alternate storyline than a companion piece with Pinhead in it. The story is about a unfaithful husband who is a cop trying to find a missing kid and murders that is taking place by some sort of faceless man. This might be a alright psychological psychedelic thriller, but doesn't really seem like a "Hellraiser" movie is all. Some say this one and "Hellseeker" makes a good connection with the 4th installment, but I don't know about that. This is more of a psychological horror thriller than a horror slasher, even if the psychological aspect aren't that in depth. I am not sure if this plot takes place, before "Hellraiser: Bloodline" but if it does, there is less fear here in my opinion. Overall this would have probably worked if it focused more on being a "Silent Hill" movie.5.6/10