PUMPKINHEAD: ASHES TO ASHES is the third Pumpkinhead movie. It connects to the first film very well and follows it up very well. The film's strengths are its style, painted in such heavy colors and settings that you can smell the burning wood and night air, its rural feel, which is essential to the concept, and it's lack of stock characters.
Lance Henriksen returns as the ghost of Ed Harley. Having the monster appear in both human form (as a ghost) and in his monstrous form is a good new idea for the character, and gives the story added dimension and scariness, as well as giving the actors more to do. Doug Bradley (Doc Fraser) is great as a creepy, deceitful town doctor, who can smile and reassure the same people he preys upon. In fact, the film goes out of its way to avoid having the same old boring crew of victims. All of the characters in this movie are different and unexpected. Compare the human community of this film to any other in almost any horror film you've seen and you'll see that these are different and more interesting people.
At the center of the Pumpkinhead concept is vengeance, which is a primal, basic facet of the human condition. The idea of a monster driven by vengeance opens up a lot of story possibilities. In the first Pumpkinhead movie, Ed Harley summoned the demon of vengeance to avenge his murdered son, which is about as basic and archetypal as you can get. The vengeance in this movie is invoked in response to a more modern crime, based on the real Tri-City Crematorium incident which horrified the nation in 2002. This is a unique premise, indicative of the effort to make this movie something unique and special.
Pumpkinhead is at heart a rural legend. The broadly painted small town setting adds a lot of atmosphere to great effect, making this film a classic rural horror story.
The monster's design is also good, using newer technology, while staying true to the original look. It is taller, a little more detailed, and darker in color, but definitely Pumpkinhead.
Special mention also goes out to the always interesting Douglas Roberts (Bunt), and to Emannuel Parvu (Oliver), who turns in an interesting performance as the film's reluctant hero, being entirely ordinary in appearance and demeanor while at the same time radiating a quiet strength. Also to Ioana Ginghina (Ellie), a stunning beauty, and one of the most interesting new faces to come along in a long time.
Horror fans looking for a good Halloween thrill will not be disappointed!
Lance Henriksen returns as the ghost of Ed Harley. Having the monster appear in both human form (as a ghost) and in his monstrous form is a good new idea for the character, and gives the story added dimension and scariness, as well as giving the actors more to do. Doug Bradley (Doc Fraser) is great as a creepy, deceitful town doctor, who can smile and reassure the same people he preys upon. In fact, the film goes out of its way to avoid having the same old boring crew of victims. All of the characters in this movie are different and unexpected. Compare the human community of this film to any other in almost any horror film you've seen and you'll see that these are different and more interesting people.
At the center of the Pumpkinhead concept is vengeance, which is a primal, basic facet of the human condition. The idea of a monster driven by vengeance opens up a lot of story possibilities. In the first Pumpkinhead movie, Ed Harley summoned the demon of vengeance to avenge his murdered son, which is about as basic and archetypal as you can get. The vengeance in this movie is invoked in response to a more modern crime, based on the real Tri-City Crematorium incident which horrified the nation in 2002. This is a unique premise, indicative of the effort to make this movie something unique and special.
Pumpkinhead is at heart a rural legend. The broadly painted small town setting adds a lot of atmosphere to great effect, making this film a classic rural horror story.
The monster's design is also good, using newer technology, while staying true to the original look. It is taller, a little more detailed, and darker in color, but definitely Pumpkinhead.
Special mention also goes out to the always interesting Douglas Roberts (Bunt), and to Emannuel Parvu (Oliver), who turns in an interesting performance as the film's reluctant hero, being entirely ordinary in appearance and demeanor while at the same time radiating a quiet strength. Also to Ioana Ginghina (Ellie), a stunning beauty, and one of the most interesting new faces to come along in a long time.
Horror fans looking for a good Halloween thrill will not be disappointed!