... should a horror movie appropriately released just ahead of All Hallows Eve (Halloween) be just a horror movie -- or should it be a test of the auteur's ability to recreate the original? The original, of course, being HELLRAISER 1987, which this reviewer had the pleasure of seeing in theatrical release. Along with all the progressively worse sequels that followed. The solution to the debate, perhaps, is to see things from the perspective of the auteur David Bruckner. Bruckner is also the creator behind the totally brilliant NIGHT HOUSE 2020, which clearly shows us that he can do "subtle" if he really wants to. Yet to re-imagine HELLRAISER (and yes, this is more of a reboot than a sequel), David was clearly constrained to follow the well-worn arc of the original story -- which is, a clearly damaged "seeker" ends up in possession of a "puzzle" which may or may not hold answers to every single problem their sad lives have brought them ...? Unfortunately, by accidentally opening the Gates of Hell and releasing the Cenobites, the seeker invariably learns -- the hard way! -- that some puzzles are simply not worth solving. Overall, Bruckner does an above-average job of both following the original formula while trying at the same time to keep it fresh. There are new twists and turns -- some work, some don't. Ultimately, diehard fans will not be displeased, and younger fans will not be bored. What more could you ask for just in time for Halloween?
Review of Hellraiser
