Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

Horrible Sequel to a great series

When released Hellraiser: Bloodline was the worst sequel in the series and one of the worst horror seqels to date. From watching the film one can tell about the studio cuts etc. Kevin Yager's cut wass supposed to be good and goes more into depth about Pinhead's story. Avoid this one at all costs. September 14, 2008

Pretty good Movie

If your a fan of the Hellraier series like me, then you need to watch this film. I like the fact that they go back WAY before the first film and explain the orgin of the box. June 28, 2008

bloodline

Simply put, best in the series. Best air, setting, tale and artistry. Anything that gives me Pinhead AND intelligence sublimely fused with a dark goth mood can't be bad. October 28, 2007

May have been great before editing.

Hellraiser: Bloodline (Alan Smithee, 1996)

Somehow, despite the fact that I have seen every other film in the Hellraiser franchise, no matter how awful (and the two most recent are movies that try their best to redefine that term in the language of the critic), I somehow managed to miss seeing Bloodline until last week. Eleven years after its release, it is likely best remembered for being disowned by its director (Kevin Yagher, a wonderful make-up artist whose work has recently been seen in the TV show Bones) and released under the Alan Smithee moniker used for films that have suffered such a fate. And now that I have seen it, I understand why Yagher would have had his name taken off this. Bloodline is a terrible, terrible movie, but it is a terrible movie that, in its original state, was probably a very good one.

This installment of the Hellraiser series interweaves three storylines set in different times, with three protagonists from the Merchant family, all played by Bruce Ramsay (Killing Zoe). Set against the various Merchants is Angelique (Valentina Vargas of The Name of the Rose), a princess of Hell called forth when the first Merchant's patron uses the infamous Chinese puzzle box (designed by said Merchant) for the first time. The first story details the creation of the box. The second, which takes place not long after the end of Hellraiser 3, in the building we see at the end of that movie. The architect, Merchant's great-great-ish grandson, must battle Pinhead for the lives and souls of his wife and son. The third story, which takes place in the future, has the third Merchant on a space vessel, trying to create the design the first Merchant created centuries ago that will undo the damage the box has done.

It all sounds rather Corinthian in its design, and it is, but to be fair, it all plays out pretty well; there's no sense of overcomplication in the actual movie. The problem is, what we got seems to be an outline of the original; it's well-known that the studios slashed a great deal out of it (how much only Yagher knows, and he isn't telling yet), focusing on the action and the gore instead of the characters, who might well be interesting if given a chance. Not that the acting is all that hot; Ramsay wanders around looking kind of clueless most of the time, while Vargas doesn't have much to do but vamp around and look good. (I must say, though, she is quite good at doing so.) Note, however, that one of the new cenobites (the twins) is played by Michael and Mark Polish, the guys behind the twisted and wonderful Twin Falls Idaho. They are the exception to the rule here; they're playing dunderheads, and they play the roles very well.

I really have to reserve judgment on this one until I've seen a director's cut, which I'm hoping will be released when the Hellraiser remake shows up in 2008. Until then, I'm inclinced to give it not as terrible a rating as I normally would, since what we got and what the director seemed to have in mind are such entirely different beasts. Blame the awfulness of this movie solely on the Weinsteins, and give Yagher another chance. **
September 17, 2007

Where are you toymaker!

I love the Hellraiser series up to and including Bloodlines. The plots are original and make you think. The villians lead by pinhead are good. Demon with nails in his head is quite original. Pinhead is looking to close the doorway to hell so he can roam free on earth and create darkness, pleasure/pain and crush the puzzle box. The only one who can stio him is the Merchant family. His bloodline built the box. The movie takes place in a few centuries and ends up in the future where Dr. Merchant and Pinhead battle it out on a spaceship. You got to love the one liners by Pinead in all the movies. In this one....Dr, Merchant tricks Pinhead into thinking he's on the ship when in fact he is on a shuttle craft to take him back to earth. Dr. Merchant pushes a button and the space station turns into the puzzle box and uses the system of lights to destroy Pinhead.

One-Liner: "Welcome to Oblivion Demon," Pinead replies after he's thrown against the wall and loosing his flesh," Amen!" July 12, 2007

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