7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
Evil Julia helps her lover, Frank, come back to the mortal world from hell. Because Frank has used the Lament Configuration box to taste pleasures outside the normal realm of human sensation, freeing him from hell unleashes Pinhead and a menagerie of demons (cenobites) back unto earth.
Starring: Doug Bradley, Andrew Robinson (I), Clare Higgins (I), Ashley Laurence, Sean ChapmanHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 31% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
This isn't for your eyes.
Talk about hardcore. Hellraiser is a simple tale that is devoured by its intensely graphic
and
often disturbing visuals. Certainly not a film for the timid, or even the casual Horror fan that
enjoys
tamer, more "audience-friendly" films like 1408 or The Eye,
Hellraiser is an unapologetic, nose-to-the-grindstone picture that features it all in
excruciating detail -- body parts strewn about; scary, grotesque creatures; and torture devices
used to
revolting and skin-tearing effect. Released at a time when the hack-and-slash Horror craze was
in
full swing, Hellraiser takes a radically different approach, guiding audiences down a path
of
unspeakable terror where pain and pleasure become one, where terror knows no bounds, and
where the macabre becomes an art form.
What nails?
Starz summons Hellraiser onto Blu-ray with a rather good 1080p transfer framed inside a 1.85:1 window. This is a transfer that isn't sparkly and crisp, but it captures the film's intended look nicely. Detail is appreciably high; the many dreary, unkempt locales, from messy, bug-infested kitchens and dusty attics to the finer details of a particularly nasty creature that roams the corridor that leads to another dimension, this disc reveals about all the detail there is to be seen. The transfer features a continuous and rather heavy layer of grain. Black levels are also strong, and there are many dark corners and backgrounds throughout the film, each of which generally offer deep, inky blacks, usually covered with a bit of grain, that adds to the dark, desperate, and fearful themes of the film. Perhaps most importantly, viewers will see the grisly and horrific gore in all its detail on this Blu-ray disc; there is plenty to be seen, more than most any other movie available on the format. The reds of blood and puddles of fluids, flesh, and other bodily matter seen throughout will please gore fans and churn the stomachs of those that are unprepared for what awaits in this Blu-ray release of Hallraiser.
Hellraiser debuts on Blu-ray with a quality Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The audio is occasionally somewhat bland and uninteresting. Dialogue sequences sound slightly detached and lacking in volume but not clarity. The music heard throughout the movie is pleasantly strong; it's fairly clear, and oftentimes finds itself pouring out of the rear channels in addition to the front. Hellraiser offers a fairly active 360-degree sound field. Chapter four features both bass and the score taking on a louder, more aggressive tone as Frank's bloody shell rises from the floorboards. The track enjoys many good directional effects, a brief scene of a train speeding across the soundstage from left to right and a subsequent fluttering of birds heard from every corner of the listening area makes for some of the more aggressive surround moments of the presentation. The film's finale also offers a robust and hard-hitting sound presentation. Hellraiser makes for a surprisingly engaging listen on Blu-ray.
Starz presents Hellraiser on Blu-ray with a fair selection of bonus materials. First up is a
commentary track with Writer/Director Clive Barker and Actress Ashley Laurence, moderated by
Screenwriter Peter Atkins. This track is several years old and recycled from previous releases, but
it's nevertheless a good and worthwhile listen. Barker is interesting and engaging, reminiscing on
the making of the film and offering insights into his feelings towards it, both from then and now.
They discuss the intensity of the gore, the importance of delivering the goods early in the film,
the
traits of the characters and the performances of the actors, and more. This is a well-above-
average
track that is a worthwhile listen. Fast Film Facts is a pop-up trivia track, the tidbits often
reflecting thoughts expressed in the commentary track, making this an ideal feature to watch in
conjunction with the commentary. Also included are three 480p trailers -- an R-rated U.S. trailer
(1:29), a G-rated U.S. trailer (1:34), and an international trailer (3:28) -- and four 480p TV
spots.
Next are five featurettes. Mr. Cotton, I Presume? -- An Interview With Star Andrew
Robinson (480p, 16:13) features the star reminiscing on his career, Hellraiser, and
the
character he portrayed, looking at what makes for an effective portrayal of a villain. Actress
From Hell -- An Interview With Star Ashley Laurence (480p, 11:58) is a charming piece as
the actress recounts her Hellraiser experience, beginning with her earning of the role and
reaction to the caliber of the script and moving through to the quality of the final picture.
Hellcomposer -- An Interview With Composer Christopher Young (480p, 18:19) is a piece
where the composer looks back on his influences pre-Hellraiser and moving on to look at
his work for the film and respect for Clive Barker. Hellraiser: Resurrection (480p, 24:25)
primarily features an interesting and extended look at the film's many special effects with
interviews with plenty of cast and crew and concluding with an examination of the film's staying
power. Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on 'Hellraiser' (480p, 12:32) showcases the actor
sharing his thoughts on the famed Horror icon, Pinhead, and the film itself. Concluding this set of
extras is BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality and four still galleries -- Behind the
Scenes, Make-up & SFX Photos, Promotional Material, and
Storyboards.
Hellraiser is often vile, repulsive, and disgusting, a banner film for gore even for the Horror-crazed 1980s. As such, it is something of a cult film; it never enjoyed the mainstream success of some of the decades more well-known franchises, but it's not for lack of a decent story or disturbing visuals. Perhaps Hellraiser was just too much for general audiences, but among Horror afficonados, the film remains a popular and perhaps even quintessential film because of its relentless, grotesque, and unapologetic visuals that transcend simple gore and veer towards a macabre form of cinematic art. Starz presents Hellraiser on Blu-ray as a package fans should be excited about. The film has never looked or sounded better for home viewing, and the studio has included several good extra features. Hellraiser isn't a film for the timid, but fans should rest assured that this Blu-ray release does the film justice. Recommended for Horror aficionados and viewers with a strong stomach.
Lament Configuration Box Set
1987
Midnight Madness Series
1987
Limited Edition
1987
1987
Remastered
1987
1987
4K Restoration
1987
Unrated Director's Cut
2006
1988
1992
1981
2018
1981
Limited Edition
1980
2014
2013
2016
2012
Unrated Theatrical and Rated Versions
2013
1982
Collector's Edition
1978
2019
2015
30th Anniversary Edition | Includes "Terror in the Aisles"
1981
Uncut
2013
Collector's Edition
1982
2019