Hellbound: Hellraiser II

Pinhead and the dreaded Cenobites are back for more dastardly deeds in a rushed and unnecessary horror sequel. "Hellbound: Hellraiser 2" was apparently announced during post-production on the first "Hellraiser" film back in 1987. So in 1988, a mere year after the original, many of the same actors (but not the same crew) gathered together to make this gory follow-up film.

"Hellbound: Hellraiser 2" received scathing reviews upon its theatrical release but it didn't stop fans of the first film from going to see it in droves. Critics called it pointless but the first sequel started a trend that would last eight more films in the "Hellraiser" franchise.

Taking its cues from 1981's "Halloween II," "Hellraiser" Part 2 picks up right where its far superior predecessor left off. Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) has been hospitalized in an asylum after surviving an encounter with the creatures from hell, also known as Pinhead (Doug Bradley) and his gang of Cenobites. She comes into contact with a demented surgeon, one who's hell-bent on unearthing Pinhead again.

With the aid of a young, mute female child, Kirsty literally goes to hell and comes into contact with Uncle Frank (Sean Chapman) and Julia (Clare Higgins), the sinister characters from the first film. Otherwise, "Hellbound" is basically a series of gory sequences with a flimsy storyline. It also tries to hint at an origin story for Pinhead but it's sadly underdeveloped.

A slew of bonus materials will be good news for fans and those include both new and vintage extras:

"Leviathan: The Story of Hellbound: Hellraiser II" – a new and extensive documentary on the making-of this sequel

"Being Frank" – an interview with actor Sean Chapman, who's not too kind on describing his opinion on "Hellraiser II"

"Under the Skin" – Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley, talks about the differences between the sequel and the original "Hellraiser"

"Surgeon Scene" – this infamous deleted scene, once thought lost forever, debuts here on Blu-ray for the first time in a mostly uncut format

"Hellraiser: Judgment"
Blu-ray
$29.99
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