Synopsis
Two years after one of their number has committed suicide, a group of friends are still very much into playing Hellworld, an internet game based on the Hellraiser mythology. They score invitations to the big Hellworld party, where they meet host Lance Henriksen, and then they start being killed off one by one.
This is yet another script that originally had nothing to do with the Hellraiser series, and the connection is even more tangential than ever. Pinhead’s involvement is minima…, and the contortions gone through to involve him are not convincing. Nor, frankly, is anything else. This is a shame, given that the original script is by Joel Soisson, who has done such a stellar job as writer/director in reviving the Prophecy franchise. This, however, is merely more evidence that Clive Barker’s magnificent creation is in its final death throes.
Audio
The audio, at least, sounds pretty handsome. The music benefits from a very strong mix, and the environmental effects are solid, with some excellent placement. There is no distortion on the dialogue, though Pinhead’s usual echoing sonorities are absent. Good stuff generally, however.
Video
The colours are very nice, as are the blacks, so atmosphere isn’t lacking here. The image is nicely sharp, too. The grain, however, is a real problem, especially in the dark scenes, where it becomes quite bad and interferes with the viewing enjoyment.
Special Features
The commentary (by director Rick Bota, Soisson, make-up guy Gary J. Tunnicliffe and exec-producer Nick Phillips) is engaging and honest about the movie’s origins. One wishes the track was accompanying a better film. The making-of featurette is the usual sort of promotional material. There are also a few trailers. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
Okay. Stop now. The series is dead. Let’s avoid further embarrassment.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
- Making-of Featurette
- Trailers
