Nemoide wrote:DeadPark wrote:Just now i watched the original Hellraiser movie for the first time, and i'm a bit confused.
None of the Cenobites, Pinhead included, actually DID anything. they mentioned having done horrible things, and threatened going to do horrible things. but in the course of the movie, none of them did anything other than standing there looking scary.
Do they do more in the sequels that made Pinhead the horror icon he is? or is it just because of how unique he looks that everyone remembers him?
I've only seen the first sequel but the others do not have a shining reputation. I think Pinhead is an icon just because of his unique look. But yeah, my reaction upon first seeing it was a lot like yours.
I think it's still a really interesting movie though, partly because it is so different from other horror movies. It presents these terrifying-looking supernatural beings but the real evils in the movie stem from the desires of regular humans. I think the horror of desire is the overall theme of the movie and that's something that I like when filmmakers explore. The things that are horrifying are tied to things that are pleasurable. I don't have a thing for BDSM but that imagery with the Cenobites does the movie a service as it creates a parallel with other forms of forbidden-desire.
This ^^^^
Also, while contemporary horror films were set in suburban scenarios (Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street), Hellraiser switched to a more upscale setting and scenario. Imagine the kind of perversions and pleasures offered by the box. Not just any Joe or Jo Schmo would seek it out. Only those with the kind of wealth to indulge, and eventually become burnt out, on more exotic and opulent pleasures would have such need for its promises. The difference between Halloween and Hellraiser is more or less the same as the difference between Degrassi and Gossip Girl, with the former being more relatable while the latter showcases a darker side on the lives of the greener-grass side.
Speaking of Hellraiser and Gossip Girl, if anyone's seen both you'd agree with me that it's a good thing they don't take place in the same universe or at some point Chuck Bass would get his pudgy pasty ass turned into sashimi in the name of hedonism.
But as for the sequels, definitely watch the second one. The third one you can give it a coin flip. Number 4 you could leave that to a dice roll. Fuck everything after that.
But totally read "The Hellbound Heart", which Hellraiser is based upon.
Oh, and see "Candyman". Like Hellraiser, it's like creepypasta cinema before creepypasta was a thing (well, technically creepypasta's the campfire tale/urban legend of the 21st century).
