Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth

An obvious improvement over its unwatchable immediate predecessor, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth follows a journalist (Terry Farrell’s Joey) as she stumbles upon Pinhead (Doug Bradley) and the Cenobites while investigating a series of murders. Filmmaker Anthony Hickox, working from Peter Atkins’ screenplay, delivers a decent-enough endeavor that opens with a fair degree of promise, as Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth kicks off with a relatively engaging first act that benefits from its stylish visuals and smattering of engaging sequences – with the initial emphasis on Joey’s compelling investigation perpetuating the watchable atmosphere. It’s clear, then, that the picture takes a palpable hit as it progresses into a meandering, wheel-spinning midsection, as Hickox increasingly stresses elements that couldn’t possibly be less interesting (or more tedious) – with this particularly true of the movie’s continuing emphasis on lackluster and entirely tiresome dream sequences. And although the film’s second half as been punctuated with a few irresistible sequences, including a fantastic interlude wherein Pinhead attacks a crowded nightclub, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth builds towards a watchable yet far from enthralling climax that ensures it ends on a fairly lackluster note – which ultimately secures its place as just another disposable horror sequel.

** out of ****