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Originally published: June 23, 2006

Once again, my Dark Genius ™ appears to be facing challenge. Once again, I will respond in full force leveling all in my path. Wonder what the hell I’m yammering about? Hellraiser: Hellworld, of course. It’s in the title, you know.

So yes, it does appear that there is some dissension over whether Hellraiser: Hellworld was a good film or not. I have my definite opinions about this but I’m going to liberally spread a little disclaimer over my hind end before we get to the nitty and the gritty. This is my second Hellraiser film. Also, I’ve not read the books. I believe my horror geek rep just shrank. I’ll survive.

Hellraiser: Hellworld came out in 2005. Let’s see what all the fuss is about…

At first, as the movie opened I wasn’t quite sure where it was supposed to be taking place. I’m still not entirely sure but I do believe it’s the United States. We’ve got a group of college-age kids at a funeral for their friend. See, they used to hang out together and despite their hip sensibilities were apparently addicted to "an inter-net game" (this is said as if we were transported back in time to the early 90’s when such terms were new). Don’t be fooled, friends, these hip youngsters were overtaken by Hellworld. They were immersed in game and the game was apparently their main form of recreation. This seems to have led to the death of their dearly departed friend.

Hellworld isn’t like other online games. From what the movie shows us, it’s actually cool with it’s own underground scene. Horror-themed raves, from the looks of things. Players log in and solve the virtual puzzle box and are then able to print out their own invitation. It’s all very exclusive and uber swank, you see.

So the group, despite the reluctance of Chelsea (played by Katheryn Winnick), all head out to the groovy party of fiendish delights. The place is bangin’ from the minute they arrive and meet The Host, Lance Henriksen, a favorite of mine. You might remember him from Aliens or the TV show Millenium. He shows them the glorious mansion where they’ll be partying and proudly displays quite a collection of macabre eye candy. It’s all pretty cool. There’s even a dance going on for the players to get freaky - provided they could dance and well… not many of those shown on screen appear to possess that elusive talent.

Pictured: Pinhead considers a midnight snack of pickled babies… in Hellraiser: Hellworld on DVD

I really can’t say too much more about the story, but I figure you’ve gathered that it’s a horror movie and as such you can expect plenty of blood-letting and creepiness. You can also expect a heavy dose of sexual debauchery, not to mention a solid helping of nudity. The acting’s not too bad, really. Katheryn Winnick really showed her stuff in this film and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at a scene near the end of the movie. Watch for it, it’s quite gratifying and not at all what you might expect from the main female lead in a horror movie (unless you’re a Laymon reader). Hopefully this represents a new turn in female characters and their response to danger.

The setting was fun, even if not super believable. It’s definitely cool to imagine a party in a mansion that you can only be invited to by such unique means. It certainly makes raves seem a bit more intimidating, over all. The story’s got more twists than an overachieving contortionists, that’s for sure. Every time I thought I knew how the movie was going or how it might end, it threw me yet again. This helped to keep the tension up and the interest level extremely high. I’m not sure how anyone could dislike that in a movie, but apparently some fans just don’t feel it was enough like what they’d come to expect from a Hellraiser picture. Perhaps I’ll feel differently after I see the rest of the series. I highly doubt it, but I’ll try to stay open-minded.

The song that concludes the movie, as the credits roll totally stuck in my head. It’s nothing even close to what I was expecting to close the film, but it certainly is memorable. I’d have to say the whole film warrants atleast a 4 out of 5. It’s not totally perfect, but it’s damned close.

Until next I write, this is GlowStormLion, dueling the forces of good and vanquishing heroes left and right in a gallant attempt to keep balance in our fragile universe. Also, I’m browsing through a collection of photographs I’ve taken of your mother while she was bathing.

Don’t be crude, of course I paid her!

-- by GlowStormLion of http://www.happyhorror.com

Tags: game, horror, movie, role playing game

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