In a counter review to Kit Power's comprehensive review of Hellraiser and Chantal Noordeloos shows why she doesn't think Hellraiser stands up in a modern world.
Up until about a month ago, if you would have asked me what I thought of Hellraiser… I would have gushed and told you how awesome it was. I was a big fan of the first three films and I really loved everything about the demonic series. How can you not love the Cenobites that dance the fine line between pleasure and pain?
And then I made the mistake of watching it again… Spoiler alert: teenage memories were ruined. I don’t remember how old I was when I saw it for the first time, but I was young enough to be terrified. Now that I’m old and jaded, all I could see were crappy special effects and even crappier acting. Not even Doug Bradley (who still is the best pinhead ever) could save this movie from the awkward stares and uncomfortable 80’s montages. The film is slow… not good slow, not the kind where you get a nice build up and you get stuck into the characters before the story really begins… it’s the kind of slow where you find yourself wondering what the hell happened to the plot?
The idea behind Hellraiser is still pretty good, though I do feel it could use a few more layers to lift it to a higher level. I know the Barker fans will crucify me for this one, but my love for Hellraiser has died a thousand painful deaths. More painful than Larry’s demise when he opened the puzzle box. Sadly I must conclude that for me Hellraiser is just not the kind of movie that can stand up against the test of time. *runs and hides from the fans*
Up until about a month ago, if you would have asked me what I thought of Hellraiser… I would have gushed and told you how awesome it was. I was a big fan of the first three films and I really loved everything about the demonic series. How can you not love the Cenobites that dance the fine line between pleasure and pain?
And then I made the mistake of watching it again… Spoiler alert: teenage memories were ruined. I don’t remember how old I was when I saw it for the first time, but I was young enough to be terrified. Now that I’m old and jaded, all I could see were crappy special effects and even crappier acting. Not even Doug Bradley (who still is the best pinhead ever) could save this movie from the awkward stares and uncomfortable 80’s montages. The film is slow… not good slow, not the kind where you get a nice build up and you get stuck into the characters before the story really begins… it’s the kind of slow where you find yourself wondering what the hell happened to the plot?
The idea behind Hellraiser is still pretty good, though I do feel it could use a few more layers to lift it to a higher level. I know the Barker fans will crucify me for this one, but my love for Hellraiser has died a thousand painful deaths. More painful than Larry’s demise when he opened the puzzle box. Sadly I must conclude that for me Hellraiser is just not the kind of movie that can stand up against the test of time. *runs and hides from the fans*
Chantal Noordeloos lives in the Netherlands, where she spends her time with her wacky, supportive husband, and outrageously cunning daughter, who is growing up to be a supervillain. When she is not busy exploring interesting new realities, or arguing with characters (aka writing), she likes to dabble in drawing. In 1999 she graduated from the Norwich School of Art and Design, where she focused mostly on creative writing. There are many genres that Chantal likes to explore in her writing. Currently Sci-fi Steampunk is one of her favorites, but her ‘go to’ genre will always be horror. “It helps being scared of everything; that gives me plenty of inspiration,” she says. Chantal likes to write for all ages, and storytelling is the element of writing that she enjoys most. “Writing should be an escape from everyday life, and I like to provide people with new places to escape to, and new people to meet.”
