Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
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Plot: Gamers playing a MMORPG based on the "Hellraiser" franchise find their lives endangered after being invited to a rave, the host of which intends to show them the truth behind the Cenobite mythos.
The original Hellraiser is easily in my top 10 favorite horror films. Doug Bradley as Pinhead, the story, the practical effects (that scene when the blood drops on the floor is
The downfall of this eighth installment is that it tries a little too hard to be current. The game they are playing, "Hellworld", looks nothing like an RPG. Also, the way the kids dress and speak dates the film severely. The constant slang terms and overall sense of, "nobody gets me" attitude make me think I'm watching a film from the mid-90's, especially with those "Hellworld" graphics. I just don't think it should have had this subplot. Pinhead and the Cenobites have trouble finding themselves in this film and with a screen time of less than two minutes, Pinhead and the gang are barely in this. When they do make themselves known, it is a pretty big disappointment.
The makeup on the Cenobites is very lacking and Bradley just doesn't look like he is into the character anymore. They filmed this side by side with Hellraiser: Deader, so maybe that's why Doug Bradley looks exhausted, but it's obvious that this film should have not been made. Lance Henrikson has most of the screen time and his performance is fun. I just wish we had more Pinhead tearing souls apart like he used to. We do get some great kills in this film, but they are pretty half assed and overdone with CGI. It would have been nice to see what they could have done with Hellraiser: Hellworld 25 years ago.
I would only suggest this film if you are watching all the Hellraiser films in some sort of marathon. It doesn't make sense as a standalone film and it is very dated. Lance Henrikson has a fun performance, but aside from that there is no reason for repeat viewing. It's never a good sign when Pinhead and the Cenobites get out shined in their own franchise.