HELLRAISER 2 was my first introduction to the HELLRAISER series (back in the days of VHS rentals and I also saw EVIL DEAD 2 on the same night). It offered a version of hell that I hadn't seen before and it was an epic horror sequel. I still love HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER 2 more than the original HELLRAISER It picks up hours after the ending of the first movie. Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) finds herself detained at the Chanard Institute, a hospital for the mentally ill. But her torments are far from over as the chief doctor at the institute is determined to open a doorway to Hell for his own twisted desires. Kirsty finds that she is also up against her Dad's wife Julia (Claire Higgins) who has escaped death and she is seeking to work for Hell.

HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER 2 is the epic horror movie while HELLRAISER is the horror movie that centers mostly in a house. Kirsty has to face her demons one more time (with one being Pinhead (Doug Bradley)) while her new friend has to deal with her own past demons as they race to unravel the new Hell that the Hellraiser puzzle box (Lament Configuration) has opened. We also get to learn about Pinhead's past before he becomes the leader of the Cenobites. Ashley Laurence is one of the three stars that anchor this sequel (with Doug Bradley and Claire Higgins being the other two stand outs returning tot reprise their roles).

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Audio commentary with director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins
Audio commentary with Randel, Atkins, and actress Ashley Laurence

LEVIATHAN: THE STORY OF HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER 2- a definitive two hour documentary on the making the first sequel to HELLRAISER. This one of the best documentaries I have seen in a while and it is better than the LOST IN THE LABYRINTH featurtte which has been ported from the old Anchor Bay DVD.
BEING FRANK: SEAN CHAPMAN ON HELLBOUND- Sean Chapman talks about his small role in the sequel and how he felt disappointed by it
UNDER THE SKIN: DOUG BRADLEY ON HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER 2

Unfinished excised Surgeon Scene which is interesting to watch and yet thankfully cut
LOST IN THE LABYRINTH- vintage featurette including interviews with cast and crew
Behind-the-Scenes footage
On-set interviews with Clive Barker, cast, and crew
Rare and unseen storyboards
Image gallery
Draft screenplays (BD-ROM content)
Original Trailers and TV spots

FINAL ANALYSIS: HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER 2 is one of the two great HELLRAISER films and I will always think it is better than the first one as it expands on the mythology of the first film. The extras are fantastic with the making-of documentary worth a watch. Arrow Video has put together a fantastic release.

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