Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth (1992)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  Third entry in the Hellraiser series is a pretty decent film. With a pretty interesting idea for a film. Though not as strong as the first two, Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth is still a good enough entry in the series compared the last couple of entries. Pinhead still delivers pain &… More
  Third entry in the Hellraiser series is a pretty decent film. With a pretty interesting idea for a film. Though not as strong as the first two, Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth is still a good enough entry in the series compared the last couple of entries. Pinhead still delivers pain & pleasure and terrifies his victims. Though at times lacking in direction, and somewhat unfocused; director Anthony Hickox does a decent job at delivering a third entry. Despite its flaws, the third Hellraiser might appeal to die-hard fans of the films. The film still has enough good elements to make it a watchable horror film, and unlike others in the series; this third film is a film worth watching. The filmmakers had enough ideas to make a good third entry, and the result is a decent to good film that if you loved the first two, then you might enjoy this film. Of course this is a step down from Hellbound: Hellraiser II, but it still delivers good, chilling elements. Though it has some interesting elements, the film feels tiresome compared to Hellbound, luckily the next sequel, Bloodline would be a much successful affair. But like I previously stated, this third entry is a decent one, but at times you see that the ideas falter on-screen, and the story ends up being so-so. Still entertaining despite its flaws, just don't expect a solid sequel such as Hellbound. Watch it by expecting something decent, and you'll most likely not be disappointed. A decent story and good terrifying elements that you'd expect from a Hellraiser film keep this from being a dud.

• AJ V

  
  I was really disappointed in this movie. The previous two in the series set up rules and boundaries, and then this movie goes and breaks all the rules. The function of the cube is even lost. I got really confused too, and I understood the other two perfectly. The ending made the… More
  I was really disappointed in this movie. The previous two in the series set up rules and boundaries, and then this movie goes and breaks all the rules. The function of the cube is even lost. I got really confused too, and I understood the other two perfectly. The ending made the whole thing seem pointless as well. Overall, I didn't care for this one.

• David L

  
  The films 'Hellraiser' and 'Hellbound: Hellraiser II,' weren't like anything ever seen before. They were doors into new worlds. The end of II was an open ending, so it seemed only natural that more sequels come, and 4 years later we got one. But something had… More
  The films 'Hellraiser' and 'Hellbound: Hellraiser II,' weren't like anything ever seen before. They were doors into new worlds. The end of II was an open ending, so it seemed only natural that more sequels come, and 4 years later we got one. But something had changed, and not necessarily for the better. It was decided that Pinhead, otherwise known as the Lead Cenobite, would be the villain and given more to do this time around. On top of that a big studio, in this case Paramount, would be the new distributor and we all know what can happen sometimes when a big studio gets involved. If I'm making it sound like I hate 'Hellraiser III,' I don't, but like other fans I feel this is where the series began to lose it. I will as far as pace the movie moves right along. Good performances, the standout being Paula Marshall. The urban setting is a nice change of scenery. An OK score that mixes some classic 'Hellraiser' themes with some new stuff. Some really good special and visual effects. The war scenes are well done. Some excellent set pieces, my personal fave being the one in the club. Some pretty neat new Cenobites. I have a number of issues with the film that would take forever to go over but to just name a few of them, we have no real surprises or much we haven't already seen. Though Doug Bradley does a good job as both Pinhead and Captain Elliot Spencer, the fact that Pinhead is made the villain and given more screen time does make him a bit less scary and mysterious. The final confrontation is kind of disappointing. Though not at all a bad film, this second sequel to Clive Barker's ground breaking film is a step down from it's predecessors. As I said there's not much here fans haven't already seen and both Pinhead and the film are pretty much on the same level as other movie monsters of the time, which was never the idea. But still it's fun, has some style, and is far more interesting than some of the other sequels which became very hit and miss as the series went along.

• Conner R

  
  Not quite as good as the previous two, but it still has the torture elements that make it fun. Pinhead got more screen time, which was nice. However, the other cenobites were excluded in this, who are just as amazing as him. It does have a good story and it was a nice little… More
  Not quite as good as the previous two, but it still has the torture elements that make it fun. Pinhead got more screen time, which was nice. However, the other cenobites were excluded in this, who are just as amazing as him. It does have a good story and it was a nice little stand-alone piece, I just felt there was something missing.

• Anthony L

  
  I enjoyed the comedy cenobites, particularly CD mouth and Camera head but all in all, this is a crap film with no story and worse acting. The effects/gore couldn't make up for it unfortunately although they are good in places.

• Cassandra M

  
  Ah, 'Hell on Earth'? another gem, solely for having Doug on screen more than most. But it was enjoyable for other reasons, too. I never even noticed that Pete Atkins snuck in there as the bartender who becomes Barbie the Cenobite! And of course the back-story on Elliott was… More
  Ah, 'Hell on Earth'? another gem, solely for having Doug on screen more than most. But it was enjoyable for other reasons, too. I never even noticed that Pete Atkins snuck in there as the bartender who becomes Barbie the Cenobite! And of course the back-story on Elliott was a treat. Everyone really did a fantastic job in this one, too, with playing their characters to the hilt. Even the little ditzy blonde that J.P. lures to bed only to end up a McCenobite snack. Yeah, she was a talking stereotype, but she was 100% into it. She is also a study in how clueless women often act, sad to say. They believe what they want to, ignoring the facts of life and getting hurt ? or in this case munched down without sauce. Another little bit of psychology tossed in, and I love it every time they do it. In that scene, there is a quote that I rarely hear cited in any 'favorite quotes' thread, but it's a great one: "Their wealth was so tempting, their affection so conditional, what could you do?" Dr. Pinhead is in. Face it, he'd make a great therapist, even if the couch might have nails sticking out of it. Of course my personal favorite quote is also in this scene: "Flesh. Power. Dominion." But I'm not going to explain why. =) It was great to read that Doug had gotten to play with the make-up for the second crew's director, applying the wound effects on the guy that Camerahead stabs his lens through. Doug tells us in his book that he was just standing around on set when the crew turned out to be short-handed and he stepped up to help. Now whenever I watch that scene I think, "There's Doug's handiwork!" The main thing that bugged me about this film was Joey falling for Pinhead's trick of showing up as her father. Not a problem with the movie, it's just one of those 'scream at the screen' moments. How can she be so stupid? But hey, that's our clueless women believing what they want to phenomenon kicking in again! (Not to pick on women - men do it, too). ;) And I know he doesn't believe it, but the bit where Doug says the word 'unstoppable'? It's not messed up. I watched it again a few times (as directed) and never heard a thing wrong with it. That's at least two against one?. *wink*

• Bruce B

  
  This is the 3rd Film in the Hellraiser Series, and the rarest of the bunch, just try and find it, and see the price for a new copy. Got mine in a pawn shop. It just gets better and better with each film in the hellraiser series, thought I was slightly disappointed in the demons in… More
  This is the 3rd Film in the Hellraiser Series, and the rarest of the bunch, just try and find it, and see the price for a new copy. Got mine in a pawn shop. It just gets better and better with each film in the hellraiser series, thought I was slightly disappointed in the demons in Hellraiser 2, notice I said slightly. Hellraiser 3 makes up for it 3 times over. The demons are just out of this world (haha). The special effects are incredible, and I can only wish I never run into anything like these guys in my dreams. They are horrifying. And who ever dreams up these demons is gifted with a fantastic mind. While watching this you should at least shutter once. A Must for the collection. On to Hell Raiser 4.

• _kelly .

  
  This is my favorite of the Hellraisers so far (I'm through 4:Bloodline) because I am most pleased with this script and story. But it seems I had to forsake a bit of gore and effects quality in return for the improved editing and script. The cinematography is less cheeky, has some… More
  This is my favorite of the Hellraisers so far (I'm through 4:Bloodline) because I am most pleased with this script and story. But it seems I had to forsake a bit of gore and effects quality in return for the improved editing and script. The cinematography is less cheeky, has some great moments of simple camera and lighting montage achievements, nothing else in fx needed but for Pinhead's costume and makeup. Actually the more I think on it, I take back what I said about the effects. There are a few shots repeated from the second movie, which those are shit, but the bar massacre, trench of dead soldiers, and Pinhead scuplture in this one are all awesome feats of the production crew/art department. I LOVE the army of Cenobites, though I can see how one might get sentimental about The Chatterer's absence.

• Lafe F

  
  A cool Hellraiser movie centering around the rotating pillar of hooks and chains, with attached body parts which have been torn off victims. This pillar solidifies into a seeming work of art, which a night club owner purchases. Soon Hell will emerge, as the pillar demands blood. A… More
  A cool Hellraiser movie centering around the rotating pillar of hooks and chains, with attached body parts which have been torn off victims. This pillar solidifies into a seeming work of art, which a night club owner purchases. Soon Hell will emerge, as the pillar demands blood. A TV reporter investigates strange goings-on at the night club and the weird patient admitted to the hospital with hooks and chains imbedded in his flesh. The reporter takes in a gothic street girl. There's an eerie flashback to Pinhead's wicked wartime beginnings. After an awesome scene where a girl's skin is ripped off, the evil is unleashed, in a huge nightclub slaughter scene - it's amazingly done. Then the cenobyte demons take the slaughter to the streets, where the reporter has a showdown with Pinhead. This is all the Hell on Earth we're gonna get. The ending promises a giant Hellraiser cube made into an office tower, which sorta comes true in part 4 of the series. I felt they were getting further away from the original pleasure-pain temptation premise the original established; and going into muddled dark fantasy ramblings where Elm Street movies tend to go.

• danny d

  
  the end was rediculous

• Dean M

  
  Sick horror flick and dislike that boogeyman.

• Yinalí R

  
  very weird.

• Daniel P

  
  Less confused than its immediate predecessor (<i>Hellbound</i>), but also less scary and hampered by some truly wretched performances, this is nonetheless a pretty decent entry into the seemingly never-ending Hellraiser franchise. <p>The dream/reality storyline lacks… More
  Less confused than its immediate predecessor (<i>Hellbound</i>), but also less scary and hampered by some truly wretched performances, this is nonetheless a pretty decent entry into the seemingly never-ending Hellraiser franchise. <p>The dream/reality storyline lacks any real logic but allows for some impressive visuals on what is clearly a small budget. There are a few too many cheesy one-liners from the villains and there's far too much concentration on Pinhead (he hardly appeared in the first film), who is by now firmly established as the star and so the menacing aspect is somewhat diminished as he is relegated to Freddy Kruger campiness. Still, decent entertainment, just switch off as soon as the credits begin rolling, or you'll be subjected to one of those awful early nineties rock anthems.

• Sylvester K

  
  Cheaply made, ridiculous plot, nice make up won't save the movie

• Quinto W

  
  Thi is the first time Pinhead actually comes across as evil, since in previous installments he was somewhat docile and just doing his job; this gives way for an interesting take on the characters, plust the fact that the main character are all new to the series also helps make it feel… More
  Thi is the first time Pinhead actually comes across as evil, since in previous installments he was somewhat docile and just doing his job; this gives way for an interesting take on the characters, plust the fact that the main character are all new to the series also helps make it feel fresh and explore other elements of the mythology.

• Ivan D

  
  A good "Hellraiser" sequel, but instead of staying to the cold, and grim tone of the first 2 films, it departed from the mood it best fits and turned into a more fast-paced, action-oriented one than the first 2's slow, and calculated pacing. But overall, "Hell on… More
  A good "Hellraiser" sequel, but instead of staying to the cold, and grim tone of the first 2 films, it departed from the mood it best fits and turned into a more fast-paced, action-oriented one than the first 2's slow, and calculated pacing. But overall, "Hell on Earth" is not bad as many people think, and the idea of Pinhead having a good and bad side is very interesting for me, especially their struggle in the climax. Elliot is indeed a hero, and Pinhead is a one-liner machine.

• Marcus W

  
  Usually by the third film, most franchises have run out of steam, this one evidently still has plenty of guts, and this is my favourite one thus far. It moves on from the original by utilising "The Pillar" as the trigger instead of "The Box". It delves further… More
  Usually by the third film, most franchises have run out of steam, this one evidently still has plenty of guts, and this is my favourite one thus far. It moves on from the original by utilising "The Pillar" as the trigger instead of "The Box". It delves further back into the character of Pinhead while also keeping things moving forward, and although the original Cenobites don't appear there are some wonderful new ones. It's clever, very well made and still really inventive.

• Adam M

  
  Decent second sequel to the iconic horror series.In this one, Pinhead is unleashed on the Earth through a statue type thing that a sleazy nightclub owner buys as a centre piece for his room.The key to Pinhead's escape is through the bodies of victims that get sucked into the… More
  Decent second sequel to the iconic horror series.In this one, Pinhead is unleashed on the Earth through a statue type thing that a sleazy nightclub owner buys as a centre piece for his room.The key to Pinhead's escape is through the bodies of victims that get sucked into the statue and feeding him the flesh and blood he needs to fully enter Earth and it's the job of a local reporter to use the special box that Pinhead and the cenobites escaped from to send them back to hell. This has some cool gory moments and the story and script isn't that bad,despite the odd cheesey line but thats expected.The main let down would be the random appearance of the ghost of the man who later became pinhead,all we know is that he fought with the reporters dead dad in the war but there's no real explanation as to why he's there or how he got there,unless i missed something.Other than that, not as good as the first two but still good.

• Juny L

  
  Third installment of Hellraiser not as good as the previous two but worth watching for the massacre that happens in the night club & few other bloody scenes.Wasn't so thrill with the new cenobites for this film that looks silly besides didn't care for the plot. <a… More
  Third installment of Hellraiser not as good as the previous two but worth watching for the massacre that happens in the night club & few other bloody scenes.Wasn't so thrill with the new cenobites for this film that looks silly besides didn't care for the plot. <a href="http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk55/spirit-oftheforest/?action=view&current=mj3kub.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk55/spirit-oftheforest/mj3kub.gif" border="0" alt="hellraiser"></a>

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