Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (Video 1994)

Thrill-seeking teenagers resurrect a demon from his grave and a bloody rampage for revenge begins.

Director:

Jeff Burr

Writers:

Andrew Osborne (additional dialogue), Constantine Chachornia,

Stars:

Andrew Robinson, Ami Dolenz, Soleil Moon Frye

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andrew Robinson	...	Sean Braddock
Ami Dolenz	...	Jenny Braddock
Soleil Moon Frye	...	Marcie
J. Trevor Edmond	...	Danny Dixon
Hill Harper	...	Peter
Alexander Polinsky	...	Paul
Mark McCracken	...	Pumpkinhead
Steve Kanaly	...	Judge Dixon
Gloria Hendry	...	Delilah Pettibone
Lilyan Chauvin	...	Miss Osie
Caren Kaye	...	Beth Braddock
J.P. Manoux	...	Tommy
John Gatins	...	Young Caspar Dixon
Roger Clinton	...	Mayor Bubba
Joe Unger	...	Ernst

Storyline

After a group of teenagers indirectly cause an old witch to be burned, they accidently revive Pumpkinhead. This time Pumpkinhead is inhabited by the soul of a deformed orphan killed 30 years before. He goes on a bloody rampage after his tormentors and the teenagers. Meanwhile, a local sheriff tries to solve the mystery and stop the murders.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | witch | murder | monster | teen | 

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Taglines:

They couldn't leave dead enough alone.

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for horror violence, sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 1994 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Pumpkinhead II

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Soleil Moon Frye had to gain 20 pounds for her role as Marcie in this film.

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Goofs

When the Judge confronts Pumpkinhead, he pulls a revolver and fires. Though the revolver is a six shooter, the gun actually fires eight rounds continuously without reloading.

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Quotes

Paul: What is it?
Peter: I don't know. Ask Marcy; she knows all about this witch shit.
Marcie: Don't ask me; this stuff is way beyond Ouija boards.

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Connections

Follows Pumpkinhead (1988)

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Soundtracks

"Go Away"
Produced by Hype Dreams
Performed by Rats Nest
Mind and Body Music, ASCAP

User Reviews

Sweet, sweet revenge. Boogieman style.

Sean Braddock takes up residence as sheriff in Ferren Woods, the town he grew up in, along with his wife and rebellious daughter Jenny. Straight away she gets in with the wrong crowd, where the group cause trouble one night when they accidentally cause the fire of an old witch's house and for fun unknowingly resurrect the demon known as "Pumpkinhead". The soul of the deformed orphan who lived in the woods returns to this deranged monster. It sweeps the countryside seeking revenge against those who were behind his death three decades ago and plus those teenagers who brought him back. Grisly death mount up, and Sheriff Broddock learns that the legend of the "Pumpkinhead" might have its foot in reality.

Do I care about its bad reputation? I guess not. Since I took the time to watch it. The low-budget, straight-to-video sequel is an okay addition that had its moments and sound performances to cater for its blaring shortcomings. However it's the monster we're waiting for, and director Jeff Burr (a sequel journeyman you could say) serves up the beast and bloody mayhem on a silver plateau. The ominously atmospheric first one (with a sublime lead performance by Lance Henriksen) is certainly superior in every department, but as for sequels go. You could do a lot worse. Well, it does seem like a pointless exercise, but just like the first sequel to "Candyman", the story plays the usual trumps (basic retread of first), but it also wants to overfeed the history of "Pumpkinhead". Burr knows there's nothing to surprise us anymore with a frail plot with an promising premise, so there's more of the monster shown on screen and what it dishes out is far more nastier, violent and more imaginative in its carnage. There's just something creepy and cruel about the deaths.

The make-up effects have some juicy inclusions, despite some cheap and corny looking aspects, but the imposing monster design still looks fair enough, even with some rubbery shades. Burr's junky direction is cheerful and plucky, but he demonstrates few striking visuals with well-filtered lighting (like strobe) that come across as foreboding in their set-up. Sometimes it can get laughable with too many hapless victims just standing there in front of "Pumpkinhead" waiting to get killed off, when there's an actual chance to do something or RUN! However the atmosphere is very patchy, which makes sure it doesn't have the same impact the original created.

Streaming from the production is a cheap TV feel, but the swiftly compact camera-work manages some inventive tilt frames, wild movements and trippy red "Pumpkinhead" vision lensing. The thrills and pace were kind of a stop and go affair, as you really felt it because the tepidly cardboard script lead to many silly (and contrived) avenues working there way in and the lack of an strong lead performance really showed it up immensely. There's nothing wrong with Andrew Robinson's sincerely hearty performance as Sheriff Braddock, but intensity was lacking, instead there seemed to be a lighter tone to everything about it. Except for the violence, of course. Thinking more about it actually, he looked rather flustered. The gorgeous Ami Dolenz makes for a wonderful performance as Jenny and Gloria Hendry kicks up some interest. The rest of the hysterical cast aren't so memorable, while the teens weren't particularly that good with the stereotypical traits. With Steve Kanaly, Hill Harper, Soleil Moon Frye and J. Trevor Edmond. Appearing in small and amusing parts are a familiar Linnea Quigley and Kane Hodder. Yep the trivia is right, Bill Clinton's brother Roger Clinton shows up as the Town's mayor.

Formulaic, cheesy b-fun emerges from this earnest sequel that doesn't try to outdo its original, but more so complement it. Maybe it's bad, but I kinda enjoyed it.