Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes (2006)

Director:

Jake West

Writers:

Barbara Werner (screenplay), Jake West (screenplay),

Stars:

Doug Bradley, Lance Henriksen, Lisa McAllister

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Doug Bradley	...	Doc Fraser
Lance Henriksen	...	Ed Harley
Lisa McAllister	...	Dahlia Wallace
Tess Panzer	...	Molly Sue Allen
Emanuel Parvu	...	Oliver Allen
Ioana Ginghina	...	Ellie Johnson
Douglas Roberts	...	Bunt Wallace (as Doug Roberts)
Radu Iacoban	...	Richie
Catalin Paraschiv	...	Ronnie Johnson
Dan Astileanu	...	Sheriff Bullock (as Dan Astilean)
Dicu Aurel	...	Tiny Wallace (as Aurel Dicu)
Iulian Glita	...	Junior Wallace
Lynne Verrall	...	Haggis
Emil Hostina	...	Lenny
Philip Bowen	...	Reverend McGee

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

vengeance | demon | rotting corpse | car accident | building on fire | 

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Taglines:

He threw their loved ones into a swamp. Now they want revenge... But when a demon does their dirty work, it comes at a price.

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence/gore and some drug content

Details

Country:

UK USA Romania

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pumpkinhead: El llamado de la tumba

Filming Locations:

Castel Film Studios, Bucharest, Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA), Castel Film Romania, Clubdeal

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ellie Johnson: [to Pumpkinhead] You's the devil, ain't ya? Take me home!

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Connections

Followed by Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud (2007)

User Reviews

Better than "Bloodwings."

I realize that ain't saying much. However, for a johnny-come-lately, direct-to-video (or worse, direct-to-Sci Fi Channel) sequel, it's got moxie. While the story stays true to all the canonical elements set forth in the first film, this sequel offers more than a simple retread of "Pumpkinhead"'s plot. For instance, the demon's quarry this time around is comprised of grave robbers and murders, yet their motives are a benefit to the impoverished town in which in they live. Moreover, of the three who call on the demon, one takes a disturbingly self-destructive and sadistic delight in Pumpkinhead's carnage. So, as in the first, there's some interesting moral ambiguity here.

On the other hand, much of the dialogue is stilted and contrived, and while the cast is game, none but Doug Bradley, as the villainous town doctor, are able to settle comfortably into their roles. Some of the cinematography is dynamic, but it seems as though only Stan Winston and Bojan Bazelli will ever be able to convincingly capture Pumpkinhead on film. (The CGI used for some scenes is downright embarrassing.)

At best, "Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes" is a missed opportunity. It had real potential, and an extra million and a couple more rewrites might have brought it out. As it stands, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but die-hard Pumpkinhead fans that are able to see through the significant flaws might find something of merit here. It'll be one of those films that rests in you memory better than on celluloid.