Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes (Screamfest ‘06)
Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 29, 2006
Release Date: October 28, 2006 (television)
Hey all. Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes is a made for TV Sci-Fi original directed by Jake West. Screamfest was tossing around free tickets to this badboy so I went; I probably would have dodged it otherwise. But I found myself in a large theater with very few people around, although in attendance was director Jake West, a likeable guy and Lance Henrickson, genre superstar.
The film itself follows up on the story of Pumpkinhead, a demon that does your dirty work for you at the cost of your soul. The original is a decent flick that a lot of people hold dear, though the sequel was wildly regarded as trash. This version has a sort of evil Doctor who steals the organs of recently deceased townspeople and then tosses them into the woods instead of cremating them, and on occassion, killing a person or two. When the bodies are discovered, the townspeople are enraged, none more so than Lisa, who’s small child was found tossed into the swamp.
She remembers talk of an old legend and a crazed witch who can grant her the power to take vengance. She and several others do so, summoning Pumpkinhead, a tall, grotesque monster that goes about killing those responsible, and anyone who gets in the way. The evil Doctor is smart though and figures out how to stop Pumpkinhead. He has to kill those who summoned the demon to stop the demon. Now it’s on. Pumpkinhead is chasing down the Doc and his crew while they chase down Lisa and her friends.
When you dance with the devil, expect to get your toes steped on.
The flick is ok, maybe even good by Sci Fi standards, but I wasn’t overly impressed. I didn’t feel cheated by it, or like I wasted time. Glad I didn’t pay for it though. The practical effects are good, but the CGI is horrible. Jake West commented on that, knew it was bad, but said hey, it’s what they had the money for.
The acting is passable in most cases although overall it’s pretty Sci Fi standard. Lance Henrickson has little to do, but does it well. The story line seemed smart, although it really ends up falling a bit flat. Watch it on TV maybe, if you’re bored, but don’t chase it down unless you’re a diehard fan of Pumpkinhead, Lance Henrickson, or swamps.
On the Up Side: Lance Henrickson was there and he’s as cool and as bad ass as you think, if not more so.
On the Down Side: Low budget cripples the film and the CGI is laughable. The original Stan Winston Pumpkinhead was a masterpiece.
On the Side: Another sequel, Pumpkinhead: Blood Fued will be released on Sci Fi in 2007, this time helmed by Michael Hurst (House of the Dead 2).
Final Grade: C
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