Pumpkinhead III: Ashes to Ashes (2006) Review:

While upon its release Ray Winston's directorial debut with Pumpkinhead (1988) didn't gather the praise it may have wanted, it has managed to maintain its cult status. Despite that, studios are always looking to make a quick buck and manage to further nothing that made the original so memorable. Jeff Burr's Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994) was by no means a good film but there were things about it that made it funny to watch. There were all kinds of wrong with how the studio messed around with the final product. From a creative standpoint though, the story tried to do something different with the vengeance demon, which deserves kudos. Unfortunately, it was its continuity that was hard to figure out. Here though, this sequel is the opposite.

Ioana Ginghina

Taking place in a small community (presumably from the first film), a bunch of town locals discover that their mortician, Doc Fraser (Doug Bradley) has been doing malpractice on fellow family members. The person to first realize this is Molly Sue (Tess Panzer) and finds Haggis (Lynne Verrall) the witch who has the power to summon Pumpkinhead for vengeance. Meanwhile her partner Oliver (Emanuel Parvu) begins his own investigation and meets Bunt Wallace (Douglas Roberts) who continues to have hallucinations of Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen). Written by John & Barbara Werner, the plot behind this feature is truly a dud. Viewers will be very much familiar with this setup as it is a direct copy from the original film.

Unlike Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994), which tried a different narrative, nothing's changed here. The only interesting aspect to this sequel is that viewers will be given the clear indication that this indeed takes place after Pumpkinhead (1988). The fact that the writers included Haggis, Bunt and Ed Harley again was appreciative, but that's where it ends. The use of these characters is far and few between as to how they should've been addressed. Instead, fans see goofy acting among many thespians who just truly show that this is a TV film. Actors like Lisa McAllister, Tess Panzer and Ioana Ginghina are just boring. The only unknown actor who stands out more is Emanuel Parvu, although his voice doesn't match his look.

Jake West’s skill as a director wasn't that impressive either. His filmography has been more relegated to documentaries. He's only directed a few films like Razor Blade Smile (1998), Evil Aliens (2005) and most recently Doghouse (2009). As for the recognizable stars, not even they're truly safe. Doug Bradley and Lance Henriksen are both credible actors, but here they feel awfully unenthusiastic. If anything, Lynne Verrall and Douglas Roberts try harder. The violence and special effects for this feature were barely passable as well. The prosthetic Pumpkinhead is okay in some places but other times not as much. At least the first sequel had the decency to stick to practical effects. When you see a CGI Pumpkinhead, that's when you know it's bad.

"Ummm,....I thought you were taller?"

Gore is pretty much in the same bag. Not a lot of it is shown and when it is, it's not the best. Cinematography wasn't excusable either. Erik Wilson as the cinematographer was average with what he was given. Much of the shots are dimly lit and from an interior standpoint, the scenes look even cheaper. Only do the outer sets actually look okay. Wilson also worked on a film called The 13th Sign (2000) and would surprisingly go on to Paddington (2014). Lastly, one of the few redeeming qualities to this entry was the music composed by Rob Lord. While not having a ton of recognizable credits to his name, Lord at least managed to make the music sound sort of like the original although not exactly. A movie he worked on before was Slipstream (2005).

Trying for a second time, this second sequel matches the first but for other reasons. While the screenwriters resurrect old characters from the first film, it isn't much because the plot is all too familiar. The music is the only additional plus. Everything else from effects, acting and camerawork is iffy at best.

Points Earned --> 4:10

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) Review:

When Sylvester Stallone first entered the scene as John Rambo, viewers may not have been expecting such an explosive turn out in the character he played. Aside from Rocky Balboa, Stallone didn't have many tent pole characters he could create a franchise off of. By 1985, Stallone was already up to Rocky IV (1985), and there was only First Blood (1982). Thankfully Stallone's first outing as Rambo secured him enough to start another line up of films. And while the first film was able to make a clear point about life as a war veteran and the hardships that came with it, Stallone had way more control over the story in this sequel. This is also because Rambo was not supposed to live after the first film.

Julia Nickson as Co

After the events of First Blood (1982), Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) picks up John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) again for a new assignment. Wanting to determine whether there are any surviving POWs left in a Vietnamese camp, Rambo is assigned by Major Marshall Murdock (Charles Napier) to spy and take photographs (only) if any POWs exist. But things don't go as planned when Rambo discovers POWs do exist with the help of an inside informant named Co (Julia Nickson), who's also looking to flee the country. The screenplay says it was written by Stallone and James Cameron believe it or not. Although, much of what Cameron drafted originally was later changed by Stallone. The usual tropes Stallone includes in his scripts can sort of be picked out here too.

Instead of further exploring John Rambo's tortured psyche, Stallone's approach for this entry was looking more at people in his situation and the political drama that happens behind the scenes. The only individuals Rambo trusts are Co & Trautman. Unfortunately, Co's history with Rambo isn't so clear, the plot is basically a reverse of the Rambo's. He came home from war in First Blood (1982). Now he's returning to war in the sequel. Much of the story works because of the social commentary on whose really in control of international affairs, such as adding Steven Berkoff to the cast as Colonel Podovsky. But the other side characters like Co, or Ericson (Martin Kove) don't add a whole lot because of how little development they receive. The fates of their characters are quite obvious.

For how those characters are handled, it could also be in part to how the director worked with Stallone. Then again, George P. Cosmatos would also later go on to direct Cobra (1986), Leviathan (1989) and Tombstone (1993), arguably his best work to most. What Cosmatos was certainly capable of directing were the action set pieces. Throughout this film, again mainly due to Stallone's rewrites, the action is cranked up far higher than it was in the last film. There's a ton more explosions, gunfire, stabbings and arrows being shot. If there's one thing that was missed from the first film it was the survival aspects Rambo used for himself while all alone. If anything, that should have been used more, even though there were some aspects of it shown like the utilization of natural backgrounds for camouflage.

"I never wanted your party invite!"

The cinematography also changed hands for this sequel. Replacing Andrew Laszlo from the initial film is Jack Cardiff, another cameraman from the classic era of filmmaking. Unlike the first movie where Laszlo was filming areas of the western hemisphere, Cardiff was to make the film feel much more eastern. Making sure that the scenery looked as foreign as possible to the domestic viewer. Cardiff also filmed on Stephen King's Cat's Eye (1985). Lastly for music, Jerry Goldsmith returns to score the film and he too amps up his work. Originally, his first score to First Blood (1982) did not highlight the motif of John Rambo as much. That's a one eighty turn for this entry; where Goldsmith makes sure Rambo's theme is played in as many places as possible and it sounds great.

Part II is a decent sequel to the original even though it drops the whole PTSD angle for more carnage and political commentary. However, it's still great entertainment as it pits the main character at unbelievable odds as much as the outcome seems highly improbable. The cinematography and music only further make it that much fun.

Points Earned --> 7:10