As a longtime fan of horror films any chance to see iconic
figures return to the screen in a movie that is as good as the original is a
great thing. Far too often rather than find a movie that captures the
originality of the first film we are treated to Hollywood renditions of the
characters that fall far short of what we loved. That isn’t the case with
BASKETCASE 2.
The first film told the story of Duane Bradley (Kevin Van
Hentenryck) and his brother Belial. These were no ordinary brothers While Duane
appeared normal Belial was more of an appendage, a massive growth on Duane’s
side that was removed years earlier and is now carried around in a wicker
basket by Duane. Belial also had a penchant for attacking and killing people with
well sharpened fangs as opposed to teeth. At the end of the first film it
appeared the duo had died falling from a building.
As this film opens we discover that wasn’t the case. Instead
the pair have survived the fall and been taken away by Granny Ruth (Annie Ross)
and her daughter Susan (Heather Rattray) to a home she runs especially for
people like Duane and Belial. This is a gathering of “freaks” like none ever
seen before. Misshapen bodies and heads abound all belonging to individuals we
end up meeting along the way. We have a group here that has come to learn how
to live in this world without having to fear judgement among their peers.
But of course the odds of this group living here peacefully
isn’t long. In a world filled with media coverage of everything possible and
with Duane and Belial on the lam from the law in the wake of bodies left behind
by Belial, a reporter comes snooping in hopes of finding a story. The balance
of the group’s world will eventually come into question and the story may get
out. No one knows until the film’s end.
Along the way are two romances as well. The first and most
expected is between Duane and Susan. While Susan seems unaware of Duane’s
affections at first she eventually takes notice. The more unexpected romance is
between Belial and another member of the house named Eve who looks nearly
identical to him with the exception of being female.
So what makes this film work? The fact that director/writer
Frank Henenlotter doesn’t treat his characters as what most would call them,
“freaks”. He recognizes them as characters in his story, as human beings who
just happen to look different. This hasn’t been done much in film and I can
only recall the movie FREAKS as having done the same decades earlier. While
their outward appearance might seem monstrous to those seeing them for the
first time they come off as more human than many humans in the film.
That Henenlotter was able to create a further story to match
the original is wonderful. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this is the
greatest movie of all time. But I had a ton of fun watching this one and
enjoyed it from start to finish. It’s more polished than the original but one
would expect that. The budget had to have been bigger and Henenlotter had
gained more experience before this movie was made. It shows on the screen.
The movie was successful enough to garner a follow up, a
third chapter that unfortunately was a straight to video (at the time) film
that didn’t quite compare. But all of the movies lend themselves to some gore
filled fun for horror fans. That Synapse has taken the time to bring this out
in a blu-ray edition complete with a few extras says a lot about their
dedication to keeping alive movies the mainstream overlooks. Fans will find
this a must have for the collection. Those who want every movie in a series
will want it as well. And horror fans should make a point of seeking it out and
adding it as well. It’s just that much fun.
Click here to order.
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