3 FROM HELL REVIEW
Starring: Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley, & Richard Brake
Directed By: Rob Zombie (Halloween ā 2007, The Devilās Rejects)
Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes
When Rob Zombie released his directorial debut āHouse of 1000 Corpsesā in 2003, it was a terrifying and loving homage to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.It is still to this day one of the most unnerving movies I have ever seen in my life.That movieās sequel in 2005, āThe Devilās Rejectsā, saw Zombie switch the genre up unexpectedly into a Bonnie and Clyde type of film.To great effect.It is still Zombieās best feature to date.The end of that movie, spoiler alert, saw our heroes (or is it villains) drive straight into a hail of police gunfire.We long thought the characters were dead and a third movie would be impossible.Well, enter ā3 From Hellā.
The third movie in the āFirefly Familyā trilogy sees our heroes (again, or is it villains) 15 years older and in prison for their actions in the first two films.They inevitably break out of said prison and wreak more havoc on unsuspecting victims.
Zombie has said repeatedly that he only wanted to tell another story with these characters if he had a good story to tell.He didnāt want to make a movie purely for fan service.Except this movie is purely for fan service, has no story worth telling, and is almost a carbon copy of The Devilās Rejects. I will take this opportunity to mention that I LOVE the films of Rob Zombie.Theyāre not all great, heās got some duds.But I find him to be an excellent filmmakerā¦just not here.Itās a toothless version of his prior films.
3 From Hell is very reminiscent of when Freddy Krueger began telling one liners in his movies instead of focusing on being terrifying.Most of the violence in 3 From Hell is played for comedic effect.Thereās very little tension like the first two films in this series.That could be because we now know the beats of these characters, OR because the movie is poorly written.Again, I like Zombie, so Iām willing to cut a little slack.But just a little.
This new film sees an additional member enter The Firefly Family, Winslow Foxworth Coltrane, the half-brother of Bill Moseleyās Otis character.The two have a great back-and-forth dynamic, but itās used for laughs instead of screams.Sheri Moon Zombieās Baby character is kept away from the others for the majority of the movie, and while sheās probably the highlight of the film, she isnāt enough to save it.
Going in, my expectations were fairly low.3 From Hell is essentially another straight to video movie from Rob Zombie.Much like his last two movies there is an EXTREMELY limited theatrical run.15 years after The Devilās Rejects I just wasnāt sure this was anything more than Rob Zombie grasping at straws to get another movie made.Iām sad to report, I might have been right.
On a scale of āSee It/Stream It/Skip Itā ā Skip It ā Iām a big fan of the series, and this is one of the worst movies of the year.āIt wasnāt scaryā isnāt a good way to review a horror movie, but this didnāt even try to be scary.It was merely violence used to make the audience laugh or cheer.It all lacked a purpose in my eyes.
If you liked Rob Zombieās 31, The Devilās Rejects, or House of 1000 Corpses you might like 3 From Hell.
1.5 out of 5 stars for 3 From Hell.