I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally see Rob Zombie’s highly anticipated 3 From Hell, the sequel to both House of 1000 Corpses and Devil’s Rejects.
The firefly family is back, somehow surviving the hail of bullets that rained down at the end of The Devil’s Rejects. Just when we thought the gang was down for the count we learn just how tough they truly are. While they find themselves in police custody, you know they won’t be caged long, because, well, they’re the Firefly family.
Bill Moseley’s Otis is simply brutal. After making his escape he only has one goal, to free his family. It’s amazing that such a great guy as Moseley can manifest someone so dark. Moseley’s portrayal of Otis proves just how talented the actor really is. After a 15 year gap between The Devil’s Rejects and 3 From Hell, Moseley never skips a beat. I find that incredible. During our recent interview, Moseley spoke about his role as Otis and who the character really is. Be sure to check it out.
Sheri Moon Zombie’s Baby is even crazier than before, maybe a little too crazy from her time served. She really went all in this time around. Baby’s still a joy to watch, especially when she has a weapon in her hand.
I have to talk about Richard Brake’s role as Otis and Baby’s half brother Winslow. Jesus, Brake killed it! Winslow fits in so well with Baby and Otis, it feels natural. He was great in Zombie’s 31, but he was made to play a character like Winslow. In his previous roles in Zombie’s films he wasn’t so outspoken, having few lines, but this time we really get to see Brake perform and he is so good. He is great with dark, twisted characters. I hope that this isn’t the last time we see Winslow.
My only disappointment is that Sid Haig didn’t have a bigger exit. His character deserved it. At the time of filming Sid was 80 and ill, I understand that it’s just that now that Haig is gone I guess I wish we had a little more of him. He will be greatly missed. He was a talented actor and a great man.
As for the film’s ending, perfect. It left things wide open for another installment, which I hope we get, but if it is truly is the final film of the trilogy, that makes the ending, in a way, even better. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil it for you.
It’s clear that Zombie is maturing as a writer-director. The cinematography, the dialogue, everything went to a new depth without losing that clearly unique style that fans have come to expect from him. Brutal and bloody, the third installment of the Firefly trilogy may very well be the best of them.
3 From Hell is a great film. I’m giving it a big 5 out of 5. You go in expecting terror and violence and that’s exactly what you get. Be sure to put 3 From Hell on your must-see list. It slashes its way onto Blu-ray and DVD on October 15, 2019.
