On September 28, 2021, Lionsgate unleashed 3 From Hell exclusively on Steelbook. Being a fan of the Firefly trilogy and Rob Zombie, I had to get my hands on a copy.
Let’s begin with the cover, after all, it is the first thing you see. The plastic outer cover features artwork of Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), Winslow (Richard Brake), and Otis Firefly (Bill Moseley) along with the title, and it’s fantastic! The artwork is brilliantly done. Once the plastic hardcover slides off the steelbook is revealed and has the same artwork except with skeletal faces on the front and three caskets on the back. It screams Rob Zombie! The case has a great metal feel and weight.
Inside the case are two discs and a card with the digital copy’s information. The first disc has the classic 3 From Hell art that was released when the movie was first announced. The second disc also has the Firefly family.
First came House of 1000 Corpses then The Devil’s Rejects, and now with 3 from Hell, the story of the Fireflys continues. Somehow surviving the hail of bullets that rained down at the end of The Devil’s Rejects and 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 (if you can imagine that), maybe a little too crazy from her time served. She really went all in this time around. Zombie’s Baby’s 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. The relationship 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, only having a few lines, but this time we really get to see Brake perform and he is so good. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
I hate that Sid Haig didn’t have a bigger role in this movie. His character deserved it. But 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.
My only real complaint with the film is the CGI, especially when it came to blood splatter, bullet wounds, and shots fired. It did not look good and it was easy to tell that it was CGI. In the moment when you’re truly invested and on the edge of your seat, seeing something that fake is just distracting.
As for the film’s ending, it was perfect. 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, bloody, and gritty, the third installment of the Firefly trilogy is everything I hoped it would be.
The 4K and Blu-ray include great special features, including a four-part documentary, To Hell and Back: The Making of 3 From Hell. And what would a Rob Zombie movie be without commentary from the rocker/writer/director himself? Listen as Zombie walks you through filming and his thoughts.
The 3 from Hell steelbook is now out exclusively at Best Buy. I highly recommend it. It’s a great addition to any collection.
