Waxwork (1988) & Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992) #Cheesefest #Horror

Waxwork (1988) is one of the strangest anthology films I’ve ever seen. It begins as a horribly acted teen horror flick, then progresses into something good and unbelievably amazing, though the acting doesn’t improve. It’s weird. I don’t remember Zach Galligan’s acting skills to be so bad in Gremlins. It’s also a remake of sorts of House of Wax (1953).

This movie’s cheesiness is super high, and the effects aren’t the worst I’ve seen. The ending fire is reminiscent of AIP, with it obviously not touching the building. If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned 80s horror that doesn’t require you to think, Waxwork is if the film for you. I give it 3.5 out of 5 Stars.

Waxwork is an OK remake of House of Wax. Click To Tweet

Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992) begins where the first ended with the super creepy hand (wait, is that Thing?) crawling away and our heroes escaping the evil world. Since I watched both films back-to-back, it’s obvious that they Sarah Brightman recast with Monika Schnarre taking the role from Deborah Foreman. I don’t think I’ve seen this one before, while I’ve seen the first several times.

The scene with the hand is total camp, though still creepy and gross. I love the iconic horror items in the hidden room, including Jason’s mask where Mark and Sarah search for proof of what happened at the Waxwork. I must say the acting is better in this one than the first, though not by much. But Bruce Campbell is in it, so that makes it better.

The horror movie reenactments are hysterical, totally like those my haunted house ones that make me laugh when I see them. The strangest one for me is the mix of Psycho (1960) and The Haunting (1963). My question, though, and I’m sure they’ll work it out, is how are they going to get Sarah and Mark back together?

Because of the mind-numbing silliness of Waxwork II, I only give it 3 out of 5 Stars.