PUMPKINHEAD 4: BLOOD FEUD
(R)
MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *1/2 (out of 5)
STARRING
Rob Freeman as SHERIFF DALLAS POPE
Amy Manson as JODIE HATFIELD
Bradley Taylor as RICKY MCCOY
Richard Durden as OLD MAN HATFIELD
Lynne Verrall as HAGGIS
Claire Lams as DOLLY HATFIELD
Peter Barnes as PAPA MCCOY
Lance Henricksen as ED HARLEY
Directed by: Michael Hurst
Studio: Sony Pictures
BY KEVIN CARR
I actually was surprised to learn there were four “Pumpkinhead” movies. It’s not that odd, of course, in the world of direct-to-DVD sequels. After all, there are six “Leprechaun” films at last count. I’m just surprised that I missed “Pumpkinhead 3” and “Pumpkinhead 4.”
As far as fourth generation horror films released directly to DVD, “Pumpkinhead 4: Blood Feud” isn’t bad. It doesn’t live up to the quality of the original “Pumpkinhead” (which was only mildly impressive as pseudo classics go), but it’s not a complete waste of time for the horror fan.
This film follows two feuding families in the south (the not-so-subtle Hatfields and McCoys). When a young Hatfield girl and McCoy boy try to get together, the Hatfield brothers accidentally kill a McCoy sister. This prompts the McCoy lover to call on the evil revenge creature Pumpkinhead to wipe out the Hatfields. However, he soon learns that once the monster is summoned, it cannot be put to rest easily.
Like “Pumpkinhead” before it (and presumably the middle two films), “Pumpkinhead 4” is really a revenge story. Yes, the Hatfield/McCoy reference is a terrible device, and the southern hick stereotypes are a bit much, but it’s a decent monster film. There’s enough gore to keep the fans happy, and Lance Henricksen returns for a supporting role.
The film is okay for a rental, but the unfortunate lack of any special features makes it not worth it to purchase.