Sequel to "Waxwork" picks up where the first film left off, and has Sarah (Monika Schnarre, taking over the role from Deborah Foreman) going home to her stepfather (George "Buck" Flower), who is killed by the severed hand we saw escaping at the end of "Waxwork". Of course nobody believes her outlandish story so she's put on trial for murder. She and Mark (Zach Galligan) realize that in order to clear her they have to travel through alternate realities to obtain some sort of evidence. Among the scenarios, and stories referenced, are the "Alien" films, "Frankenstein", and "The Haunting", until Sarah and Mark end up in medieval England doing battle with a dastardly black magic practitioner named Scarabis (Alexander Godunov). A number of familiar faces are to be seen in the cast: Martin Kemp, Bruce Campbell (who's very funny as always), Jim Metzler, John Ireland, Michael Des Barres, Marina Sirtis, Juliet Mills, Patrick Macnee, David Carradine, and Maxwell Caulfield, with Drew Barrymore seen very fleetingly as a vampire's victim. The main problem with this sequel, as far as this reviewer can see, is that the pacing is off at times, with the movie getting too dull; it just doesn't have a sense of "hurry up and go". In the end, it's just not as much fun as I would have liked, and is played a little too straight too much of the time (the sequence with Campbell as paranormal researcher John Loftmore is a refreshing exception). That said, it still displays a likable amount of imagination, enough effective atmosphere and period recreation, and does ultimately build up to an amusing finale where Galligan and Godunov battle their way through a number of scenes, including nods to "Nosferatu" and "Dawn of the Dead". The cast makes this pleasant enough to watch, with everybody giving a game effort. (Writer / director Anthony Hickox also appears on screen as the king's officer.) Schnarre is an appealing Sarah, even if she won't make anybody forget Deborah Foreman. Bob Keen's effects are nicely done; visually, the movie is strong, with nice costumes and sets. There are some amusing bits of gory business, as well. "Waxwork II: Lost in Time" is entertaining enough, but could and should have been better. At least it does have its moments along the way. Six out of 10.
Review of Waxwork II: Lost in Time
