Review #98: Waxwork 2: Lost in Time (1992)

Cast/Notable Credits:
Anthony Hickox (Director): WaxWork

Zach Galligan (Mark): WaxWork

Monika Schnarre (Sarah): Warlock (1993), Turbulence 3 (2001), Beast Master T.V. series

Patrick Macnee (Sir Wilfred): WaxWork

Jim Metzler (Roger): 976-EVIL (1988), Children of the Corn 3 (1995)
Trailer:


Waxwork 1 Link:

Plot:

WaxWork 2 (WW2) picks up directly right after the first film. As the house burns down, a wax zombie hand escapes and follows Mark and Sarah. The zombie hand follows Sarah home and murders her stepfather in the night. Sarah walks in during the murder and throws the hand down the garbage disposal and kills it. Unfortunately the rest of the world thinks Sarah killed her stepfather.

At her trial, she tells them of the WaxWork and the zombie hand, and no one believes her, except Mark. Court is at recess for the day, and Sarah is out on bail (I guess). Mark convinces Sarah to go to the house of Sir Wilfred to find any evidence that might support her story. The search the house and come to a room with a film projector. They turn on the film and it's Sir Wilfred telling Mark that he has left him the estate and gave him a clue to finding the secret passage to the hidden room where he and Mark's grandfather has collected memorabilia from their journeys fighting evil.

Mark and Sarah finds the secret passage and all the artifacts including a compass that lets them time travel. Mark wants to go through time to try and find some evidence that will save Sarah from conviction. She agrees and they open a "time portal" to another that lands them in the time and house of Dr. Frankenstein. Sarah is the doc's girlfriend, and she doesn't remember anything. Mark is the butler and finally convinces her of what has happened. Mark steals Dr. Frankenstein's reanimation journal (to prove Sarah's innocence) and they both hop through another time portal.

They get separated and lost through time and jump through different portals and get sent through different time scenarios before ending up in a renaissance time period where Mark is captured and Sarah is set to be married to some dude (Scarabis) trying to overthrow the King of England.

Mark learns through the spirit of Sir Wilfred disguised as a crow, that they are in a parallel dimension called Cartagra. God and Satan battle out their plans for humanity in this world. Mark also learns that he is a "time warrior" who is destined to jump through portals and battle evil. Sir Wilfred the crow, frees Mark from his captivity and Mark then battles Scarabis through portals and dimensions of time (hint: about one for each of the wax exhibits from the first) to free Sarah. Mark defeats Scarabis and sends Sarah back to the real world (with some evidence)as he decides stay behind and continue his legacy.

Huh...

Huh...

Huh...

Well. That was an interesting movie. Definitely took it's goofiness from the first movie to the next level...or two...or three. To put it simple, it was complete nonsense. Matter of fact, I think I lost a few brain cells watching that. But at least it was enjoyable to watch. Not a terrific movie from a horror perspective, but it would make a fun drinking game movie. Take a shot every time Sarah enters a new dimension and forgets who she is. Take another from each classic horror monster.

WW2 lacks any horror movie type of feel, but does deliver in good ole' fashion fun. It has to be placed up in the ranks of "cult status" because it's along the lines of Army of Darkness. Which also featured Bruce Campbell. Bruce = God. Not in this film, but overall. If God had a jaw. A big jaw.

The story is bizarre, and hops all around. The "mini" stories/portals pretty much have no relevant barring on the film. It's like someone just wanted to have a haunted house scene and the director said, "Let's do it!" And the haunted house scene was like a bad episode of Ghost Hunters mixed with the Amityville Horror. Anchoring the story was Bruce and Counselor Troi from Star Trek: TNG.

One thing what I hated about this film, they re casted the role of Sarah. WTF? Out is Deborah Forman and in is Monika Schnarre (pictured right). Monika's a little easier on the eyes, but are you telling me that you couldn't get Deborah to take out of her busy movie making schedule to come back for this one? (All none of them!) Please. I hate recasts!

So Gremlin-boy is the "time warrior". We get to meet his grandfather in the film, who is none other than David Carradine (Kung Fu). Are you kidding me? Kung Fu man? Yep, patience young grasshopper. Carradine plays a mid-evil beggar and gives Mark a sword to help defeat Scarabis. Can't you picture Gremlin-boy as a "time warrior"? Galligan. Zach Galligan. I like my martinis shaken, not stirred.

Despite all of its goofiness and crapiness, you have to give this movie a pass on pure enjoyment alone. Nothing makes senses, but some how it all fits together well. Sure there are more movies out there that put more time and effort into making their film, but this one is proof that you don't need a multi-million dollar budget to make something that's gonna suck anyway.

Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on May 11, 1992 and went straight to video
-Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead), Marina Sirtis (Star Trek: TNG...pictured right), Drew Barrymore (Scream), David Carradine (Kung Fu) all had small roles