Guest Author - Andy Boxall

Director: Chuck Parello
Starring: Neil Giuntoli, Rich Komenich, Kate Walsh, Carri Levinson and Daniel Allar
Dark Sky Films, Region 0
Released 28th September 2006

John McNaughton’s Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a horror masterpiece; shockingly effective, superbly acted and filmed in such a dirty way, it left the viewer feeling assaulted after the credits rolled. Part 2, whilst not quite such an accomplishment, is still a gritty, grimy and absorbing movie and is at its best when not judged against McNaughton’s film.

Henry (this time played by Neil Giuntoli) drifts between towns, staying in shelters and hostels before landing a job at a port-a-loo company. His employers, Kai and his wife Cricket, offer Henry a room at their house which they share with Cricket’s emotionally unstable cousin Louisa. Soon Henry becomes Kai’s assistant in his other line of work, that of professional arson. Kai teaches Henry the ropes and in return, Henry initiates Kai into his own criminal pastime.

The dynamic of Part 2 is similar to the first, with Henry being a lost soul, filled with inner-turnoil that is vented in acts of extreme and motiveless violence, taken in by members of society who skirt the edges of the law. Kai, although still a criminal, is no killer but is easily led along Henry’s path, making him perhaps an even sadder character than Henry himself. Cricket is similar to Becky, trying to keep her life on a steady track and maintaining the semblance of normality within her disturbed family unit.

Neil Giuntoli makes a fine Henry with his subdued manner, quiet voice and sharp eyes filled with menace at the right moments; however he doesn’t have the physical presence of Michael Rooker which actually works in making him frightening in a subtly different way. Kai is well played by Rich Komenich and he bonds nicely with Kate Walsh’s Cricket. The real gem come in the form of man-mountain Daniel Allar, whose portrayal of Kai’s arson boss Rooter is spot on and a joy to watch. The only acting disappointment is Carri Levinson, who seems very self conscious in the role of fragile Lousia. Her performance is not helped by the fact that her character comes across as being a mere plot device.

Part 2’s nasty feel is evident from the opening montage of some of Henry’s previous victims (a la the original) and a short but horrible rape at Henry’s choice of shelter. The foulness continues throughout, even down to the fact that all of the main players work with toilets. Although at first the viewer is isolated from Henry’s murders, as the film progresses we get closer and closer to his deeds, with the gore increasing too. In the same way that Kai is entering Henry’s world, we are too, and it is very effective at keeping the pressure and intensity of the movie moving along.

The Disc

The already available DVD editions of this movie usually have the subtitle ‘Mask of Sanity’ added, but this has been dropped on this new Dark Sky release. This is not the only difference between the old releases either. Firstly, we now get to see the movie not in a 4:3 format, but in the original 1.85:1 anamorphic format the film deserves. Although some artifacting seems to be present occasionally, it is an impressive print too.

Secondly is the re-insertion of previously cut gore footage. Previous versions ran at just over 83 minutes with sequences cut out to obtain an R rating in the USA. The sequences have been replaced and the gore increased along with a total 85 minute runtime. The movie certainly gets more bloody as it moves along, but is never over the top and I suspect the cuts were a knee-jerk reaction to the provocative title.

Sound is available in 2.0 stereo or a 5.1 surround track, which pleasantly fills the rear speakers with music and the odd ambient effect. Bass response is also good, with punches landing with a resounding thud and the various fire-effects sounding good too. Interestingly, although only a stereo recording, the short featurette (H2: The Making of a Madman) also sounds very spacious! Running at less than 15 minutes, this feature is a one-watch piece that is average rather than spectacular. A 30 minute collection of deleted scenes is much more watchable though and almost 50% of the scenes could be added back into the movie without any problem. Also on the disc are trailers and a photo gallery.

Finally we have another feature different to the old releases, that of a commentary with writer/director Chuck Parello. Joined by moderator David Gregory and recorded in 2004, it is a pleasant listen with Chuck sounding very proud of his movie and praising ever actor on screen. Chuck was involved with the problematic release of McNaughton’s film, so obviously has a personal connection with the material and this shows, not only in his spoken words, but in his script and handling of the movie itself.

Conclusion

Clocking in at only 85 minutes including credits, Henry Part 2 is a taught thriller that has few moments that are superfluous to the plot, the violence and gore amplify as you the watcher become voyeuristically involved in Henry and Kai’s crimes and the dirty locations add considerable feeling to the story. Only let down at the last moment by a slightly predictable and flaccid finale, Henry’s is a life worth visiting again and best of all, this time in its entirety.