Frères de sang 3 : La Progéniture

Frank Henenlotter's feature film debut in Basket Case (1982) is certainly what he's best known for. While it was by no means a good looking film, it served its purpose in creating an underground horror icon. As bad as the film was. When Basket Case 2 (1990) was created, not only did it have better production quality, but it also had a concept worth getting behind. Sadly, the sequel fell short of this leaving ideas half-baked that could've progressed the story much further than the original could have realized. And just like that entry, the second sequel very much follows the same footsteps. As a rushed sequel, Henenlotter wasn't even happy with it...but it still has some credit to its name. This final film though proves it just wasn't a really good franchise.

Written and directed by Henenlotter for the third time, along with co-writing partner Robert Martin (Frankenhooker (1990)), this sequel picks up just like the last entry with recalling the events of Basket Case 2 (1990). After Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) kills Granny Ruth's (Annie Ross) daughter, Bradley has been in solitary confinement for several months. Only to be brought out to see that his brother Belial is going to be a father after mating with Eve (Denise Coop) the other lump of flesh living at Granny Ruth's. But in order to have a safe delivery, Granny Ruth wants everyone at Uncle Hal's (Dan Biggers) where he and Granny Ruth's son Little Hal (Jim O'Doherty) live. After Duane is freed from his cell, he escapes causing more damage.

It's interesting because as this series has progressed, Henenlotter has exposed just how much of a screw up Duane really is. Belial is no golden boy either, but at least he tries to settle down and live a normal life. This just shows how much little development Duane really gets in this franchise. Duane is the one who escalates other character viewpoints on certain situations retracting their development as well. When Duane escapes, he comes across the local sheriff (Gil Roper) and his daughter Opal (Tina Louise Hilbert), who he only entangles them into his issues too. But even then, things get strange between Duane and Opal where it goes from Opal seeming sane enough, only to have strange sexual desires. What is going on?

The more engaging characters viewers might want to see more of is Little Hal as he has the ability to make mechanical contraptions. Yet, he has very little screen time. Even Uncle Hal falls off the story not long after he's introduced. Much of the characters in general are just unlikable or are too strange to care for. Even Beverly Bonner returns (not as Casey from the last two films) as a cashier. The cast in general do their job, it's just the choices in direction of the story that don't really make sense. Visually, the film went all out on that. The gore may not be as abundant as the other two films, but when it's on screen it's still gruesome. This coincides with the practical effects used, which for 1991 looks good for its budget.

Cinematography was competently handled too, this time by Robert Paone. Starting his career as a second camera assistant in Saturday Night Fever (1977), Paone keeps the camera steady for what is shown, as well as hiding various elements that get revealed later. The film score was composed once again by Joe Renzetti and sadly it still doesn't get featured as much as it should. The music certainly fits the tone, having ethereal and strange sounding tracks, but it doesn't have recognizable traits making it hard to recall on its own. There are hints of melodic themes, but Renzetti doesn't utilize it enough. Thankfully there is a score to hear in case it was difficult to make out in the film itself.

As the final film in this franchise, Frank Henenlotter's trilogy about a deformed Siamese twin is average at best. The final entry is still better than the original, narrative wise, but not by a lot since much of script shoots itself in the foot before it even gets started. The visuals are fine and the actors do their okay, but there's still very little character development, they're not likable and the music is sorely unhighlighted.

After going crazy and stitching Belial back on himself at the end of the second film, Duane is now slapped into a straight jacket and kept in a room for months until he's better. After being released by Granny Ruth he founds out that Belial is going to be a father. So, Ruth organises a road trip with her family to the deep south to meet a doctor she knows that could actually help deliver the infants. Although, after the delivery a couple of officers kidnap Belial's babies, which makes Belial incredibly angry and causes the horrific fury we've come expect from him.

First off, a word of warning… it's not a film for the uninitiated of cheap and twisted cinema. Pretty much what we got here is a wayward freak show, which has a charmingly campy appeal. I had to pick up my jaw from the ground, as it's just off the rails! If you've seen the second one, you know what to expect, even if it does up the ante on the craziness this time around. The first film was a sleazy classick, the second wasn't too bad, but this outing I thought was somewhat of an improvement on the first sequel. Only fans of the Basket Case films and that of incredibly wild and cheesy B-films will get something out of it. Frank Henenlotter's "Basket Case 3: The Progeny" is just as cheap and crude, but far more adventurous, with cartoon-style violence and twists that go one step further. Everything and I mean everything is played for wicked laughs. You got the quirky sense of humour and offbeat dialogue, that provides one corny one liner after another. Shoddy looking makeup and cheap rubbery effects actually dazzle, because you seen nothing quite like it, with Belial and his buddies looking okay and at least have different types of personalities and distinguishable features. Plus there's plenty of moments that pop up out the blue, like a musical number and kinky sexual act. But it's those eye popping sequences of Belial's grisly and inventive attacks that just make it so hugely exciting, especially the film's climax, which was a real hoot.

One thing you definitely notice throughout the series, is that when it came to this film there was more of a focus on Granny Ruth and her family of "unique individuals". The brotherly love seemed more drifted, but when those two shared the screen that's when most of best moments occurred. The film definitely felt more childish, but still there was an underlying cruel and ghastly tone to proceedings and the story also has a message about accepting others as the way they are. Just to be open-minded, really. There's some nice homage's from other films too and a rather brisk pace keeps things going. Henenlotter even adds a recount of what happened at the end of the second film to just refresh your memory, but that ending I don't think is that hard to forget when your thinking of the Basket Case films. Surprisedly the enthusiastic acting gets better, but by not much. Kevin Van Hentenryck again fitted the role perfectly as the oddball Duane, even if his character's persona is all over shop. But again its Annie Ross, who steals all the scenes she's in as the determined Granny Ruth.

Stupid? You're right about that, but it's just hilariously demented fun and nothing more!

Basket Case volume 3 is a very redundant and pointless sequel that you should definitely avoid unless you're an avid fan of Frank Hennenlotter's deranged filming style. The original Basket Case (dating from 1982) was a genuine classic and a triumph for low-budget cinema that should be viewed by everyone who's mildly intrigued by the genre. The 1990 sequel already was a lot more light-headed and comical but yet it is interesting viewing because it reveals some unanswered questions gives some more background. There really was no reason to shoot another sequel, especially not because the premise has become pure slapstick. So I think this film was only made because Hennenlotter had fun with it and maybe for spoiling the true Belial fans with another treat! Well, I'm a true Belial fan and I had a lot of fun watching this piece of pure camp. This is a jolly bunch of nonsense, complete with over the top gore, absurd twists and insane characters. Belial's girlfriend (who he met in part 2) is about to give birth to his offspring and so the whole freakshow travels to Granny Ruth's befriended doctor who's specialized in these kinds of deliveries. Duane is slowly recovering from insanity, escapes and unwillingly makes the presence of the freak-collection public. When greedy police officers attempt to turn in Belial for the reward, our aggressive semi-person can start another repulsive series of murders. Basket Case 3 is a very tasteless film with absolutely no depth or value whatsoever. The make up effects are very grotesque (you should see some of these mutants) and you won't find this funny unless you have a wicked sense of humor yourself. Cool end sequence, though! So, as stated before, don't watch part 3 unless you really want to finish the trilogy. In case you're a vivid Hennenlotter admirer like myself… enjoy the (freak)show.

The third entry in this bizzare series sees the usual cast return, namely Annie Ross as Granny Ruth and Kevin VanHentenryck as Duane Bradley. This third and last installment in the series has more gore than BC2, is campier and more entertaining than BC2, has some memorable characters and lovable cops, and you get to see 12 of Belial's kids, or his "progeny"....It's also got an ending to remember. Highly recommended, this flick rests easy in my collection. 9/10

Rated 18s for strong horror violence and gore, language, sensuality and nudity

Frank Hennenlotter made the classic "Basket Case", a highly enjoyable film with two great heroes: Duane and Belial, Siamese twins (one normal, one deformed) getting revenge on the doctors who separated them. I really liked it, and really wanted to like it's two sequels. Unfortunately the sequels are totally unlike the first one, in tone and in content, although not without their own charm.

In "Basket Case 2" Duane and Belial joined up with a group of God-forsaken abnormalities that were more humorous than horrific. It might have been passable entertainment if the mutations were cool looking, but too many of them were cheap-looking and silly. Well, they all return for this one, and it's a mild improvement. Belial has fathered a dozen baby Belials who are promptly kidnapped by the local police, setting Belial off on another killing spree.

The best parts of this flick involve Duane. He spends the first half of the movie in a straight jacket, and I for some reason I found him hilarious and very likable. There's a great scene where Duane eats corn flakes while Belial kills a guy wearing leopard-print briefs. Other highlights include Belial in a robotic body and the patriarchal Granny Ruth singing "Personality" backed by the freaks.

The worst part has to be the scene where Belial's girlfriend Eve is giving birth and a new character called Little Hal is videotaping it. Someone must have thought this actor was hilarious and let him improvise the scene or something, because he gives an almost unwatchable "comic" performance. In fact, the weakest part of any Hennenlotter movie is when it tries too hard to be funny. The original "Basket Case" is funny in a dark way, and never resorts to silliness.

I also don't get why in one scene the freaks decide to become a part of society and then in the next scene invade a fast food restaurant and eat the customers' food off their trays. That's not the best way to win people's affection; I know, I've tried.

The "Basket Case" sequels have more in common with Hennenlotter's "Frankenhooker" than with his "Brain Damage", so if you liked the former then this flick is probably right up your alley (if you don't mind gore that's over-the-top and cartoony instead of realistic- I like either).