Waxwork II: Lost in Time

Waxwork II: Lost in Time is a supernatural, comic horror film and the sequel to the 1988 movie Waxwork. The 1992 film brings back actors Zach Galligan, Deborah Foreman, and Patrick Macnee, among others. Galligan resumes his starring role as Mark Loftmore. This ambitious sequel is also joined by Monika Schnarre and Martin Kemp, adding further depth to the cast.

The story picks up from where the original film ended and follows Mark and his girlfriend Sarah (portrayed by Monika Schnarre replacing Deborah Foreman) as they embark on a time-traveling adventure to vindicate Sarah in a murder case involving the severed hand of a waxwork exhibit villain. Having slipped through the dimensional doorways of various classic horror films in the first part, the characters this time step into the alternate realities of many different film genres.

Anthony Hickox, the director, wonderfully uses the horror genre as a vehicle for this adventurous journey, spontaneously transporting the characters - and the viewers - from black and white noir-themed sets to medieval times, and futuristic settings. During their time-traveling adventure, they are faced with several bizarre scenarios adapted from popular science-fiction, alien invasion, and even haunted house films.

Zach Galligan does a good job in his reprised role as Mark Loftmore. A proactive protagonist ready to face every outlandish being the film throws at him. He navigates his way through these parallel universes with a sense-of-urgency and determination, determined to save Sarah and clear her name.

Monika Schnarre as Sarah does justice to her character. She perfectly embodies a damsel-in-distress, who also doesn’t hesitate to take matters into her own hands when the situation calls for it. Martin Kemp, however, in his minor but significant role, brings a darker, more menacing tone to the film.

The film's production design and special effects are commendable. The various universes - whether a vampire-infested medieval theme or an eerie, alien-controlled future setting - are meticulously constructed. The makeup, prosthetic, and CGI effects are impressive, transporting viewers into each alternate reality with convincing authenticity.

A special mention must be made for the film's humor. Waxwork II: Lost in Time does not take itself too seriously. Like its predecessor, the movie maintains a lighthearted sense of humor throughout its run time. The film cleverly chooses to parody, rather than pay homage to, the multiple genres it dips its toes in. And it does this with a knowing wink, consciously maintaining a tongue-in-cheek tone, rendering it partly parody and partly horror-comedy.

The soundtrack provides ample support to this genre-blending adventure, oscillating between orchestral music for the medieval epochs to synthesizer music for the futuristic sequences. The sound design subtly complements the visual aesthetic, thereby enriching the overall viewing experience.

Although the movie is primarily a comedic horror, it cleverly satirizes different film tropes from different times, making it a commentary on the predictability of these genres. The underlying message seems to be an exploration of the nature of reality versus fiction. In its whimsical journey through time and genre, the film questions the nature of narrative structures and character tropes that have become diasporic across different periods and forms of cinema.

Waxwork II: Lost in Time presents an unfolding spectral show that draws on various popular cultural references. While it may be recognized as a low-budget film, it makes up for its flaws with clever, inventive storytelling, and good performances that weave together an enjoyable horror-comedy. Fans of genre-blending films and the horror-comedy genre will appreciate this audacious and humorous cinematic journey through surrealist, parallel worlds.

To sum up, Waxwork II: Lost in Time is a fine specimen of cult cinema infused with a spirit of fun and adventurous exploration of genres. It's daring, comic, surreal, and just the right amount of horrifying to keep you entertained. This carnivalesque romp through time is worth a watch for those who appreciate horror flavored with humor and loaded with references from different film histories.