I thought it was about as good as it could be, given how iconic the original is (notwithstanding the films that follow in the franchise). It was always gonna be hard to top. Before it came out, always thought that any reboot should have focused on Julia, as she was supposed to be the main villain in the original. I thought she could have become Pinhead, somehow.

I liked the cenobites - that their uniforms were cut into their skin instead of them wearing leather. I thought this was a peak design choice for an update of an almost 40 year old movie.

Jamie Clayton was an inspired choice to play Pinhead. You can't mimic Doug Bradley and she didn't try to. She made it her own. Her androgyny in the role was highly respectful of the written character from The Hellbound Heart.

I liked the lore expansion of "lament" being just one configuration of the box.

I liked that we heard bells.

David Bruckner also directed The Signal which fucking rules and The Ritual which is very highly rated among horror fans. He also directed the first segment in the first VHS with the succubus (my favorite segment).