There will be no spoilers in this review only love for the film.
First a brief synopsis
After her mother’s mysterious death, Nica begins to suspect that the talking, red-haired doll her visiting niece has been playing with may be the key to recent bloodshed and chaos.
After the disappointment of Seed of Chucky 2004 Chucky fans wanted a back to basics Child’s Play film. Ok I wanted a back to basics Child’s Play film, one not littered with bad jokes, without a story that takes the series as far away from the first 3 films as it possibly can and one without Glen/Glenda.
Being a low budget, straight to video release concerns arose with claims Hollywood had ran out of ideas and how about doing something original. I didn’t care. I was worried that the new film would be heavily reliant on CGI instead of animatronics and a guy in a suit for the killer doll.
I can happily state that there is very little CGI and it also doesn’t look like it only had a budget of an estimated $5 million. If Sharknado can be released in cinemas then this easily could’ve been too. It has a sharp script and mostly takes place in one location. This is like how horror films were made in the 80’s, low budget with creative filming. Something almost lost these days with film makers using visual effects (digital after effects) instead of special effects (on set make-up, mechanical and optical effects) to save money and attempt things out of their scope.
How does the doll look? As a doll fine but when Chucky takes over he doesn’t look so good, in fact it looks like Chucky’s a mess and maybe the low budget has had an effect on FX department but thankfully this is deliberate and is only for a short while so when the scarred Chucky takes centre stage there are no complaints. I even like his new haircut
Chucky is no longer the wise cracking always on screen joker he became in the last two films. He hides in the shadows, planning his next move waiting for the right moment to strike. Sure he has some one liners and they’re great but this Chucky is a darker scarier Chucky reflecting the more mature tone of this film.
Thank god.
It becomes a game of cat and mouse and although you don’t get the tension you would expect from a wheelchair bound woman struggling to escape it doesn’t matter as this film is so enjoyable to watch. Director Don Mancini has said this is his first real horror film as a director as he seen Seed of Chucky as more of a comedy.
Nicely linking itself back to the original I wouldn’t spend too much time over thinking this film. There are a few inconsistencies with the plot but this is about pure fan service so forgiveable. A few references to earlier films but it’s after the credits which is a must see for all Child’s Play fans. I won’t say what it is but you have to watch it.
The deaths are good even if few and the house is suitably creepy and large. Moves along at a nice pace with the film being over before you know it despite having the longest runtime of any Child’s Play film, always a sign of that you were entertained if you ask me. The actors do their job well with special mention going to Fiona Dourif as the wheelchair bound heroine dealing with an overbearing sister and possessed serial killer doll. She has to carry the film and does a good job.
The relationship between the Husband, his cold wife and the au pair seems to be running every cliché but offers a nice twist. Curse doesn’t seem to follow standard plot devices and is so refreshing for it.
I cannot recommend this film enough. Empty your head and take this at face value then be grateful you have the sequel to part 3 you always wanted.
Alice: He said life’s a bitch and then you die bleeding like a stuck pig!
Barb: Alice! You know it’s not nice to curse!
Alice: I didn’t curse mommy, Chucky did.
Directed by Don Mancini
Written by Don Mancini
Starring Fiona Dourif, Chantal Quesnelle and Brad Dourif