Seed of Chucky

The latest installment in the “Chucky” horror series
finds the killer doll in Hollywood with his wife Tiffany, being tracked down by
their son who doesn’t enjoy violence, murder and mayhem half as much as his parents
so obviously still do. The loving family attempts to improve themselves as a
family unit, while real-life actress Jennifer Tilly and real-life actor/rapper
Redman, attempt to have sex in the meantime. Hollywood, lots of blood, some
T&A, murders, F-bombs and a short runtime…ensue.

I dig Chucky. I dig him as a character and no matter what you
think of the CHILD’S PLAY flicks, one of the reasons that you’re likely to
either enjoy or despise the films is Chucky, the character himself. I haven’t watched
his earlier incarnations in a while, but it seems to me like he’s gotten
more and more perverted, foul-mouthed and homicidal, as the series has
progressed. And I like that!! This is, after all, a horror series about a
doll…who kills. We’re not talking SOPHIE’S CHOICE here. And for what it is,
this latest installment delivers most of what you’d expect with pride, plenty of profanity-laced one-liners, blood-soaked murders, big-boobed stars and
moments of humor, spliced throughout. The film’s biggest problem? Well, there’s
no story, really. I mean, I don’t mind if a film doesn’t follow the standard
3-act specimen of most produced screenplays, but what exactly are we meant to be
following here? I really didn’t see where this movie was headed and even more
importantly, I didn’t really care. I know that a horror/comedy movie’s main
priority isn’t necessarily a congruent storyline, but this one seemed to have a really cool
premise with a new “baby doll” coming into play, as well as the
real-life of Hollywood (and actress Jennifer Tilly) meching with the fake world
of the killer dolls, but the filmmakers just didn’t seem to take much advantage
of that.

The sets were also abundantly obvious and it felt like the
entire thing was shot over a couple of weeks, using two or three stage sets. The
new “baby doll” was well voiced by Billy Boyd though, although I’m not sure
the whole Glen/Glenda thing was the way to go (any reference to infamous
director Ed Wood certainly can’t be a good omen to any film). There were also
lame bits including a subplot with a limo driver and a dated gag featuring
a Britney Spears look-a-like which simply didn’t need to be there. Granted, I
was never bored throughout the film, as many of Chucky’s zingers worked, and the
murders were beyond gory and bloody, but I think the film takes a step down from
BRIDE OF
CHUCKY, which seemed to have a greater energy, a more interesting
storyline, as well as more action and interest for the viewer. That said, I
still recommend that any real fan of the series check this film out in
theaters, since it does really deliver in the number of ways that you’d expect
(in fact, it even goes overboard on a number of bits), but if you’re expecting
an all-out solid horror/comedy, there’s no need to take 85 minutes out of your
schedule to see this one in theaters. Wait for video, buy yourself a Chucky
doll, get drunk and enjoy the tomfoolery displayed on screen. Seriously
though…don’t take this one too seriously and you might just enjoy most of it.
Oh and a big thank you to Mr. Don Mancini and everyone behind this film for finally
giving a horror/sci-fi flick the rating that it deserves: R!!