Many of the
horror icons from the 1980s have returned to the big screen in recent years,
though all have been reincarnations of the infamous monsters rather than a
continuation. Jason returned with a steroid-affected physique, Freddy lost his
humor and replaced it with stronger emphasis on pedophilia, and Leatherface
became more sympathetic with several films giving us unnecessary back-story.
The one villain from the 1980s to remain the same is Chucky, from casting to
driving force and creator Don Mancini. The only thing that has changed over the
years is the amount of damage done to his plastic face.
Since Child’s Play brought the ginger doll to
life for the first time in 1988, creator Don Mancini has remained involved as
screenwriter, and more recently as director. Mancini’s career has consisted of
little other than Chucky, with nearly all screenwriting credits belonging to
the demonic doll. It wasn’t until the last film, Seed of Chucky, that Mancini made his directorial debut. Curse of Chucky is his second film as a
director, and though he still shows an inability to retrieve believable
performances from any of his breathing actors, it is actually the screenwriting
and a lack of Chucky’s personality which drags this latest sequel into forgettable
territory.
The other
remaining element from the franchise’s origins is the voice of Chucky, Brad
Dourif, though not in the same manner as fans of the franchise may be
accustomed to. Gone are the wisecracking one-liners, instead replaced with a
more silent Chucky and an emphasis on thrills and chills over laughter and
camp. It almost feels like a throwback to the simplicity of the first film,
though without the same amount of fun. Emphasis is on the deaths, which are
very precisely carried out in terms of filmmaking, though too few and far apart
to save the film. Curse of Chucky is
a polished looking film, obviously created by some talented tradesmen, though
lacking in any narrative creativity or engaging performances. In short, this is
a bit too safe and predictable for a horror movie, even when it does deliver
the gore.
The plot is set
up to take place entirely in one location, no doubt helping in lowering the
cost of production and helping create the film’s strong visuals from director
of photography Michael Marshall. A package arrives as a gift to the home of
Nica (Fiona Dourif), whose mother soon mysteriously dies. The package has a
Chucky doll, which has a specific reason for visiting the particular house
which makes the casting choice even more on-the-nose.
Exclusive to the
Blu-ray release of Curse of Chucky is a featurette on the effects behind
Chucky’s animation, and another on the legacy of the film monster. The Blu-ray
also has a storyboard comparison, which further explains the precision in
Mancini’s filmmaking. Also included in the features, including the DVD copy,
are deleted scenes and a gag reel. There is also a making-of featurette and a
commentary track with Mancini, Fiona Dourif, and puppeteer Tony Gardner.
Entertainment Value:
6/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Disc Features: 8/10
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