Post by tom3p0 on Sept 24, 2013 13:43:22 GMT -12
Well, let me start off by saying how exciting it is to be able to experience another film in the Child's Play franchise! I remember growing up with, as I call them, the Four Horsemen: Jason, Michael, Freddy, and Chucky. Without a doubt I was most afraid of Chucky, just the sight of a doll would always put me on edge after watching Child's Play. I've been following this site with much anticipation over the last few months, reading as much as I could about this new film has become somewhat of a hobby of mine. So, imagine my excitement this morning when I was able to watch Curse of Chucky after waiting all this time! I went in without holding any reservations. I blocked out all that I knew of the film and watched it with a clean slate. This review is based solely on my own opinion and in no way reflects or implies anyone elses opinion.
Right from the first scene of the US-X van driving on the street, I knew that this film was going to have a different "feel" to it. Just the way the camera shots portrayed the van pulling up to the house, I had a sense that this film was going to have a more "updated" style to it. The chills began to sit in as the opening credits rolled in and the camera panned 360 around Chucky as the events of the night before were being worked on by the police. I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic about this scene and how it reminded me of the police investigating Karen Barclays apartment when Maggie was killed. As the movie progressed and all the characters were introduced, I could see the cliches about the nanny and the husband having a "thing" together, and thought it brought a little "campyness" to the tone. I kind of felt some of the scenes leading into the dinner sequence were a little drawn out, but it did not take away from the suspense at all. I watched the close up of the bowl of chili thinking to myself "Who is going to get that bowl?" and playing it out in my head of everyone who may have eaten it. As the film progressed I was on edge for some scenes, and others just waiting for something to happen. Without a doubt the scariest scene for me was when Nica and Chucky were riding in the elevator and when the power came back on Chucky's head spun around and started laughing, I literally jumped back a little and gasped. It was delightful to have that experience again with this franchise. The suspense was a little lacking toward the middle of the movie, but it all lead up to a roller coaster of events that I felt were shot wonderfully. The CGI for Chucky walking down the stairs from the attic were less than I expected, it left a lot to be desired. I was dissapointed again to not see a famous death scene for Chucky and was rather puzzled as to how the movie seemed to end. After the credits I was full of high hopes as the bonus scene began, but was extremely let down when the scene cut to black for the second time. That's it? That was the "nod" to the older fans? With it being such a loooong time since Chucky and Andy have seen eachother I was hoping for some more...or even ANY dialouge other than "ANDY!!?" and then lights out. I was dreaming of them catching up, so to speak, and THEN the shotgun comes out. But, like I said in the intro, just having the experience to watch a NEW Chucky movie alone is something that I will treasure, so I wouldn't be lying if I said I disliked the movie. More of just, having higher than high expectations.
Now, onto the nitty gritty.
There were A LOT of plot holes and inconsitancies that I noticed during and after the movie finished and I had time to think about them.
His "favorite" family?
- Chucky said that out of all the families he's terrorized that Nica's was his favorite? How so? We've been with Andy for the first three films, and with this being the sixth movie, were just now learning of them? Andy accounts for HALF of the films that Chucky spent trying to get to, not ONCE during the total five movies have we had mention of Barb, Nica, or anyone else for that matter.
Scars? Bloody eye socket? But no blood???
- This was noticeable, painfully at that. I don't get how Chucky has the visible scars, with the bloody eye socket, yet he gets stabbed and its just stuffing? Even when his head was knocked off, no blood at all! I would think that during the time he spent in the good guy doll's body, getting mailed and picking off the family members, he would have been more than halfway human.
What about Eddie!?
- Not once did Eddie Caputo(sp?) get mentioned??? He was the getaway driver for Charles Lee Ray in the opening sequence, the same one shown in Curse, of Child's Play. I don't see how him eluding the cops during the flashback fits in with how the opening to Child's Play was set up. It just doesn't add up.
Tiffany or Jennifer?
- In the beginning of Bride of Chucky, Tiffany tries to ressurect Chucky after stitching him up and at first, believes that she had failed. If this was AFTER Seed of Chucky, then wouldn't she be Tiff in Jennifer Tilly's body? If it was inbetween Bride and Seed, and I don't know how, then she would be a doll still. It couldn't be set BEFORE Bride because of the reminiscing Tiff and Chucky did after Chucky's ressurection in Bride, right? There are plenty more to this question alone, but the one that boggles my mind is that Jennifer Tilly is credited as Tiffany. I don't understand and my head hurts haha.
6 months later?
- At the end of the film BEFORE credits, we see Chucky performing the chant, and then the grandma jolts up. Did he complete the chant and successfully transform his soul? I don't think so. Because 6 months later he is sent to Andy. BUT if the after-credits scene was just a "nod" and not really a true part of the story, then does that mean that the next installment, Chucky's going to be a little girl?
Back to Scars
- In the attic scene with Barb, when she turns and comes face to face with Chucky, she notices that his latex is bubbling. Why all of a sudden, after all the Good Guy doll talking Chucky did, does the latex pieces begin to deform? I would speculate, but at this point, it is what it is.
I loved this movie, don't get me wrong and I am grateful that Don Mancini even made another film about the little red headed killer doll, but I don't believe that because of the budget and the fact that it is a direct to dvd, that the story should have suffered as much as it did in terms of continuity and plot holes regarding the previous films. I don't know the first thing about film making, or whether licensing issues or rights to the older movies were a factor, so it may have nothing to do with it being "rushed", but more of it just being about Don doing the best with what he was able to work with/without?
All in all, I'd give this movie a solid 8 out of 10.
With one point taken away for the effects, I would prefer the older technology and puppeteers than CGI to give a realistic effect.
Another point taken away for the number of inconsistencies and plot holes I think were there.
Wrap up:
If you've grown up with Chucky or have the pleasure of this being your first encounter with your new friend till the end, I think this film will satisfy on different levels. No regrets about buying it, can't wait to have the physical copy to add to my library. Die-hard Chuckyholics might have a few, or more, gripes with this film, but at the end of the day...it's A NEW CHUCKY MOVIE! Don't see those come around too often!!!
Thank you for your time, hope you were all as excited as I was when I hit the play button!
- Thom
Right from the first scene of the US-X van driving on the street, I knew that this film was going to have a different "feel" to it. Just the way the camera shots portrayed the van pulling up to the house, I had a sense that this film was going to have a more "updated" style to it. The chills began to sit in as the opening credits rolled in and the camera panned 360 around Chucky as the events of the night before were being worked on by the police. I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic about this scene and how it reminded me of the police investigating Karen Barclays apartment when Maggie was killed. As the movie progressed and all the characters were introduced, I could see the cliches about the nanny and the husband having a "thing" together, and thought it brought a little "campyness" to the tone. I kind of felt some of the scenes leading into the dinner sequence were a little drawn out, but it did not take away from the suspense at all. I watched the close up of the bowl of chili thinking to myself "Who is going to get that bowl?" and playing it out in my head of everyone who may have eaten it. As the film progressed I was on edge for some scenes, and others just waiting for something to happen. Without a doubt the scariest scene for me was when Nica and Chucky were riding in the elevator and when the power came back on Chucky's head spun around and started laughing, I literally jumped back a little and gasped. It was delightful to have that experience again with this franchise. The suspense was a little lacking toward the middle of the movie, but it all lead up to a roller coaster of events that I felt were shot wonderfully. The CGI for Chucky walking down the stairs from the attic were less than I expected, it left a lot to be desired. I was dissapointed again to not see a famous death scene for Chucky and was rather puzzled as to how the movie seemed to end. After the credits I was full of high hopes as the bonus scene began, but was extremely let down when the scene cut to black for the second time. That's it? That was the "nod" to the older fans? With it being such a loooong time since Chucky and Andy have seen eachother I was hoping for some more...or even ANY dialouge other than "ANDY!!?" and then lights out. I was dreaming of them catching up, so to speak, and THEN the shotgun comes out. But, like I said in the intro, just having the experience to watch a NEW Chucky movie alone is something that I will treasure, so I wouldn't be lying if I said I disliked the movie. More of just, having higher than high expectations.
Now, onto the nitty gritty.
There were A LOT of plot holes and inconsitancies that I noticed during and after the movie finished and I had time to think about them.
His "favorite" family?
- Chucky said that out of all the families he's terrorized that Nica's was his favorite? How so? We've been with Andy for the first three films, and with this being the sixth movie, were just now learning of them? Andy accounts for HALF of the films that Chucky spent trying to get to, not ONCE during the total five movies have we had mention of Barb, Nica, or anyone else for that matter.
Scars? Bloody eye socket? But no blood???
- This was noticeable, painfully at that. I don't get how Chucky has the visible scars, with the bloody eye socket, yet he gets stabbed and its just stuffing? Even when his head was knocked off, no blood at all! I would think that during the time he spent in the good guy doll's body, getting mailed and picking off the family members, he would have been more than halfway human.
What about Eddie!?
- Not once did Eddie Caputo(sp?) get mentioned??? He was the getaway driver for Charles Lee Ray in the opening sequence, the same one shown in Curse, of Child's Play. I don't see how him eluding the cops during the flashback fits in with how the opening to Child's Play was set up. It just doesn't add up.
Tiffany or Jennifer?
- In the beginning of Bride of Chucky, Tiffany tries to ressurect Chucky after stitching him up and at first, believes that she had failed. If this was AFTER Seed of Chucky, then wouldn't she be Tiff in Jennifer Tilly's body? If it was inbetween Bride and Seed, and I don't know how, then she would be a doll still. It couldn't be set BEFORE Bride because of the reminiscing Tiff and Chucky did after Chucky's ressurection in Bride, right? There are plenty more to this question alone, but the one that boggles my mind is that Jennifer Tilly is credited as Tiffany. I don't understand and my head hurts haha.
6 months later?
- At the end of the film BEFORE credits, we see Chucky performing the chant, and then the grandma jolts up. Did he complete the chant and successfully transform his soul? I don't think so. Because 6 months later he is sent to Andy. BUT if the after-credits scene was just a "nod" and not really a true part of the story, then does that mean that the next installment, Chucky's going to be a little girl?
Back to Scars
- In the attic scene with Barb, when she turns and comes face to face with Chucky, she notices that his latex is bubbling. Why all of a sudden, after all the Good Guy doll talking Chucky did, does the latex pieces begin to deform? I would speculate, but at this point, it is what it is.
I loved this movie, don't get me wrong and I am grateful that Don Mancini even made another film about the little red headed killer doll, but I don't believe that because of the budget and the fact that it is a direct to dvd, that the story should have suffered as much as it did in terms of continuity and plot holes regarding the previous films. I don't know the first thing about film making, or whether licensing issues or rights to the older movies were a factor, so it may have nothing to do with it being "rushed", but more of it just being about Don doing the best with what he was able to work with/without?
All in all, I'd give this movie a solid 8 out of 10.
With one point taken away for the effects, I would prefer the older technology and puppeteers than CGI to give a realistic effect.
Another point taken away for the number of inconsistencies and plot holes I think were there.
Wrap up:
If you've grown up with Chucky or have the pleasure of this being your first encounter with your new friend till the end, I think this film will satisfy on different levels. No regrets about buying it, can't wait to have the physical copy to add to my library. Die-hard Chuckyholics might have a few, or more, gripes with this film, but at the end of the day...it's A NEW CHUCKY MOVIE! Don't see those come around too often!!!
Thank you for your time, hope you were all as excited as I was when I hit the play button!
- Thom
