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Have an appreciation for horror, and that was one of two main reasons why 'Child's Play' was viewed in the first place. The other was, having been on a roll reviewing whole horror franchises recently, to see all of the 'Child's Play'/Chucky films featuring one of horror's most iconic villains Chucky the killer doll, wanting to see whether the character did deserve his horror icon status.
Chucky definitely does deserve this distinction and a case of the character being better than the films. The 'Child's Play'/Chucky films are very variable, with this first film being by far the best if not perhaps the most well known of the series. This is not nostalgia talking, all the films were seen recently although there had been the intent of seeing them for a long time, and they would have been seen earlier than this if music commitments and a long watch and review list allowed me to. Don't be fooled by the premise, sure the premise is intriguing but it did sound cheesy, goofy and reminiscent of a formula slasher film.
Actually what could and should have been a cheesy, goofy and formula slasher as the premise indicated turned out to be a hugely entertaining, surprisingly creative and genuinely scary film, important in introducing one to as said one of horror's most famous and iconic characters.
Not an awful lot wrong here surprisingly. Perhaps Alex Vincent tries a little too hard in places, though mostly he does a decent job considering his age.
But the only major fault is for me some of the pacing, with the first part of the film being on the sluggish side and one wishes that the point was gotten to earlier.
However, 'Child's Play' looks slick and suitably ominous, with terrific special effects that blend very well, look eerily life-like and move easily, while the music looms eerily. Tom Holland's panache-filled direction is one of 'Child's Play's' biggest strengths and one of the main reasons why the film avoids falling into all of the traps that it could have done and what instead elevated it into a greater level. The script is darkly witty and clever with one-liners that are smart, frighteningly sarcastic and entertainingly twisted. The reveal is not one to forget and likewise with the nightmarish climax.
Once 'Child's Play' gets going, it is non-stop entertainment value and atmospheric creepiness, with the attack scenes/kills and set pieces being creative and genuinely unsettling. Chucky is an unforgettable creation and one that the writers and effects team had a ball with (as well as Brad Dourif of course). The other characters were ones worth caring for and the acting is good from Catherine Hicks and Chris Sarandon. The biggest acting plus though is Dourif, the personification of malevolence.
In summary, lots of fun and scary. Definitely recommended. 8/10 Bethany Cox
8/10
