Cult of Chucky (2017)
Directed by Don Mancini
Hell, I’ve seen all the other ones, might as well watch this one, right? Anyone whom has read my reviews in the past, knows how the original Child’s Play impacted my relationship with horror movies. It was one of the first horror movies I ever saw, and I saw it at a very young age, thus giving me nightmares for years. The franchise has grown greatly and this is the seventh movie in the series. Seven movies revolving around a killer doll, it’s kind of funny if you think of it. After Bride of Chucky the series took a more comedic approach, and really it was kind of the best decision because it is rather difficult to make a killer doll threatening without being comical. Cult of Chucky sort of follows that approach. Chucky is his wise cracking self, complete with one liners and foul language.
The movie continues what happened in Curse of Chucky the prior film. There may be some mild spoilers following so just a warning SPOILER WARNING! We see Andy Barclay is now living with the severed head of “stitch” Chucky. He tortures the head from time to time and yeah, its sadistic but I mean the dude has put up with a lot of shit from this damn doll so I don’t blame him. At the same time, we get the continuation of the Nica character, now in a mental institution and being blamed for the murders. It makes me laugh that after 6 movies where Chucky kills tons of people that they still don’t know it’s the damn doll, seriously people! Nica gets transferred to a minimum-security ward and we are introduced to the other random characters, none are really that important. The doctor brings in another Good Guy Doll because he wants Nica to work with him and help her cope with her fear of Chucky. The instant the doll is introduced shit starts hitting the fan. Surprised? Yeah, I wasn’t either. Obviously, the doll is Chucky, and he starts doing Chucky things. He kills the crazy old bat in the psych ward but makes it look like a suicide. Another patient thinks Chucky is her baby and she carries him everywhere. I know what you’re thinking…doesn’t Andy have Chucky? Yes, yes, he does. So how can this other doll be Chucky? Well there are two Chuckies, for now.
Tiffany stops by and drops off something, yeah, another fucking Chucky doll. So that makes three Chuckies, for now. Each doll has different traits. You have Stitch Chucky at Andy’s place that is just a head. Then there’s what I called “Pristine” Chucky, because he is in mint condition, this Chucky is the one Tiffany drops off. Then we have what I called “CURE of Chucky” because for whatever reason his hair looks like Robert Smith’s, the singer from the Cure. I’m not going to give too much detail to the rest of the story, but Andy hears of the happenings at the ward, obviously he KNOWS its Chucky because dammit he has to deal with that bitch every damn time. Andy goes to the ward and brings something with him…yeah its another damn doll. My lord four Chucky dolls. FOUR! This Chucky has its hair cut down, so he’ll be Butch Chucky. Well by the title you can guess that Chucky is cult now. Confused? Yeah watching the movie doesn’t give much clarity either. Ok enough of giving the story, in case you want to watch this.
The acting is pretty good surprisingly. I was kind of shocked to be honest. Alex Vincent is no Tom Hanks but you can tell his character of Andy is damaged. Fiona Dourif plays Nica again and she’s actually quite good, she covers a wide array of emotions and personalities. Some of the supporting characters are cliché and dull but you come to expect that in these movies. Brad Dourif voices all the Chucky dolls, obviously I mean you can’t have Chucky without Dourif. Jennifer Tilly is really starting to age, jeesh and her acting is as “great” as ever.
The effects are pretty good, less CGI and more practical which is always appreciated. The CGI that is in the movie is done well and fits seamlessly. The Chucky dolls though? Yeah, they look odd, I miss the original Chucky. The new ones have huge eyes and have kind of derp faces. I miss the way Chucky was a toddler dressed up like the doll for full body and running scenes. In this movie the walking scenes are the doll legs and it looks bad, I laughed out loud a few times when they showed it. You get CGI Chucky towards the end and it made me a little sad. Doesn’t look bad but man it was a sad sight. The kills are gruesome and gory, so it should satisfy the need for blood.
For being the seventh movie in a franchise about a killer doll, it isn’t really that bad. Is it good? Meh, not really but it is miles better than Seed of Chucky. This might be the most confusing Chucky movie and I found myself saying “I have no idea what the fuck is going on” multiple times. I can say that I watched this movie, I have seen all of the Chucky movies. Now will I watch this again? No, that’s a definite answer. Would I recommend this movie to people? Well if you have seen the others, then just watch it, but if you haven’t then steer clear, watch the first one. I would have to grade this movie a D. Like I said it isn’t the worst Chucky movie but it is confusing as hell and kind of dull. Before I finish this I have to say that I don’t care if this Chucky’s new, Curse was confusing and this was too, Robert Smith loves Chucky’s new do, its Friday I’m in love.
