According to fans, after the "Fall" (not) of Child's Play 3 and it's indirect controversy, the creators of the Chucky franchise decided to give the film series a rest until 1998, since they thought that CP3 was a big fail. I don't think its true but I wonder and ask myself this question. Not only about budget and Don Manici's disappointment for the film (saying it was his least favorite), but was it the harsh, indirect controversy towards the film that they decided to stop and then take Chucky away from his Horror roots, introducing him into Comedy??? Now don't get me wrong. I liked Bride of Chucky for what it was. I personally think it is a totally different viewing experience to the previous three which were darker, scarier and more suspenseful. This fourth entry in the series does a sort of rehash, mixing the horror, turning the film in a black comedic side, splitting time waster. I also don't think its a waste of time, but I do think that the film is not as intriguing as the first three. Like the two previous sequels however, I do think this film suffers from a few problems. Maybe even a few more than Child's Play 2 & 3.
I will go through some positives and negatives. There aren't many, but there are a few more than the other films.
Pros: The film's turn to black humor wasn't such a bad idea. Because of its campy style, Brad Dourif's excellent voice and the rest of the acting working well, as well as the use of campy songs and the composer (who did CP2) to come back and take on the job with the music score. All these little elements with some tense kills, catchy moments and quirky language made for a fun Chucky film. I found it to be a very different viewing experience from Child's Play 3, because that one was just totally dark. I like the scarier Chucky films better, but having Comedy and keeping some of that intense stuff occurring was a great achievement, which I thought would have fell apart by now.
Negatives: Despite the film being on an excellent level with Horror and Comedy, having great actors and excellent, and more bloodier kills, I think the film (like Child's Play 2 & 3) have a few problems. The transferring the soul concept is way out of hand, and it becomes much more messier. Using an amulet, silly, just silly! I thought that the climax of the graveyard scene was shot well, but I thought that at times it just dragged on for too long. I felt as if it just lagged too much. Lastly, (I know its a comedy/horror, and by this stage it wasn't going to be realistic!) I think that Chucky just isn't scary. Back in the first film, we didn't see him, so it built up the tension and suspense. It was better when he wasn't seen. Oh well, maybe I was just nitpicking there, but Chucky doesn't have as much charm I think like the original.
Still liking the film today, I think it is a good time water if you're feeling bored, and you are watching it alone or with friends. The plot is good enough for what its worth as the acting is paced well. The scenes are paced well (Unlike Seed of Chucky, which was a major blow). It is a good sequel, just not the greatest one.
7 Stitched Dolls outta 10.
I will go through some positives and negatives. There aren't many, but there are a few more than the other films.
Pros: The film's turn to black humor wasn't such a bad idea. Because of its campy style, Brad Dourif's excellent voice and the rest of the acting working well, as well as the use of campy songs and the composer (who did CP2) to come back and take on the job with the music score. All these little elements with some tense kills, catchy moments and quirky language made for a fun Chucky film. I found it to be a very different viewing experience from Child's Play 3, because that one was just totally dark. I like the scarier Chucky films better, but having Comedy and keeping some of that intense stuff occurring was a great achievement, which I thought would have fell apart by now.
Negatives: Despite the film being on an excellent level with Horror and Comedy, having great actors and excellent, and more bloodier kills, I think the film (like Child's Play 2 & 3) have a few problems. The transferring the soul concept is way out of hand, and it becomes much more messier. Using an amulet, silly, just silly! I thought that the climax of the graveyard scene was shot well, but I thought that at times it just dragged on for too long. I felt as if it just lagged too much. Lastly, (I know its a comedy/horror, and by this stage it wasn't going to be realistic!) I think that Chucky just isn't scary. Back in the first film, we didn't see him, so it built up the tension and suspense. It was better when he wasn't seen. Oh well, maybe I was just nitpicking there, but Chucky doesn't have as much charm I think like the original.
Still liking the film today, I think it is a good time water if you're feeling bored, and you are watching it alone or with friends. The plot is good enough for what its worth as the acting is paced well. The scenes are paced well (Unlike Seed of Chucky, which was a major blow). It is a good sequel, just not the greatest one.
7 Stitched Dolls outta 10.