The fourth in the "Child's Play" series arrived
without press previews, but despite
that--some might even suggest because of
that--it had an opening weekend close to $12
million. While it's hard to imagine that the
patrons who helped push the per-screen
average north of $4,900 spend a lot of their
time discussing subtext or story arc,those who
did plunk down their admission price got a
thoroughly satisfying, blood-soaked, darkly
humorous entertainment which touches all
the expected genre bases, and a couple of
new ones.
What elevates "Bride of Chucky" from typical horror fare is the presence, and voice, of Jennifer Tilly. She does moll better than anyone around (q.v. "Bullets Over Broadway"), and here plays the girlfriend of the late Charles Lee Ray, the mass murderer whose persona has inhabited Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) this past decade.
In an effort to reunite with her toy boy, she kills the cop who is transporting the doll, stitches him back together and attempts to resurrect him with the help of a tome called "Voodoo for Dummies". Of course, the ungrateful little wretch can't resist killing her by dropping a TV set (playing "Bride of Frankenstein") into her bubble bath, with the intent of transporting her soul into a doll called Tiffany. The two pint-sized psychos must then trek from Canada to New Jersey so they can get an amulet which will allow them to occupy human bodies. How they do that and the mayhem they cause is the play, and scripter Don Mancini comes up with some novel ideas to move them along the road to Hackensack.
Hong Kong action director Ronny Yu helms with a deft touch, while sensibly not straying too far from the expected path. Still, the scene in which Tiffany offs a honeymoon couple using a waterbed, a ceiling mirror and a champagne bottle is destined to become a classic. The ending reverts to type, begging the question: Can "Son of Chucky" be far off? Starring Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile and John Ritter. Directed by Ronny Yu. Written by Don Mancini. Produced by David Kirschner and Grace Gilroy. A Universal release. Horror. Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, language, some sexual content and brief drug use. Running time: 88 min.
What elevates "Bride of Chucky" from typical horror fare is the presence, and voice, of Jennifer Tilly. She does moll better than anyone around (q.v. "Bullets Over Broadway"), and here plays the girlfriend of the late Charles Lee Ray, the mass murderer whose persona has inhabited Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) this past decade.
In an effort to reunite with her toy boy, she kills the cop who is transporting the doll, stitches him back together and attempts to resurrect him with the help of a tome called "Voodoo for Dummies". Of course, the ungrateful little wretch can't resist killing her by dropping a TV set (playing "Bride of Frankenstein") into her bubble bath, with the intent of transporting her soul into a doll called Tiffany. The two pint-sized psychos must then trek from Canada to New Jersey so they can get an amulet which will allow them to occupy human bodies. How they do that and the mayhem they cause is the play, and scripter Don Mancini comes up with some novel ideas to move them along the road to Hackensack.
Hong Kong action director Ronny Yu helms with a deft touch, while sensibly not straying too far from the expected path. Still, the scene in which Tiffany offs a honeymoon couple using a waterbed, a ceiling mirror and a champagne bottle is destined to become a classic. The ending reverts to type, begging the question: Can "Son of Chucky" be far off? Starring Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile and John Ritter. Directed by Ronny Yu. Written by Don Mancini. Produced by David Kirschner and Grace Gilroy. A Universal release. Horror. Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, language, some sexual content and brief drug use. Running time: 88 min.
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