Child’s Play
Collector’s 4K Editions
review by Bobby Blakey
Ever since Chucky slashed his way onto the big screen in 1988s Child’s Play he has become a horror icon. The film spawned six sequels throughout the years as well as a TV series continuing the story currently on its second season. With all the Chucky wreaking havoic out there and the Halloween season upon us what better time to revisit the original trilogy that started it all with all three released on 4K for the first time from Scream Factory.
For anyone that was never terrorized by the good guy doll, the original film follows serial killer Charles Lee Ray who needed a quick escape from cop Mike Norris, so he took his soul and buried it into a playful, seemingly good guy doll Chucky. Little does he know a little boy by the name of Andy Barclay will be the new owner of him soon-to-come. Charles confides in Andy while he commits numerous murders, but once the adults accept Andy's story as truth, it's too late.
Child’s Play is one of those classic horror films that falls in line with the iconic killers of Freddy, Jason and Michael Myers. The almost silly nature made the film standout when it was released, but the well-handled direction and look of Chucky
himself made it work. Chucky has become a respected horror character that has stood the test of time and like most spawning numerous sequels. This original still holds up great offering all the fun and violence you remember now in a beautiful 4K hi-def transfer.
Child’s Play 2 follows Andy Barclay who has been placed in a foster home after the tragic events of the first film, since his mother was committed. In an attempt to save their reputation, the manufacturers of Chucky reconstruct the killer doll, to prove to the public that nothing was wrong with it in the first place. In doing so, they also bring the soul of serial killer Charles Lee Ray back to life. As Chucky tries to locate Andy, the body count rises. Will Andy be able to escape, or will Chucky succeed in possessing his body?
This sequel does a good job keeping the tone of the original while starting to infuse the comedic nature we have to come to expect from the franchise. With the new locale and evolution to Andy and his fears it made for a good follow-up that delivers all the fun kills we love. Chucky is always a good time and this sequel is a fun follow-up that did the good guy proud.
Child’s Play 3 follows eight years since the events in the second film, with Andy now a teenager who has been enrolled in a military school. Play Pals Toy Company decides to re-release its Good Guys line, feeling that after all this time, the bad publicity has died down. As they re-used old materials, the spirit of Charles Lee Ray once again comes to life. In his search for Andy, Chucky falls into the hands of a younger boy, and he realizes that it may be easier to transfer his soul into this unsuspecting child. Andy is the only one who knows what Chucky is up to, and it's now up to him to put a stop to it.
This entry into the series offers up more of the same things we love with the exception of recasting the role of Andy. This was due to the jumping timeline and quick turnaround of production. You can tell that this film was trying to do something fresh with the same formula, but the rushed timeline to get another sequel done really hindered the film. It did offer up the first CGI enhancement to
Chucky making him even more creepy and all around awesome. While this might be one of the weaker films in the franchise it is still loads of fun for Chucky mayhem.
There is something about these old horror films that hold up more than most films and Chucky is one of the best especially in glorious 4K. These new 4K versions really enhance the films to their proper beautiful bloody visuals. These Scream Factory™ releases features the all-new high-definition film transfers from their original camera negative as well as bonus features including interviews with writers, producers, and actors of the iconic and enduring horror franchise.
Grab your copy of Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3 on 4K for the first time ever available now from Shout Factory.
For more information head over to www.shoutfactory.com