Child's Play

If 2019's Child's Play was an original movie and not building on something that has been around for quite a while, plus there had not been a sequel in the original franchise two years ago, I would have probably given the movie a better rating because it manages to be entertaining and slightly creepy, although I think the original Child's Play is better at this. However, simply the fact that it is a remake makes me not take it that seriously. (10/11/2019)

My expectations were rather lukewarm for this movie. However, it is not just a rip-off of the original. Surprisingly, the new Child's Play succeeded as a very good and tremendously entertaining movie, with a new, modern take on the iconic murderous doll. The biggest advantage? It has what the original trilogy desperately lacked - a conspicuous sense of humor. In addition, the main characters are so likeable, you want them to stay alive for the sequel, and yes, I would definitely like to see one. It has a few flaws in its perfection, that we could forgive the makers for (the ominous glowing of Chucky's eyes seemed to me to be a pretty tacky and useless gimmick). However, in the end, it is simply an escapist comedy horror movie that is refreshing, well cast, surprisingly very funny and just cool in every way. (09/12/2019)

It would be naïve to want something from a remake of Child’s Play today. The 1980s, which sustained a similar theme, are long gone. However, the fact that this didn’t turn out to be an outright disaster deserves praise. The upgrade of the theme with the doll’s connection via a mobile telephone and the misuse of artificial intelligence hits the mark in our current era and despite the fact that Chucky’s sorcery goes beyond all limits of technological logic in later scenes, it works effectively. It’s not possible to see this as a horror movie (unless you’re eight), which the film itself is aware of, and even its cruelest scene is lightened up with ironic humor. The visage of Chucky with glowing red eyes (when he’s being evil) is cool, and his gradual descent into violence is depicted well. These are the movie’s best passages. Conversely, the “spectacular” climax, which is supposed to give the original, more intimate plot development a good kick, hinders the movie with hackneyed and not very imaginative moments. The screenwriter should have given it more time to crystalize in his mind. (01/05/2022)

I liked the idea that admiring "fun" violence can very easily lead to real violence, if the man or the redheaded doll lacks discernment and if he skips over it for certain reasons. The new Child's Play delighted me with this, as much as with its more careful (by the standards of a horror movie about a murderous toy, that is, of course) portrayal of children (yes, there are a few of them, and that's a good thing) and adults, or its grand finale, which could easily have been bigger. On the plus side, I'd like to add Bear McCreary's score, which I thought was just fantastic – it practically keeps playing with the Buddy toy tune, also composed by McCreary, and it's very entertaining. Like the whole film. It's on a par with the original Child's Play. (07/27/2019)

Honestly, I don't remember the original Child's Play well enough to make a detailed comparison. But from the fragments I recall, I'd say the creators did a good job with this new, looser adaptation, while incorporating elements of modern times, which deserves a thumbs up (this added a bit more variety to the target audience and even the youngest viewers will find something relevant with all the technology). I missed the trailers, but I noticed the film's premiere, and as I looked into more details, I became more and more excited as the release date approached. I consider Mark Hamill's involvement a masterstroke... anyone familiar with the "Batman" game series knows that his voice work as the manic Joker significantly added to the madness. The same applies to the Chucky doll. In the intense moments that surely appear in this modern take on the murderous doll, the film provides a nicely chilling atmosphere. Regarding the story, the new Child's Play is quite morbid at times and doesn’t hold back on blood or vulgarities. However, for most of its runtime, the film balances between drama and comedy, with plenty of dark humor (the scene with the head wrapped in wrapping paper is a prime example). I ended up enjoying this style. Don’t take it too seriously, and you'll have a good time. I give it 70%. (07/29/2019)