Curse of Chucky DVD Review

Curse of Chucky
Director: Don Mancini
Starring: Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif, Danielle Bisutti, Maitland McConnell, Chantal Quesnelle 
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment 
Release Date: October 8, 2013
Retail: $29.98
ASIN: 0DTPRZ10
Running Time: 1hr 35mins. (Rated) 1 hr 37mins. (Unrated)
Rating: R/Unrated

Review:

It’s been twenty-five years since the living doll Chucky first freaked out audiences with the 1988's Child's Play, proving that a killer doll can be big at the box-office. Child's Play 2 & 3 followed in 1990 and 1991. Seven years later, Chucky would return in Bride of Chucky, bring the franchise into the horror-comedy genre. The franchise seemed to be over when the distasteful Seed of Chucky came out in 2004. Nine years later, the killer doll is back in the direct-to-video reboot sequel Curse of Chucky, which is written and directed by the series creator Don Mancin, marking the 25th anniversary of the series. Brad Dourif returns to voice Chucky, and with the help of makeup, lighting, and a black & white flashback, he also returns as Charles Lee Ray. Brad's own daughter, actress Fiona Dourif, stars as Nica.

Four years after the ending of Seed of Chucky, a mysterious package arrives at the house of Sarah and her paraplegic daughter, Nica. The package contained a Good Guy doll, which they both have no clue who could have sent it. An accident occurs and Sarah dies, leaving Nica alone in the big house that is until her older sister Barb arrives with her husband Ian, their daughter Alice and the nanny, Jill. With the help of Father Frank, Barb tries to convince Nica to sell the house, which she refuses to do.

Meanwhile, her young niece has become attached to the talking Good Guy doll that calls itself Chucky, while Nica plays an old home video for Barb, Ian and Jill, where Nica notices a strange man in the background of the video - a man who resembles the serial killer Charles Lee Ray.

When everyone turns in for the night, it is time for Chucky to play! The body count rises as Nica learns a long forgotten family secret - a secret that has brought Chucky into her home to finish a twenty-five-year-old vendetta.

Any horror fan will knows that direct-to-video sequels are horrible, just look like at the sequels to Children of the Corn, Wrong Turn and Hellraiser. Surprisingly, Cure of Chucky has broken the direct-to-video sequel curse, by dropping the comedy bit of the previous two films and returning to the original's straight up horror theme. You can clearly tell the movie was filmed on a low-budget due to the limited sets (most of the movie is inside one house), but it doesn't have the cheap direct-to-video feel, actually it looks and feels more like a feature film, which makes me wonder why Universal Studios didn't release it to theaters.

Chucky has an awkward look in Curse of Chucky, due to a new design and the use of CGI, which gives him more of a child's face; I actually thought it was creepy. Just like any horror film, there are a few plot hole, but I believe the director did this on purpose in case a seventh movie gets made. The flashbacks cleverly tie-in to the opening scenes of the original movie. The acting is really good considering this a horror film, especially with Fiona Dourif as Nica. The isolated house gives a frightening atmosphere throughout the film. There are several twists and turns I didn't see coming, with a cameo appearance by Jennifer Tilly. The uncut version is two minutes longer than the R-rated version and it has an additional post credit scene with the return of a character and actor from the first film, which sets up for a possible sequel.

Honestly, after Seed of Chucky nobody wanted another Chucky movie, even the rumored remake was in development hell, but thanks to Don Mancini, we finally get a superior sequel with decent scares that are comparable to the first two films. Overall, the Curse of Chucky is better than what I could ever expect from a direct-to-video sequel and it is a sequel the fans have been waiting for. I hope horror fans will give it a chance, so Universal Studios can greenlit a seventh installment and beyond.