Child's Play (2019)

"Child's Play" (2019, Lars Klevberg, Orion Pictures, KatzSmith Productions, BRON Creative) is a reboot of the original film with a different take on the story and character.

A disgruntled employee at the toy factory manufacturing the Buddi high-tech smart doll does a bit of reprogramming to remove the learning limiters and safety nets on the chip of the doll he's working on. The doll winds up in Chicago where single mum Karen (Aubrey Plaza) brings him home for her son, Andy (Gabriel Bateman), as a birthday present. As Karen and Andy have recently moved in, Andy is looking to meet kids his own age, and despite thinking the doll (Mark Hamill), who christens itself Chucky, is childish, he and it bond and eventually he meets some other kids in the building.

The doll learns from the world around it, however, but without the safety software in place Chucky begins to display some disturbing behaviour including murdering the family cat after it scratches Andy, and coming at the kids with a knife after seeing a serial killer movie on TV. Unfortunately, no one believes Andy's warnings and Chucky steps up his game dramatically before the adults begin to take note.

I'm a big fan of the original franchise, specifically the original film and, of course, "Bride..." and "Seed of Chucky" which are extremely good fun. Its difficult to separate this film from that franchise, but if you're able to the film itself is a fun ride, if not exactly flawless.

I felt Hamill's voice was underutilised and could have definitely been used more. The doll is pretty sympathetic, too. It's not evil, it's just doing what it's programmed to do from what it's been exposed to. Sure it does some vile stuff, but unlike the Charles Lee Ray we know from old, this Chucky is more of a chaotic character than a bad guy. The likelihood of a factory programming individual dolls is also pretty... sketchy. But I guess it has to glitch somehow.

The plot is more "Small Soldiers" than Chucky, but as a standalone film it was entertaining. The tone is a little odd; it doesn't seem to know what audience it's aiming for. The gore is pretty good and the acting is strong. The kids specifically give a great performance, and overall, I think if it had been its own thing, and not a reboot of a well-loved series, it would have likely been better received.

[Image: Orion Pictures]

Hani

Heidi

"Heidi" (2014, Daniel Ray, Neon Mirage, Wild Eye Releasing) is a found footage film about a haunted doll.

Two teenage YouTube pranksters find a doll in an old lady's attic and are then plagued by creepy happenings.

A found footage film which draws upon some elements of Chucky and other killer doll horrors. The idea is pretty good but the execution is mixed. But it's a low budget film, so I am inclined to be more forgiving. The build up, for instance, is pretty long winded and some of the supporting characters are not as well rounded as others, however, the main characters are pretty relatable and some of the scenes with the doll moving are pretty fun. The dolls scenes are made more effective by what they don't show. The film overall benefits from doing more with less.

At only 90 minutes the film isn't overly long, however there are scenes which felt a little drawn out. The main character also doesn't seem to get really freaked out until quite late on in the film resulting in a lot of late gore scenes. The film also goes over the same ground a few times with the doll coming back after being destroyed or disposed of over and over again. This did eventually become a little tedious.

"Heidi" has some good points, but overall loses its way and becomes a little unfocused towards the end.

[Image: Neon Mirage, et al]

Hani

Krampus

"Krampus" (2015, Michael Dougherty, Legendary Pictures, Zam Pictures) is a Christmas horror about St. Nicholas' demonic counterpart, Krampus.

Tom (Adam Scott), Sarah (Toni Collette) and their kids, Beth (Stefania LaVie Owen) and Max (Emjay Anthony) are preparing for Christmas at home with Tom's mother (Krista Stadler). Sarah's sister, Linda (Allison Tolman) also visits with her brash husband, Howard (David Koechner), their new baby and other, older, rude children, Stevie (Lolo Owen), Jordan (Queenie Samuel) and Howie Jr. (Maveick Flack). They also bring Sarah's disapproving, demanding aunt (Conchata Ferrell). As the night progresses, Max begins to feel that the Christmasses of his childhood are over and, in his anger, he unwittingly unleashes Krampus on his family...

The film starts out very much like any other non-horror Christmas movie. Then, the horror aspects are introduced with cheesy relish. The cast are good, the action is silly, but fun and the film delivers a good holiday horror that doesn't try to take itself very seriously. The result is a film which isn't especially scary, but manages to deliver a fun holiday romp which feels a little like "National Lampoons' Christmas Vacation" meets "The Demonic Toys", but with better production value.

Definitely one I'll be watching again.

[Image: Legendary Pictures]

Hani