Trading in terror for humour, Seed of Chucky takes an over-the-top approach to the sexual inappropriateness, lowbrow guffaws and gashing violence typical of this series. Picture Troma Entertainment with a budget and you will get the right idea.
The story finds Tiffany (voiced by Jennifer Tilly) and Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) reuniting with their spawn on a Hollywood movie-set. Issues of gender identity and family values are explored (or is that exploited?) as the pintsized trio wreak havoc across tinsel town. Child's Play purists will be dismayed about the artistic liberties taken towards the series' rules (i.e., the repossession ceremony is noticeably less elaborate than in previous films), however the comically sinister antics of the demonic toys serve well to cloud such issues.
The laughs, albeit cheap at times, come quickly at first, and by including Jennifer Tilly and Redman as themselves, with John Waters as a seedy reporter, Mancini facilitates an endless amount of pop culture satire and self-reference. But the comedic pace suffers as the initial absurdities in the film lose their shock value. A deficient level of editing also detracts from the believability of the story, though anyone looking for high levels of realism in a film about possessed dolls should consider looking into the concept of "suspended disbelief."
The controversial use of CGI over animatronics in the film is fortunately only slightly distracting and the dolls themselves, though not as cool looking as in Bride of Chucky, maintain an eerie level of life-like facial expressions. As far as gore is concerned, Seed treats us with a decapitation, disembowelment and other spicy deaths that force both smiles and cringes. Overall, Seed stands as an entertaining addition to the series. For those who enjoyed the twisted humour found in Bride of Chucky, you will not be disappointed here. (Alliance Atlantis)
The story finds Tiffany (voiced by Jennifer Tilly) and Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) reuniting with their spawn on a Hollywood movie-set. Issues of gender identity and family values are explored (or is that exploited?) as the pintsized trio wreak havoc across tinsel town. Child's Play purists will be dismayed about the artistic liberties taken towards the series' rules (i.e., the repossession ceremony is noticeably less elaborate than in previous films), however the comically sinister antics of the demonic toys serve well to cloud such issues.
The laughs, albeit cheap at times, come quickly at first, and by including Jennifer Tilly and Redman as themselves, with John Waters as a seedy reporter, Mancini facilitates an endless amount of pop culture satire and self-reference. But the comedic pace suffers as the initial absurdities in the film lose their shock value. A deficient level of editing also detracts from the believability of the story, though anyone looking for high levels of realism in a film about possessed dolls should consider looking into the concept of "suspended disbelief."
The controversial use of CGI over animatronics in the film is fortunately only slightly distracting and the dolls themselves, though not as cool looking as in Bride of Chucky, maintain an eerie level of life-like facial expressions. As far as gore is concerned, Seed treats us with a decapitation, disembowelment and other spicy deaths that force both smiles and cringes. Overall, Seed stands as an entertaining addition to the series. For those who enjoyed the twisted humour found in Bride of Chucky, you will not be disappointed here. (Alliance Atlantis)
