Doll Parts: Ranking The Chucky Movies

And now Chucky comes to a close.  Hopefully Curse does well and we may get to revisit everyone's favorite little maniacal doll.  Its not the greatest series, but it does sport more entertaining entries than it does non-entertaining entries.  Chucky, the killer doll definitely is in the pantheon of horror icons, but I think he's slid down some notches since the 90s.  Whereas at one time he may have brushed with the A-grade slashers, time has more rightfully set Chucky's place as a B or C level horror villain.  Not a bad thing, but a lot of his movies don't hold up and he's not in demand like a Jason or Michael.

Chucky Retrospective: SEED OF CHUCKY

Seed Of Chucky
2004
Director: Don Mancini
Starring: Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Redman, Billy Boyd, Hannah Spearitt, Steve Lawton, John Waters
Rated: R

It looks like the kid fell off the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
                                      ~Chucky


After 6 more years, Chucky randomly pops up again.  During the era when this film came out, its sort of surprising that it wasn't a remake or reboot this time around.  Granted, it was early in that cycle, but still, with another big gap in between productions, you'd think it might have been an option.  Plus, seeing the heights to which a rival icon, Leatherface, was brought back to relevance , a studio or writer/director might want to do the same for another.  In any instance, the man behind them all, Don Mancini, returns.  With this series, love them or hate them, you can really point to one person as to the blame if you so desire.  This time, he adds to his normal writing duties and sits in the director's chair as well.

Chucky Retrospective: BRIDE OF CHUCKY

Bride Of Chucky
1998
Director: Ronny Yu
Starring: Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile, Alexis Arquette, John Ritter
Rated: R

Have I got a rubber? Tiff, look at me. I'm ALL rubber.
                ~Chucky


After 7 years, Chucky was revived.  And a breath of fresh life put into him.  I'll start off by saying this...Bride of Chucky is my favorite Katherine Heigl film.  Director Ronny Yu came in and "got it" with where to take everyone's favorite serial killer doll.  This film fully realizes what this series is and has become and its not gonna bullshit you into "trying to take it seriously" anymore.  After 3 films, that luster had worn off.  And by the last entry it was just kind of lame and boring.  Bride of Chucky tosses attempts at suspense out the window and full embraces campy, comedy and over the top kills.  And I'm fully willing to jump on board.