Bolt

Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif), AKA Chucky, is a dangerous criminal being chased on the streets by Police Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon). During a local toy store shootout, Charles gets shot and wounded badly. With only a few minutes of life remaining, Charles discovers a stack of children’s toys known as “Good Guy Dolls”, and with his remaining breaths, he transfers his soul inside one of them. This transfer ends with a huge explosion thanks to a lightning strike, and Detective Mike assumes the hunt for Charles is finally over. Next, we meet a single mother, Karen (Catherine Hicks), and her son, Andy (Alex Vincent). Andy is up early in the morning and is excited because it’s his birthday, and he hopes his mother somehow manages to buy a Good Guy Doll. But given the current asking price, Karen has yet to be able to afford one. On the same day, Karen goes to work and has the opportunity to buy a Good Guy Doll from a homeless man. Karen negotiates a better price and can’t refuse the opportunity; after all, she is a mum who only wants to please her son. When Andy is given his new toy, he is filled with joy and soon discovers the doll’s name is Chucky. As Andy continues playing with Chucky, we discover that this is no children’s doll. Andy is now the proud owner of the doll that carries the soul of a murderer. Soon, Chucky begins to conduct various murders. Andy also becomes suspicious and suggests that Chucky is alive, but no one believes him, including his mother. Child’s Play is best described as a horror movie with many great and creative ideas that had never been done before in the horror genre. The idea of a possessed doll would later become a significant horror icon and deliver more films and even hit TV shows down the track. Chucky is a fun yet extremely creepy and horrifying character. Some kills are made without even showing Chucky’s involvement other than his point of view which only gives an element of suspense, mystery and tension. The victims here are predictable, but I can’t deny that watching the kills occur holds excellent entertainment, especially with some of the creative kills and styles presented on-screen. The musical score is awesome, thanks to composer Joseph Renzetti. Reminiscent of John Carpenter, the score is rather creepy. While the kills are fun, the score is an ingredient that adds to the horror and unsettling tension. For the most part, I liked the pacing, and the storyline builds and develops wonderfully as our leads learn more about Chucky and discover just how dangerous the doll is. The film is most enjoyable when it involves Chucky interacting with others. Overall, how can anyone be shocked that a killer doll named Chucky would later spawn multiple films, a remake, and a hit TV series? Child’s Play is fun, exciting, and creepy. The horror is fantastic, and moments of suspense are thrilling such as the kills that occur throughout. Lines of dialogue are corny and cheesy, but they also add a lighter touch to the film making it more comedic than serious. Chucky’s look, movement, and voice work are impressive and excellent even when rewatching the film again in the present day. Child’s Play is a great time with its horror and comedy and will remain a classic. If you have never seen this film, it comes highly recommended. * This review has been written for Sanity. For more reviews from Walkden Entertainment, check out the link here: www.walkdenentertainment.com