Chucky Speed Art and Film Ranking
Hey Jack! I'm back and with me another Speed-art. This one is of the Goodguy Doll in the first Child's Play and was much requested after I put out the evolution animation on the main channel – which somehow became the fastest video over there to reach a million views, so I think Chucky fever may be in full-force with the new movie coming out soon, but I don't really judge my videos based on views as I'm always trying to improve my animation and editing skills with each release. But before the new reboot film fractures the time-line I wanted to give my ranking of the series. So with some light spoilers ahead, let's jump into this series and rank them from worst to first.
7. Seed of Chucky (2004)
So starting on the bottom of the list at number 7 is Seed of Chucky from 2004. This is the first film directed by Don Mancini, the creator and writer of the series, and his inexperience in the directors chair really shows here. Gone is the tension from earlier entries and in it's place we have forced humour, more akin to an SNL sketch than a Chucky film and worse makeup and puppetry effects. And maybe this wouldn't bother me if the humour landed, but a lot of the jokes are pretty crude and don't really insight laughter. But there are some things to enjoy here, mainly Brad Dourif is back as the voice of Chucky and Jennifer Tilly returns now in a duel role as both herself and Tiffany. And unfortunately the luke-warm reviews and box-office from this film doomed the Chucky franchise to slashed budgets and straight to VOD releases from here on out, until the new film this year that is.
6. Child's Play 3 (1991)
So moving on and landing at number 6 is Child's Play 3. The final in the original trilogy, which I dub the Andy trilogy because of it's focus on Andy and Chucky's relationship for the most part. While I don't hate this film, I think there's some interesting kills and a few good scares, it certainly comes across as rushed and pretty unoriginal in it's premise. Basically it's Child's Play 2 with a new coat of paint and time-jump. And while it's not totally void of new ideas, the cadet setting allowed for some interesting sequences and the final part in the huge pop-up carnival is a fitting climax for our titular antagonist, but it lacks both the puppetry and design work of Part 1 and 2 and the weird hair-cut subplot is a little odd, like how did that creepy barber even get a job? But all in all while it may be the weakest of the first 3 I think it's not as bad as some people make it out to be.
5. Cult of Chucky (2017)
And coming in at number 5 is the latest film, Cult of Chucky. While I know some people love this entry, and I do admit it is a lot of fun, but there's something that just doesn't quite add up for me. While I'm glad they retained the horror elements from Curse, there is an over-emphasis on jokes when the multiple Chucky's get together, which sort of deflates the final act. But there is some great things on display here, mainly Fiona Dourif – daughter of Brad Dourif-'s take on the wheel-chair ridden Nica, the multiple Malcolm character and the creepy Doctor add in a spice of fun to their scenes. But it's unfortunate, in my opinion, that the more horror and mystery elements are put aside in the final half, although with all the craziness happening in the final third I am interested in seeing where they plan on taking the TV series.
4. Curse of Chucky (2013)
And taking the number 4 slot, just above it's sequel is Curse of Chucky. People assumed it was a reboot because of how it was marketed, but after sitting through the film you learn how it connects to the universe as a whole and I think that helps to really add an additional intrigue, as the movie is largely a haunted house film where no one knows what's going on until the final few scenes, even the audience is somewhat left in the dark until the big reveal. And once that happens that's when the fun begins, with a lot of interesting and fun kills. This entry, like Seed and Cult, is also directed by Don Mancini, but it seems he has his most restraint here, allowing the atmosphere and tension to lead the film, rather than the action or jokes. So I'd say, even if you're new to the series this is probably a good one-off horror flick.
And before jumping into the top 3, go ahead and leave your top 3 down below, I'd love to see what you think about the franchise.
3. Bride of Chucky (1998)
So for my number 3 spot we lean back a little bit on the comedy angle but with some of the horror still in play with Bride of Chucky. A lot of the fans are split on if this film was good or bad for the franchise, but for what they were trying to achieve I believe they accomplished it nicely, blending horror and comedy smoothly while adding in a bit of tongue and cheek self-referential humour akin to the Scream series to inject the franchise with new blood. Also the addition of Tiffany helps to add more to Chucky's character in the franchise and gives him an equal to play off of. While I'm a bigger fan of the more tension driven or horror driven angle, I can't deny that this film was able to breathe new life in the series after the relatively stale Child's Play 3.
2. Child's Play (1988)
And for the top 2 I had a very hard time deciding which would be top-dog and who would play second fiddle because they're both pretty great, and when compared to the other entries they come off looking near perfect. But for the number two spot I'm gonna have to place the original Child's Play from 1988. This is a film that builds tension slowly over the course of the first two acts and gives us Jaws like camera work where we see the view from the killers perspective, which helps to add an air of who-dunnit to the narrative. And while we all know it is certainly the doll, it does add another layer to Andy's terror as he's not believed and even blamed for crimes. Also small tidbit, Andy's doctor who gets fryed by Chucky, is the same actor who played the reporter following the Hulk around in the original 1980s series, so I thought that was a nice little connection between the two evolution videos in a row on the main channel. But anyway, almost nothing can beat the original but the next entry does just by a doll-hair.
1. Child's Play 2 (1990)
And reigning in at number 1 is the first follow up, Child's Play 2. Retaining the horror of the first film, but amping everything up, from the kills, to the jokes, to the suspense, everything just adds up to an extremely strong film in the horror genre. The opening, which the next two entries would have their own versions of, where he's put back together in some way or another is perfectly done here, setting up the horror with the strong music and allowing the series to continue with added rules to his resurrections. Now there's something nearly unsettling about Chucky following Andy into the foster system, which is already a pretty crummy situation to be in but add on to it the killer doll still chasing him. And the music may be at it's best here, most notably during the classroom scene where the more playful elements of the score come out. Kyle, Andy's foster sibling, is also a welcome addition to the franchise and ally of Andy, unfortunately she hasn't played a big part in the series since, but hopefully the TV series will give her a role to do. While I think Chucky looks creepier in the first film, personally I feel like the puppetry is at it's most effective here, allowing puppet Chucky to walk on screen for the first time and not be cut off at the waste, and that all adds to the sense of cohesiveness that this film holds. So everything considered, Child's Play 2 is the big honcho of the franchise for me.
So what do you think of my list? Does it sound right or is there something amiss? You guys excited for the new film coming out in a few months?
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