Curse of Chucky (3½ Stars)

"Life's a bitch, and then you die, bleeding like a stuck pig".

We all thought that the Child's Play franchise was over. Then, after a gap of nine years, a sixth film was made. The studios weren't so sure it would be a success, so it was released direct-to-video. In America, at least. It was shown in English cinemas, where it was only moderately successful.

At first the film seems to be unconnected to the first five parts, although towards the end connections are made. The Chucky doll is mailed to a woman who lives with her wheelchair-bound daughter in a remote house in the middle of the woods. The doll awakes and kills the woman. After the funeral relatives come to stay at the house for a few days, and Chucky attempts to kill them all.

Critics have praised this film as being the best in the series. I don't understand why. The cinematography is beautiful, probably better than that in the previous films, but that isn't enough to make a good film. The suspense, especially in the first half of the film, is too slow. It takes too long for anything to happen. The multiple close-ups and unusual camera angles might have worked for Alfred Hitchcock, but they're out of place in "Curse of Chucky".

I almost gave the film an even three stars, but the surprises in the last 15 minutes earned it an extra half star. I squealed with pleasure when Jennifer Tilly appeared with a knife in her hand. I didn't expect to see her.

Yet another sequel is planned, "Cult of Chucky", due to be released later this year, also direct-to-video. I hope it will be better.

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