CHILD'S PLAY (2019)

Directed by: Lars Klevberg Written by: Tyler Burton Smith  Based on the screenplay “CHILD’S PLAY” by: Don Mancini, John Lafia & Tom Holland Based on the “CHILD’S PLAY” Story By: Don Mancini Cinematography: Brendan Uegama Editor: Julia Wong & Tom Elkins

Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry, Tim Matheson, Gabriel Bateman, Beatrice Kitsos, Ty Consiglio, Carlease Burke, Mark Hamill

After moving to a new city, young Andy Barclay receives a special present from his mother. a seemingly innocent Buddi doll that becomes his best friend. When the doll suddenly takes on a life of its own, Andy unites with other neighborhood children to stop the sinister toy from wreaking bloody havoc.

This film is still as ridiculous as the series but more like the later films rather than the originals where it was far fetched but still more of a thriller. 

This time Chucky isn’t possessed by a devil-worshipping serial killer. Instead, he just is a doll that has artificial intelligence and has his safety protocols turned off due to a disgruntled factory worker. So the dolls friendly nature is taken to obsessive extremes here.

The ridiculous nature of the film actually works for the tone of the movie. As it never truly seems to know what it wants to be more of a horror or comedy or more a kind of horrific am lin film with young teens as the heroes of sorts 

Chucky uses tech more as his murder weapon or his control over it. That is his weapon of choice most times or as his accomplice, though he still does good old blades also especially when in doubt.

Chucky here is more obsessed with Andy as his best friend. As he and his mom just moved there and he has no friends and his mother is dating a jerk. Once Andy becomes more popular and Chucky is dumped to a certain degree, more because of his behavior. He chooses to frame Andy while simultaneously exterminating all close to him with a believable case against him.

One particular standout is when one character who throughout the movie is a victim ends up being killed multiple times. Mainly because he seems to be not that moral. 

One murder feels personal and mean. Even though also provides laughs. Though it kind of ruins the whole mood of the movie seems to put in there for that reason. To signal a mood change and for not all the victims to be bad people.

Aubrey plaza is given a more normal role here though is still left with little to do. Her sarcastic humor works here but is barely used. It is also hard to believe that she would be so gullible throughout. Yet her character stays always fetching.

The violence feels wackier. It seems like it’s there more to either be excessive and funny the more ridiculous the better,  it then wants us to treat it seriously or be shocking after a certain point.

The film lacks the original spirit of the first film whereas this goes more form comedy and Lear ig. About friendship with plenty of violence. That it feels more like a studio driven film

Where they try so hard to modernize it and update it that it is missing its own identity. Clearly made for more. This is why this is not a sequel and the creators of the other series of CHILD’S PLAY movies are continuing their own on television. While allowing this to be Its own separate entity.

Grade: C