Seed of Chucky is an undeniably bad film. But it is also the kind of film that I have a hard time completely lowering the boom on. In my view, there are two kinds of bad films: Those that know they are bad and those who take themselves entirely too seriously. Seed of Chucky is the former.
By now we all know what we’re getting into with a Chucky flick. We have Chucky himself, the murderous doll that now has five films under his belt. Then there’s Tiffany, Chucky’s wife who also shares his knack for killing. And new to the series with this film is Glen, the androgynous and confused offspring.
The plot once again revolves around the killer dolls trying to take human form. This time around we are taken to Hollywood, where Chucky and Tiffany are being used as characters in a film about their “unsolved murders.” A film within a film, if you will. But low and behold, bastard son Glen escapes from his ventriloquist (I’m seriously not making this up) and soon finds himself with his parents in a Hollywood makeup storage room. Before you can say “abra cadabra” Glen has spoken the secret code and Chucky and Tiffany are back in full form – and ready to kill.
The rest of the plot deals with Chucky and co. terrorizing Jennifer Tilly (playing herself) and Redman (playing himself) in an effort to become human. True to the title, Tilly is impregnated by some of Chucky’s, uh, manhood to help the situation along. Inside jokes abound regarding Tilly’s weak film roles and overall sexpot image. Potshots are taken at Britney Spears, paparazzi, and even Anna Nicole Smith!
First, the good things. Seed of Chucky is very well made from a technical standpoint. The animatronics on the dolls are great, but still maintain some of the cheesy charm from the 80’s. The look of the film is impressive, and director Don Mancini even delivers some memorable shots.
Brad Dourif is as charasmatic as ever in his voicing of Chucky. I simply can’t picture anyone else doing this part. Tilly is subdued as the seemingly bi-polar Tiffany, but manages a solid voicing effort and a suitably over-the-top and cheesy role as herself. Redman does his best at being himself. John Waters (director of Pink Flamingos and other assorted sleazefests) even turns up as a grease ball paparazzi!
While it’s fine and dandy that the film has a nice look and the acting is passable, this is not what the majority of people are going to the film to see. Sadly, Seed of Chucky just isn’t full of many memorable kills, and on that note it is a letdown. Chucky wields his signature knife, but not all that much happens.
Furthermore, the movie crumbles in its final twenty minutes, and the total runtime is 87 minutes. The plot becomes unnecessarily complicated and you know how things are “left” when the end credits begin to roll.
Let one thing be clear, however. Seed of Chucky is often hilarious and a riot to watch. I just think that Chucky enthusiasts will likely find themselves let down by the copy-and-paste kills and lack of any real scares. For the rest of us, we can sit back and enjoy some pitch black humor and some comical gore. Hey, at least it knows it’s bad.
GRADE: C-
Studio: Rogue Pictures
Length: 87 Minutes
Rating: R for strong horror violence/gore, sexual content and language.
Theatrical Release: November 12, 2004
Directed by: Don Mancini
Written by: Don Mancini
Cast: Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Redman, John Waters, Billy Boyd, Hannah Spearritt
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