“Hi. I’m Chucky and I’ll be your friend til’ the end.”
We’ve all heard this famous phrase said back in 1988 by the original, beloved Chucky character. This famous phrase gave life to a simple doll — and as funny as it may sound, created a seven-film series afterward.
Chucky was Andy’s doll for the first two films and then became reborn as a killer on the loose with a bride — and even a child doll. We’ve seen Chucky’s physical characteristics change over the years. He has looked like an everyday normal doll, but has also transformed with stitches covering his face.
Now, the doll has made a reappearance as an animatronic in a remake of the original “Child’s Play.”
Lindsay Trombly | Argonaut
This film begins just like any other Chucky film — the doll is created, but this time the focus is on technology. The way the doll behaves, learns and essentially becomes a family’s “Alexa” running the household to make people’s lives easier. Yet, with a click of a button this doll’s safety features are off. He can do and say whatever he wants.
Andy’s character (Gabriel Bateman) reappears as a struggling teenager trying to make friends. His mother (Audrey Plaza) notices his troubles and decides to give him his birthday present two weeks early. She steals the defective doll from the store she works at, not quite listening to the customer regarding what was wrong with the doll.
Of course, the doll has one name and one name only — Chucky. He isn’t quite like any of the other dolls sold in the package; his eyes turn red, he learns from everything he sees (including violence) and even curses. Typical children’s toys wouldn’t know vulgar language — let alone attack people.
But that’s what makes Chucky so great. He’s different and has always been one of my favorite horror doll icons.
Horror doll movies are always hit or miss, but I am pleasantly surprised to say this movie really hit all the check boxes on my list for a hit-horror flick. From the start of the movie, I was extremely invested into the characters. Seeing Chucky become best friends with Andy pulled at my heartstrings. It was a sweet friendship and seeing it turn bad made me sad and actually feel sorry for Chucky. He just wanted to be Andy’s friend.
This film also didn’t have too much gore, but did have quite a few kill scenes which I enjoyed. Slashers are amazing, but too much gore kind of kills it for me.
The best part of the film has to be Mark Hamill as the voice of Chucky, complete with an added ‘Star Wars’ joke. Even though audiences are used to seeing Hamill as Luke Skywalker, he did a spectacular job channeling Chucky — an ultimate favorite slasher character of mine.
Even though the film draws several parallels to the original ‘Child’s Play,’ I wouldn’t call it entirely better. The difference is the film adapted to the time period we are currently in. Technology is taking over and who knows, maybe someday it really could turn on all of us.
But nothing beats little old Andy, originally played by Alex Vincent, hugging Chucky and saying, “I love you.” Nothing beats the feeling of being an innocent child who just wants to play with toys all day, even making one of them your very best friend.
I can assure you though — I doubt this will be the last ‘Child’s Play’ movie to be created. Bring it on “Child’s Play 2.” I’m ready.
Lindsay Trombly can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lindsay_trombly