Child's Play 3 (1991)

brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Am I Missing Something?

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Under pressure from Universal Pictures, both screenwriter Don Mancini & director Jack Bender didn't have the time to invest much on the development of the story for the third film in the series. Hence, why this picture also known as 'Child's Play 3: Look Who's Stalking', was released only nine months after 1990's 'Child's Play 2' & underperform at the box office. Nevertheless, the story, they did choose for this horror film, was not that bad. The idea that Andy Barclay, now played by Justin Whalin being sent to military school and Chucky, the killer doll (Voiced by Brad Dourif) going on a rampage there, was a good idea. It just fell flat. The story had potential. It really could had taken, a satire good look, into the claim that violent and aggressive toys are grooming children into becoming sadistic soldiers, much like 1992's 'Toys' & 1998's 'Small Soldiers' were trying to do. However, the story & location wasn't well utilize. The military school didn't seem, believable, with the armory being unguarded and buzz cuts being quite long. So, the story settling came across, as quite fake. Not only that, but the film is so badly pace, that, some audiences felt like they were trick, into, watching a different film. "Child Play 3' spend too much, time on Andy doing random things at military school like dealing with bullies like Lieutenant Colonel Brett C. Shelton (Travis Fine) & falling in love with a female student Kristen De Silva (Perrey Reeves) away from Chucky that it felt like a annoying coming to age teen drama show, than a cheesy horror movie. It get worst, as most of Chucky interactions isn't with the school, at all; as most of the slayings, happens, either at a toy owner's penthouse, a garbage truck, or at a carnival with different characters. Honestly, for most of the film, he doesn't even target Andy at all. Instead, he go after, a new character named Tyler (Jeremy Sylvers), based off an assumption that he can transform, his soul into his body; despite the fact that the boy wasn't the first person that he reveal his possession to. If anything, in this movie, Charles should had been, targeting Mr. Sullivan (Peter Haskell), since, first off, he is adult with power to resurrect his body, multiples times, despite the dangers. Second off, he was the first one to see Charles in his new doll form in this film. Honestly, if Charles was thinking; he would had skip the voodoo body transfer act, since it's nearly meaningless, and just force Sullivan, upgrade his doll body to adult size. At least, he would, have, had, a figure to work it. After all, a small kid's body isn't much of an upgrade from a doll-size body. Instead, Chucky burns those bridges, like a dumbass. It really does seem like he get dumber with each sequel. Also, what is with Chucky, always wasting time? Does he, not know the concept of time management? The movie seems to be really running out of good ideas, on why Chucky is always playing the doll ruse, rather than committing to do the voodoo body transfer act. The whole trying to do the ritual really getting overplayed. Regardless of that, one thing that didn't get old, was the doll's persona with Brad always doing a good job, voice acting. However, lot of dumb silly puns, and gimmicky death jokes in 'Child Play 3' were not that funny. As for the action scenes with Chucky. I kinda like the war game moments and the climatic haunted house scene with the dangerous props like the open fan and really sharp scythe. As for the rest of the movie's kills; they were highly disappointing. The gore effects were very limited, due to the high budget of making the puppet of Chucky look believable. Because of that, much of the murders, in the film, were done off-screen or in a bloodless matter. In other cases, the effects were, clearly forgotten in continuous shots, such as the cut Achilles tendon and Chucky's stab wounds. As for the effects to make Chucky look real. While, highly outdated by today's standard, they were pretty good for the time. As for the supporting cast. I really didn't like, any of them. They were either, playing their roles, too, over the top or really, really bland. Still, I like Justin Whalin's acting, enough, to have him over original Andy actor, Alex Vincent, any day. Vincent was just boring. Nevertheless, the bitter ending with Andy is such a downer. I kinda wish actress, Catherine Hicks as the mom, stay with the series. Better yet, Christine Elise as Kyle, Andy's foster sister from the second movie. Their presence really could had made this film, so much better. As for the film being notorious in the United Kingdom, due to the idea that it inspired the tragic, real-life murder of James Bulger & Suzanne Capper. I found it to be, a lot of crap, when researching the cases. Those murderers never even heard of this movie. Blaming movies for incite violence seem a bit one sided argument, anyways. After all, in real-life, anything in the world can cause a trouble person to act out, violently. In the end, that's why we have a rating system. This movie wasn't made for everybody. Overall: 'Child Play's 3' was a huge disappointment. While, the original movie is also a bit over the top, corny, and silly. It's one of my favorite horror movies of all time. It had some great suspense. I wouldn't say the same for the 'Child Play' sequels. It's just not that fun to play around after knowing that Chucky is alive. No wonder, why these movies are buried in the bottom of the toy box. They're only good for a one time watch.

The not-so-innocent movie about a child's doll continues with Andy Barkley (Justin Whalin), now a teenager, enrolling into military school. The authorities and corporate officials discount Andy's story about Chucky the killer doll as fantasy and re-markets the doll in stores. Soon, Chucky comes back to life and sneaks into the school to take revenge on Andy and seek a new body.The plot's pacing, script, and music score work fine in this movie, with some suspense, thrills and creepy moments. The acting was pretty good for the most part - especially enjoyed the characters of Andy and De Silva, the tough but sympathetic female cadet. Some of the military characters were a little overbearing and the lead kid character was a little mediocre I thought.Whalin portrayed Andy with determination and endurance in braving through the grueling military obstacles and in going against Chucky. Brad Dourif gave another sinister, dark, and sarcastically funny portrayal of Chucky.The overall plot may seam quite entertaining, but almost predictable now by the third entry. Still, a quite good horror sequel for a few scares.Grade B

Okay, so placing it eight years in the future and dumping Alex Vincent for attractive Justin Whalin may have turned people off. I kinda wondered how Chucky managed to wrap and address the package when he was in the box, but whatever. This is my favourite of the series and also the best comic moments until Bride of Chucky came along. I did hear that Alex had no desire to appear in this movie which is probably why it was set up the way it was. It is an interesting take on the series, but if anyone else noticed the blood dripping into a vat of boiling plastic, wouldn't there be more dolls affected?? My rating is 1) Child's Play 3 2) Bride of Chucky 3) Child's Play 4) Child's Play 2 5) Seed of Chucky. BTW Curse of Chucky is not worth watching.

Considering that I did not enjoy the first two films, the only reason I continued to part 3 (and will continue to watch all the films of the series) is that I want to experience the anthology as a whole. Also, I have certain hopes that the later films will be better... I must say, after a disappointing first and an atrocious sequel, Child's Play 3 is currently the best one I've seen of the series. First of all, Andy has finally grown up, meaning we were spared the unprofessional, uninspiring, unauthentic and unconvincing acting skills of Alex Vincent (again, sorry, I know he was just a kid, but have a look at all the amazing child actors and actresses of modern Horror who surpass Vincent in any and all ways possible). Having Justin Whalin (Jimmy from Lois and Clark!) as the main lead was almost enough to salvage the film. Almost.So, Chucky is alive again. How? Doesn't matter! Since nothing (absolutely nothing) about the films so far has been remotely reasonable or realistic, director Jack Bender and screenwriter Don Mancini had simply decided to avoid any explanations of how Chucky's soul was transferred to another (identical, of course) doll. Friendly reminder - in the 2nd film we learn that Chucky has been stuck in the doll for too long, and can no longer use the Dambella voodoo to move his soul to a live body. Never mind. Now there's a new doll, Chucky is conveniently stuck in it, why bother paying attention to plot holes?Now Chucky is on the loose again, and has a chance to finally settle the score with Andy, and move his soul to an older body which would allow him to enjoy the delicate pleasures of life. No! Chucky will instead choose another 7-9 year old as his target, because logic is redundant!So what's the good part? The characters (besides Whalin, the gorgeous Perrey Reeves is great as De Silva, adding a little romance to the tale, and Travis Fine is excellent as Shelto, the bully we all love to hate) are better, more intriguing and more relatable (not to mention better played). The story and plot are also better, because of the nice setting (a military school which in all things considered reminds the setting of Friday the 13th) and the increasing suspense. This time, instead of waiting for the next screw-up and for the film to finally end, I found myself actually curious as to how the events will eventually unfold.All in all? Not a good film in general, only by comparison to the first two. Still entertaining enough to deserve a merciful 6.