Seed of Chucky (15)

Dir. Don Mancini, 2004, USA, 87mins

Cast: Jennifer Tilly, Redman, John Waters, Hannah Speartitt and featuring the voices of Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Billy Boyd

Mancini, creator of the infamous killer doll Chucky , takes control in this fifth instalment of the Child Play series, Seed of Chucky.

As with the previous movies, the story focuses on psychotic killer dolls that go on a killing spree in search of human bodies to host their souls. Seed introduces a new member to the Childs Play family - Glenn/Glenda doll (Boyd), who looks like David Bowie from his Ziggy Stardust days. Chucky (Dourif) and Tiffany (Tilly) seek out Jennifer Tilly and Redman (playing themselves) to host their demonic souls so ultimately they can settle down, stop killing, and raise a Hollywood family.

Seed unravels as a fast moving comedy gore flick. Glenn/Glenda is the driving device behind the movie, making for an enjoyable crude comedy and his introduction helps take Child Play in a new direction. In the context of Seed, Glenn/Glenda doll is the anchor who he brings new motivations for Chucky and Tiffany while also helping them deliver their comedy with a punch, making the dialogue sharp and witty ( "What? A masturbating midget") Tilly is prepared to poke fun at herself, which makes for good comedy.

Visually, Seed successfully delivers - that's if you can stomach a healthy dose of excess guts, decomposing faces and lots of blood! The gore is over the top and tasteless but ultimately fantastic, comedic and satisfying.

The star is no doubt the original killer doll, Chucky! Mancini has crafted Chucky so as to convey human qualities thus you can't help but sympathise with his frustrations. Sadly, though, we don't see a great deal of his true psychotic scary edge.

Though funny, do no expect a return to the horror of the original. The narrative is lacking and clumsy. Once the basic outline has been revealed the story is pretty much straight forward. If you are familiar with previous Chucky outings you will no doubt already know the score! Seed manages to keep the audience in suspense for the first act, as the audience is introduced to both a POV dream sequence/killing spree in which they witness Chucky repeatedly stabbing Father Christmas. However, the release of the suspense may well find the audience disappointed. From then on Seed plays around with the comedy options it has given itself, ignoring the conventions of horror. Even at its bloody climax you still can't help but laugh.

Unwittingly Seed does take a satirical look at the dysfunctional family unit with a slight dash of psychoanalytical theory. Chucky and Tiffany rediscover their love over a decapitated, blood-spurting head only to discover they have the responsibility of parenthood and that their actions have consequences on their child. It also explores what possible sacrifices a child may bring to a loving couple. Chucky has difficulty in adapting and accepting Glenn/Glenda for what he/she is. Fathers and sons alike can relate to their situation. Glenn/Glenda is not a killer, which Chucky cannot accept but Tiffany embraces her offspring, even entering rehab to help with her killing addiction of killing. And so her love for Chucky is replaced by her love for Glenn/Glenda, the film conveying the tug-of-war within the family unit where all parties try to do what is right by each other but fail, ultimately leading to the breakdown of the family unit.

Ironically, Seed is certainly a dedication to the horror genre, paying homage to some of the great horror flicks that have graced the silver screen and is loaded from start to finish with reference points. Have fun spotting them!