Since U Didn't Axe Me: "Child's Play 3" (1991) Review

It's now 8 years after "Child's Play 2," and Andy has enrolled in a military academy. When the Good Guys Dolls brand makes a comeback, so does Chucky, and this time it's war!

"Child's Play 3" is a 1991 horror film written by Don Mancini and directed by Jack Bender. Starring Justin Whalin (Andy Barclay), Perrey Reeves (De Silva), Travis Fines (Shelton), and Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky. The third entry in the franchise changes the scenery, and gives Chucky some new and interesting ways to wreck havoc.

Viewers would expect by this point, that the filmmakers would start running out of ideas, but it's not entirely the case here. Yes, it's essentially the same story again, but there are just enough new ideas thrown in to keep it entertaining. Brad Dourif steps it up one more time as Chucky, and you can tell he's really relishing the role. Chucky is in top form, and his one-liners are great.

Much like "Child's Play 2," the third installment is fast-paced, but there's a bit of tension injected into the film for good measure. The opening scene with the toy company's boss harkens back to the slow-build of the original film--I like that a lot. The newly added suspense (particularly at the beginning of the film) is very much welcomed.

As far as acting goes, the cast does a serviceable job. Justin Whalin plays Andy as a paranoid and frightened teen--which is understandable. Travis Fines' role as Lieutenant-Colonel Shelton is pretty standard, and Perrey Reeves' De Silva is a strong female character, and she's good as well. The burden of weakest link belongs to (child actor, at the time) Jeremy Sylvers who plays Tyler. Honestly though, if you're three films deep into this franchise, you're really only here for Chucky, and Brad Dourif delivers!

I don't see why "Child's Play 3" gets all the hate, but I get that the film does feel a bit tired. But just as you're about to nod off, the film throws you a curve ball. I won't give away any spoilers, but I commend the movie for knowing when to toss in the twists. While "Child's Play 3" seems like a bit of a retread, it does introduce some memorable characters (Sergeant Botnick), and allows the viewer to invest--even just a little bit--in what's happening on the screen.

Finally, I can't overstate how fantastic the special effects are in this film. Kevin Yagher did a superb job once again, and Chucky looks great in all his violent, wise-cracking glory.

Don't listen to the haters, and give "Child's Play 3" a chance. Yeah, it's not a remarkable sequel, and it's still the same 'ol story, but the twists show up at just the right time. I almost forgot to mention that the last act of this movie is epic. It takes place in a spooky carnival ride, and the vibe is outstanding!

Despite being in the same vein as its predecessors, "Child's Play 3" manages to mix in a batch of fun ideas to keep the audience entertained. Turn your brain off, and just have some fun with this one!

Good-