Chucky: Season Three Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.0

Chucky: Season Three Blu-ray Movie Review

"No, Chucky. You've lived a great life and you've ended so many more...You're still the brilliant psychopath I fell in love with and you always will be."

Reviewed by Justin Dekker August 19, 2024

'Chucky: Season Three' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. The fan-favorite television series spawned from a film franchise that began with 1988's 'Child's Play' furthers the latest round of the murderous supernatural doll's adventures that began in 'Chucky: Season One'. Brad Dourif continues to provide the voice for Chucky, as the series displays a distinct awareness of its own history and horror films in general while gleefully pushing the boundaries of gore and good taste. The eight season three episodes are spread over two discs and supplemental features continue to be woefully light. A slipcover is also included but a Digital Code is not.

Chucky: Season Three begins with Chucky in one of the most unlikely settings imaginable for the franchise: the White House. While questions abound and answers are initially slow in coming, the on-screen mayhem more than makes up for any temporary confusion. The investigative trio continues to make their presence known and does their part to advance the plot of each episode and the season, but the real star here is, naturally, Chucky. Just as the series advances the mythology of the character and his universe, it works to provide the viewer with something they haven't seen before from titular villain. What viewers are accustomed to is the gore that comes part and parcel with the actions of the diminutive sadistic killer. Here the series absolutely does not disappoint. Each episode, some more so than others, features inventive, differentiated and graphic kills. The effects work is quite convincing as gallons of blood fill the screen.

Also taking the series and the franchise into new territory is the setting. With the bulk of the action taking place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this season adopts many of the tropes found in some of the better political thrillers and comedies of the last several decades. The intersection of these storylines with the horror elements one would expect from the Child's Play franchise is as unexpected as it is entertaining. While there are a few things about the plot that don't necessarily ring true or plausible, for instance the ease of access of outsiders to the most secure location in the United States, the investigation of the deaths occurring in the residence, and other things I won't spoil here, I for one was willing to cast those thoughts aside to simply follow the logic of the season and how things needed to work for the sake of the story.

One of the highlights of Chucky: Season 3 is Jennifer Tilly who has been a part of the Child's Play franchise since 1998's Bride of Chucky. While her performance sometimes veers perilously and deliciously close to camp, her devotion to and enthusiasm for her role her is obvious. Her evil machinations and the zeal with which she carries them out make her a more than equal partner for Chucky and and viable villain in her own right. As one would expect, humor abounds in the season and is another bright spot. Some, like Chucky's brief critiques on other doll-related horror movies is an unexpected and delightfully self-aware treat. Other comedic moments, due in large part to clever writing and feisty delivery, helped provide needed breaks in tension and function as palette cleansers of a sort, giving views a chance to catch their breath and creating and maintaining an excellent mix of humor and terror.

Is this the end of the road for Chucky? I, for one, certainly hope not. But as of this writing, Don Mancini has indicated that while he has pitched the fourth season, it has yet to be picked up. If the series were to end here, the final episode of the season did an effective enough job of tying a bow around the plot critical elements and characters. The series could conclude here if it needed to, but considering its production value, the caliber of the writing, and the performances of the cast it shouldn't. If the series has taught viewers anything so far, it's that Chucky still has a great deal to do. While the number shown at the end of the final episode doesn't actually work, those wishing to support the series and it's continuation can easily search online and find one to text and do just that. Those that send the text "Chuck With Me" will receive Chucky-style text messages in return as well as some simple instructions on how they can help make season four a reality.

The following episodes comprise season three:

Disc One

• Murder at 1600 - How did Chucky end up in the White House? What is he after? While there are more questions than answers at this point, somehow Chucky, now known as "Joseph", has become the favorite toy and near constant companion of the President's youngest son Henry. As he claims his first victim, Lexy, Jake, and Devon get the clue they needed as to Chucky's whereabouts.

• Let the Right One In - The unflappable Mr. Price arrives to investigate the death at the White House and finds an odd clue. Chucky strikes again as we lean the number of his intended victims. Meanwhile, Lexy, Jake, and Devon conspire to engineer a meeting with Grant, the President's teenaged son.

• Jennifer's Body - A flashback episode, Jennifer Tilly/Tiffany Valentine is arrested and Chucky is taken by Caroline. Or maybe it's the other way around? Lexy visits Tilly/Valentine in jail in an effort to locate her missing sister. The motive behind Chucky's actions is finally revealed as Tilly/Valentine pleads insanity as a defense in her trial for multiple murders.

• Dressed to Kill - Invited to the White House's Halloween party, Lexy, Jake, and Devon try to locate and capture Chucky, but he has a different idea as he works to bring his plan to fruition. Enjoying celebrity status, Tilly/Valentine adjusts to life in prison and has plans of her own.

Disc Two

• Death Becomes Her - The members of the First Family are still reeling from the events on Halloween, as Lexy and Grant have a heart-to-heart. Chucky wrestles with frustration and his condition, while Jake and Devon visit a doctor. Horrific visions haunt the President that he pins on the death of his youngest son, Joseph. Mr. Price arrives at an unlikely conclusion.

• Panic Room - The stakes have never been higher as the First Family is dealing with another loss. Chucky decides that he will not go quietly and develops another strategy, as Lexy, Jake, and Devon return to the White House to hang out with Grant and try again to capture Chucky.

• There Will Be Blood - Chucky's struggles continue as he receives a new challenge. Jennifer Tilly/Tiffany Valentine grows more frustrated as her plan to escape custody is not proceeding quickly enough. Despite everything that has happened at the White House, Mr. Price believes he finally has the situation under control.

• Final Destination - Jake confronts a demon from his past while undertaking a daring gambit to locate Caroline as Jennifer Tilly/Tiffany Valentine seems unable to escape her date with the executioner.

Chucky: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Fans of the Chucky series will not be surprised by the transfer that Chucky: Season Three has received. Detail levels remain reasonably high with viewers able to enjoy the slick freckled face and mop of red hair on everyone's favorite homicidal doll. The human cast fares also fares well, with fine lines, wrinkles, stubble, and makeup particulars easily discernable. Skin tones are realistic and universally healthy. The color palette here is also similar to what was observed in the previous seasons, though reds, as seen in Jennifer Tilly's brilliant red dress pop nicely, though such moments are more rare than they could be. Depth and dimensionality are satisfactory. The noise and banding that affected the previous seasons are diminished here. Blacks, while pleasing, can sometimes absorb detail.

Chucky: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Chucky: Season Three is outfitted with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that is very much in line with what was found on the first two seasons. It's functional and competent and never disappoints. The front-heavy presentation delivers dialogue cleanly and surrounds are often involved tastefully to add ambience to crowded scenes such as the Halloween party and other busy environments. Such moments are never subtle nor overwhelming, but well-balanced and blend in nicely. Bass is sufficient to add perfect depth to gunshots and other violent elements, as well as complimenting the score well. Fans of the series should be pleased.

Chucky: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supplemental features are limited to deleted scenes spread across both discs.

• Disc One Deleted Scenes (9.16) - Excised scenes are included from "Murder at 1600", "Let the Right One In", and "Jennifer's Body".

• Disc Two Deleted Scenes (2.43) - A collection of short scenes from "Death Becomes Her", "Panic Room", and "Final Destination".

Chucky: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Franchise fans and horror hounds, in general, will have an excellent time with Chucky: Season Three, though those who haven't seen the prior two seasons should do so before popping in these discs. All of the expected doll-related mayhem and gore is on tap, buoyed by a glorious performance from Jennifer Tilly and more than a few unexpected twists. Special features are woefully light, comprised of a few deleted scenes, and the technical merits of this season are consistent with those that have come before and, though unremarkable, are solid and up to the task. Chucky: Season Three comes strongly recommended.