Chucky: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Chucky: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

For the Chucky connoisseur...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown October 4, 2013

Director Don Mancini's Child's Play trilogy and subsequent Chucky sequels aren't exactly unique among fan-favorite horror series. The first installment remains unmatched. Reinvention is the franchise's lifeblood. Camp slowly displaces straight scares. The diabolical baddie becomes more central to the story with each passing film. The human element becomes more and more inconsequential. The kills gorier, the deaths zanier, the body count higher, the satire more pronounced, the entries more niche, and the true series fans that much more ravenous. Like the Friday the 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street sagas before it, the Chucky movies aren't so much about developing a terrifying mythos as they are keeping a franchise alive and kicking. And, like the well-established icons of the genre before it, the series' undying killer has become an indelible fixture in horror, no matter how hit or miss the original Child's Play sequels may be. Chucky has slashed his way through four different decades -- the 1980s (Child's Play), 1990s (Child's Play 2, Child's Play 3, Bride of Chucky), 2000s (Seed of Chucky and 2010s (Curse of Chucky) -- and I suspect this won't be the last.

Chucky of course is actually Charles Lee Ray, or the Lakeshore Strangler if you're feeling morbidly nostalgic; the briefly disembodied spirit of a voodoo-practicing serial killer forever possessing a Good Guy doll, best friend to children everywhere. More than that, Chucky is voice actor Brad Dourif's rampaging id. Murderous, maniacal and armed with a barbed wit and twisted sense of humor, Dourif (and Mancini's puppeteers) summon the obsessive drive of Jason Vorhees, the mercilessness of Michael Myers and the riotous, madcap lunacy of Freddy Kreuger. (As a grown man with a wholly irrational and debilitating fear of dolls, I can attest to Manchini's grasp of precisely what makes the knee-high ankle-slashers the stuff of cold-sweat nightmares. It doesn't mean Mancini is the greatest writer or director, mind you, but a healthy twinge of genre terror goes a long way, even through the silliest of sequels.)

The series story? Like any undead horror series, it's less of a story and more an episodic murder spree. In Child's Play (1988), Chucky is hellbent on transferring his soul into sweet, innocent little Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent). It doesn't go so well for Chuck. In Child's Play 2 (1990), the pint-sized fiend returns two years later, hot on the trail of the Barclays. When possession fails, he quickly settles for revenge... which doesn't go so well for Chuck. Child's Play 3 (1991)? Andy (Justin Whalin) has graduated to sixteen-year-old military school cadet by the time his old pal shows up again, this time setting his glassy sights on a new boy, Ronald Tyler (Jeremy Sylvers). You guessed it, nothing seems to go in the demon doll's favor. Fast forward to Bride of Chucky (1998). The series vaults into the late '90s -- and horror comedy -- as Ray's girlfriend (Jennifer Tilly) succeeds in resurrecting her dearly beloved Chuck, only to end up with her soul trapped inside of a bride doll herself. Things... kinda go well, although not so much for the former Lakeshore Strangler. Seed of Chucky (2004) cranks the comedy and weirdness one notch higher, introducing the fruit of Chucky and Tiffany's plastic loins, Shitface (Billy Boyd), soon named Glen by his pops and Glenda by his mother. Chucky doesn't make it to the end of the movie, naturally, but manages to hold onto the not-so-mortal coil.

And so we come to Curse of Chucky (2013), another departure of sorts, and all at once something of a return to form. It's not only the best sequel of the bunch, it just might be the best film in the series. Whether or not that proves the case for you depends entirely on your affection for the first Child's Play and/or the camptastic Bride and Seed sequels. Love the 1988 original and you're sure to enjoy the darker, more unsettling traditional horror of Curse. Prefer Chucky's sharp right turn into comedy, though, and you'll probably walk away grumbling that the sixth movie in the Chucky Collection takes itself much too seriously. Personally, Mancini's constant reinvention of his devil doll series keeps things fresh, and the latest sequel unfolded as something of a happy surprise. Others who've settled into a comfy groove with the misadventures of Chucky's extended family may wonder where all the delirious self-parody has gone, and lament the victims, rather than the killer, reclaiming the spotlight. Regardless of where you fall, rest assured that Mancini isn't out to erase any film in the series. Elements return from all five previous films (be sure to sit through the end credits), giving the franchise a new future without sacrificing its past with a thinly veiled apology for lesser entries. (Ahem, Child's Play 3.)

Is Curse of Chucky the next great horror sequel? Slow down, it's not that revolutionary. As direct-to-video horror goes, though, it stands out from the pack. And as series sequels are concerned, it goes a long way to righting some old wrongs without trampling on fans that have made the franchise the cult favorite it is. Will there be another Chucky film? A future 7-movie Complete Collection set? You bet. Most of you will be chomping at the bit to see the next installment. The rest of you need only wait for Mancini to change the rules of the game a fourth time. It's bound to happen and, for better or worse, it'll be interesting to see where Chucky ends up.

Chucky: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For complete video reviews of all six films in the Chucky Collection, as well as additional screenshots, follow the links below. Note: the Child's Play disc features the same AV presentation as its MGM counterpart, which was reviewed by Dustin Somner in 2009.

• Child's Play - 3.5/5
• Child's Play 2 - 4/5
• Child's Play 3 - 4/5
• Bride of Chucky - 3/5
• Seed of Chucky - 3.5/5
• Curse of Chucky - 5/5

Chucky: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For complete audio reviews, tech specs and subtitle options for all six films in the Chucky Collection, follow the links below. Note: the Child's Play disc features the same AV presentation as its MGM counterpart, which was reviewed by Dustin Somner in 2009.

• Child's Play - 4.5/5
• Child's Play 2 - 3.5/5
• Child's Play 3 - 3.5/5
• Bride of Chucky - 4/5
• Seed of Chucky - 4/5
• Curse of Chucky - 4.5/5

Chucky: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Chucky: The Complete Collection arrives in a 6-disc DigiPak in a slipbox. The discs overlap, two per DigiPak page, with tight plastic hubs, fitted trays and finger divets for easier disc removal. It's nothing special, but it's functional. The special features aren't all that notable either, with Curse of Chucky offering the set's only HD extras. The rest of the content has been recycled from the various films' DVD releases, with Child's Play 2 and 3 earning next to nothing, and Seed and Bride of Chucky receiving a fuller complement. The commentaries included with the first, fourth, fifth and sixth films are the highlight of the set, although some of the behind-the-scenes documentaries are quite good. The series' bonus content breaks down as follows:


Disc 1: Child's Play

• Audio Commentaries: The first audio commentary is heavy on sentimental revelations courtesy of Alex Vincent (Andy Barclay), Catherine Hicks (Karen Barclay) and Kevin Yagher (Chucky's designer). The second commentary features David Kirschner (producer) and Don Mancini (screenwriter), revealing a great deal about the technical elements involved in shooting the film. (Impressions reproduced from Dustin Somner's 2009 Blu-ray review.)
• Chucky Commentary: This supplement offers an entertaining commentary track by the knife-wielding doll during the bulk of his attack scenes. Most of the commentary is delivered in a tongue-in-cheek style, making this an entertaining entry for one viewing, but probably not something you'll ever watch again. (Impressions reproduced from Dustin Somner's 2009 Blu-ray review.)
• Evil Comes in Small Packages (SD, 25 minutes): This recent behind-the-scenes supplement focuses on the origin of the production, and how the story was developed/refined by the writer and director. There are also interviews with the actors, as well as a slight degree of focus on the technical aspects of the production. (Impressions reproduced from Dustin Somner's 2009 Blu-ray review.)
• Chucky: Building a Nightmare (SD, 10 minutes): One of the best supplements on the disc, this featurette is an analysis of Kevin Yagher's use of animatronics to bring Chucky to life. (Impressions reproduced from Dustin Somner's 2009 Blu-ray review.)
• A Monster Convention (SD, 5 minutes): Footage from the Monster Mania 2007 panel interview with Catherine Hicks, Alex Vincent and Chris Sarandon is presented. The questions aren't that interesting considering the brief runtime of this extra. (Impressions reproduced from Dustin Somner's 2009 Blu-ray review.)
• The Making of Child's Play (SD, 6 minutes): Introduced as a vintage featurette, this extra focuses mainly on the animatronics technology that was utilized to bring Chucky to life on the screen. (Impressions reproduced from Dustin Somner's 2009 Blu-ray review.)
• Photo Gallery (SD)
• Theatrical Trailer (SD)

Disc 2: Child's Play 2

• Theatrical Trailer (SD): The Blu-ray edition of Child's Play 2 includes a standard definition theatrical trailer. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't even feature a main menu. It's pop-up menu or bust.

Disc 3: Child's Play 3

• Theatrical Trailer (SD): Like Child's Play 2, the Blu-ray edition of Child's Play 3 is essentially a barebones disc, save a standard definition theatrical trailer.

Disc 4: Bride of Chucky

• Director's Audio Commentary: Director Ronny Yu discusses his second American film, its Toronto production, the pressure and challenges surrounding the sequel's release, striking a balance between humor and horror, and working with screenwriter and series creator Don Mancini. Yu grows quiet too often and sometimes offers very little beyond technical tidbits and dry anecdotes, making Bride's second commentary the highlight of the disc.
• Cast and Crew Audio Commentary: Mancini and actors Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly deliver a much more spirited chat, with laughs and playful banter aplenty. After the requisite "what can we talk about here?" awkwardness, the trio hit their stride, with Mancini chiming in about the various elements, themes and tonal shifts that make Bride the horror comedy it is, and Dourif and Tilly keeping things light and chummy, touching on their performances, improvisation and more. It's a nice blend of informative production info, series history and story-driven amusement.
• Bride of Chucky Spotlight on Location (SD, 10 minutes): A behind-the-scenes "Spotlight on Location" promo, with interviews with the fourth movie's filmmakers.
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 1 minute)

Disc 5: Seed of Chucky

• Unrated Cut: While the original theatrical version of Seed of Chucky is not included, the 87-minute unrated cut is. However, the unrated cut only features one alternate shot and a longer ending extended by one minute. Hardly unrated, hardly worth any excitement.
• Audio Commentaries: Writer/director Don Mancini hosts two audio commentaries -- the first with puppet master Tony Gardner, the second with actress Jennifer Tilly -- and both are worth a listen. The former mainly focuses on the film's puppets, craft, tone and visual effects, while the latter is more anecdotal and concerned with story, characters and performances.
• Conceiving the Seed of Chucky (SD, 19 minutes): A twenty-year retrospective with Chucky, Tiffany and Glen, who offer a tongue-in-cheek in-character look back over the series with legitimate interviews with Mancini, his fellow franchise producers and other talking heads.
• Slashed Scene (SD, 3 minutes): A lengthy deleted scene, with optional commentary with Mancini and actress Debbie Lee Carrington (who plays herself in the exorcised sequence).
• Fuzion Up Close with the Seed of Chucky Stars (SD, 4 minutes): Tilly, Tiffany and Chucky on TV.
• Heeeeere's Chucky (SD, 2 minutes): An in-character interview with Chucky.
• Family Hell-iday (SD, 4 minutes): Vacation slides with Chucky, Tiffany and Glen.
• Storyboard to Final Feature Comparison (SD, 14 minutes): Several storyboard-to-film comparisons.
• Tilly on The Tonight Show (SD, 2 minutes): A late night sketch for Jay Leno.
• Trailers (SD, 3 minutes): The film's teaser and theatrical trailers.

Disc 6: Curse of Chucky

• R-Rated and Unrated Cuts: The Blu-ray edition of Curse of Chucky features both a 95-minute R-rated and 97-minute unrated cut of the film. Neither one is particularly superior, although horror fans will favor the added edge of the extended version.
• Audio Commentary: Writer/director Don Mancini, puppeteer Tony Gardner and actress Fiona Dourif sit down for an engaging overview of the sixth film in the Chucky series, hitting on virtually everything fans might want to know about the inception, development and production of Mancini's return to form.
• Playing with Dolls: The Making of Curse of Chucky (HD, 16 minutes): "He's a bad ass this one. No question." The filmmakers discuss the return to the straight horror of the film that started it all, touching on the challenges of going back to the series' roots without overwriting all that has come before.
• Living Doll: Bringing Chucky to Life (HD, 9 minutes): The design, molding, animatronics, costuming, puppeteering and vocal performance of the latest incarnation of the Chucky doll.
• Storyboard Comparisons (HD, 25 minutes): Four storyboard-to-film comparisons -- "Electrocution," "The Attic," "Ian's Death" and "Nica vs. Chucky" -- with introductions by Mancini.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 6 minutes): Six deleted scenes are available: "Getting Dressed," "Taking a Break," "Looking for Chucky," "Dad Gets a Ride," "Burned" and "Ancient Egypt."
• Voodoo Doll: The Chucky Legacy (HD, 7 minutes): Chucky as a horror icon.
• Gag Reel (HD, 1 minute): For those of you in need of laughs... look elsewhere.

Chucky: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Chucky Collection skimps a bit in terms of extras (especially when it comes to Child's Play 2 and 3), and its video presentations aren't always up to snuff (Bride and Seed of Chucky are hitched to dated masters), but that shouldn't deter diehard fans from picking up the 6-disc, 6-film set. The original Child's Play and the new Curse of Chucky are the standout discs of the set in every regard -- AV presentation, special features and the films themselves -- but if the cost isn't prohibitive, adding the Complete Collection to your shelf might be too hard to pass up.