Child’s Play 2 horror movie review

Title: Child’s Play 2
Director: John Lafia
Writer: Don Mancini
Release Date: Nov. 9, 1990
Cast: Alex Vincent, Christine Elise, Jenny Agutter, Gerrit Graham, Grace Zabriskie, Brad Dourif

Child’s Play 2 Cliff’s Notes

Chuck gets repackaged and re-invigorated in the Good Guys factory. First thing on his list: a bunch of folks who won’t make it. Second thing on his list: Andy.

Lecture

As sequelitis sets in, most franchises tend to level off. Sure, some of the Friday the 13ths are alright (Part 6), but often the sequels are hit or miss, mostly miss (Part 8). Most often, this is do to the sequels beginning to focus on a watered down version of the original. They pull away the superfluous and focus on what they think made the original more effective. Of course, that means that Child’s Play 2 is a distilled version of Chucky killing folks left right and center. Game on!

Where Child’s Play milked its “Is it alive?” angle a little too hard, Child’s Play 2 makes its money by focusing on Chucky, Andy, and a ton of dead bodies. Sure, the characters aren’t as well crafted, I’m missing Mike Norris, and the adults here are clueless, but there’s more of a focus on the mayhem Chucky causes, not his existence. This mayhem is exactly what the original needed. There are all kinds of groovy set ups – I fricken love the finale- and the flick jumps between them with ease.

Of course, that means that there are a few things that don’t work. We’ve got fewer likeable characters – even final girl Kyle isn’t great – which lessons the tension of some of the scares. That being said, there’s something cathartic about watching Chucky take out a slew of obnoxious side characters. Also, the pacing that was so tight in the first flick needs retouched here. Not that it’s bad, it’s just not quite as clean. But my biggest gripe is the single note plot. I’m not looking for Shakespeare here, but come on. The entire flick feels super straight forward with nay a twist or turn for miles.
At the end of the day, though, this is exactly what a sequel should be. The major failings of the original are gone – no little person in a suit here – and we’ve got a solid little crowd-pleaser in its place.

Acting

Vincent is back and solid, though I didn’t dig him as much the second time around. Elsie does what she can, but her role is poorly crafted and, until the third act, is rather peripheral. The rest of the adults create solid, if unlikable, victims. Dourif is, as always, in top form.

Directing

Lafia does well with his scare scenes, but needs a little help with his pacing. Likewise, his composition and tension are alright, and he manages one hell of a finale, but he doesn’t always make use of his entire arsenal of techniques. There are moments that seem almost bland.

Script

So, this is the opposite of the original. The characters here are bland, but the focus of the work is much, much clearer. The dialogue is fine, Chucky’s is top notch and everyone else does alright, but there’s very little below the surface until the climax. Speaking of, talk about taking a series to it’s metaphorical roots. Nice job!

Effects

So much better here! The Chucky effects are much improved, and at times really scary, which really adds a lot to the film. That, combined with some solid gore, makes the flick shine.

Highlights

While I really dig a few of the early kills, the finale is boss. Awesomeness!

Lowlights

We’re getting to the point of anyone claiming that Chucky isn’t alive is akin to wearing a red shit. Come on.

Final Thoughts

Yep, I like this one more than the original. It’s fun, cathartic, and really puts the spotlight on Chucky, which is exactly what the series needs.

Grade: B