There is something unsettling about the thought of our toys coming to life and taking on a mind of their own; unsettling yet intriguing. Child's Play is the remake of the 1988 horror film which introduces Chucky, the infamous killer doll. After a few modifications to bring Chucky up to speed with more current technological capacity, director Lars Klevberg assembles an entertaining, albeit tongue-in-cheek adaptation of the classic film. The cast is surprisingly impressive, highlighted by some enjoyable performances and great chemistry that usually isn't prevalent in a horror flick. The most important note about Child's Play is that it doesn't take itself too seriously, as it respects the audience by giving them what they came for: a 90-minute trip through the vicious and ridiculous mind of Chucky.
The Kaslan Corporation seems to have their toes dipped in everything, from smart home accessories to creepy AI animatronic dolls. Buddi, Kaslan's newest smart product, is a toy doll that will become best friends with its owner and adapt to its surroundings. Karen Barclay (Aubrey Plaza), a single mother working the exchange counter at the local Zenimart, comes across a faulty Buddi and decides to bring it home for her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman). The Buddi doll, later named Chucky (voiced by Mark Hamill), starts to develop a close connection with Andy, all while developing a hatred of anyone who gets in the way of their friendship. As Chucky begins to spiral out of control, Andy and his friends must do something about this insane killer doll on the loose.
Child's Play is truly self-aware, as it is obvious that Klevberg and screenwriter Tyler Burton Smith tried to capture the campy, comedic tone of the original films. The shift from a demon-possessed doll to an artificially intelligent killing machine seems too obvious in today's climate, but the new and improved Buddi doll is a welcome addition. By using his new advanced tools, Chucky is able to kill and terrorize in an entirely new and creative way. The doll is still as creepy as ever, and Mark Hamill does some masterful voice acting to build on Chucky's unsettling legacy. Brian Tyree Henry, who plays a small but meaningful role in the film, continues to impress as his movie career blossoms.
Don't expect to jump out of your shoes while watching Child's Play; it's just not that kind of movie. The right mindset will pay dividends in this over-the-top, silly horror flick that could be labeled as a comedy in its own right. In a world where remakes and reboots are all too common, one could do much worse than check out this revamped Child's Play, an outrageous and gruesome experience that introduces Chucky to a whole new generation.