Child's Play was a good horror film and Chucky is a cracking horror villain. Do we want to see more of him? Sure, why not? Do we want to see a complete rehash of the first film. That's a resounding no. Andy is now in a foster home, still affected by the events of the first film 2 years earlier. Unfortunately, the doll company rebuild Chucky in a typically unlikely and stupid horror movie plot point and Chucky goes after Andy again. The film has the same formula as the first: Chucky kills people and frames Andy for it, intending to transfer his soul into Andy. With a runtime of less than 90 minutes and a predictable rehashing of the plot points of the first, Child's Play 2 feels slight and more like an extended YouTube compilation of Chucky kills. Acting is better than one may think for a horror film. Brad Dourif is still excellent as Chucky, who is one of the best horror icons out there and Alex Vincent again puts in a good child actor performance. Another neat touch is his foster sister Kyle, who is a surprisingly good addition to the film.
There are plenty of exciting moments, such as the finale in the Good Guy Doll Factory and Chucky can be quite amusing, but CP2 just isn't scary. There's no build up, no big reveal this time and Chucky reveals himself to Andy too quickly, showing a desperation to cut to the chase. The direction is nothing to write home about and the script is predictable, unimaginative and has various illogical and contrived moments. The film is gorier than the first, and horror filmmakers seem incapable of realizing gore is actually thoroughly tedious and this undermines the film as a result, contrasting heavily to the suspenseful and patient approach of the first film. CP2 gets boring very quickly, saved mainly by Chucky, who is a very good villain and an entertaining finale, although once again: Why. Won't. He. Die?!The soundtrack from the first isn't repeated in this one, and the film's main theme is less memorable. A watchable but lame horror sequel overall and apparently Child's Play 3 is even worse. An interesting comparison is the superior Halloween II. That succeeded because unlike this, that did something different, was actually scary and wasn't just about the kills.
4/10
There are plenty of exciting moments, such as the finale in the Good Guy Doll Factory and Chucky can be quite amusing, but CP2 just isn't scary. There's no build up, no big reveal this time and Chucky reveals himself to Andy too quickly, showing a desperation to cut to the chase. The direction is nothing to write home about and the script is predictable, unimaginative and has various illogical and contrived moments. The film is gorier than the first, and horror filmmakers seem incapable of realizing gore is actually thoroughly tedious and this undermines the film as a result, contrasting heavily to the suspenseful and patient approach of the first film. CP2 gets boring very quickly, saved mainly by Chucky, who is a very good villain and an entertaining finale, although once again: Why. Won't. He. Die?!The soundtrack from the first isn't repeated in this one, and the film's main theme is less memorable. A watchable but lame horror sequel overall and apparently Child's Play 3 is even worse. An interesting comparison is the superior Halloween II. That succeeded because unlike this, that did something different, was actually scary and wasn't just about the kills.
4/10