Child’s Play (1988) – Review

A cop, Mike Norris (Sarandon), chases the Lakeshore Strangler, Charles Lee Ray (Dourif), through a dark alleyway, radioing for backup. The cop and killer exchange gunfire in the streets with events turning bloody as some bullets find their mark.

As Charles Lee Ray crawls through a toy store he broke into, he realizes he is mortally wounded. As his soul begins to leave this mortal coil, he curses the heavens, and the police, promising this is not over, and he will find his revenge. As he dies, he falls over into a stack of “Good Guy” dolls, a little freakish red headed thing in a box. He takes one out and chants into it, asking dark forces for power.

Lightning strikes from the skies above. What exactly has happened during this storm of ancient chants and striking electricity? As the store literally explodes from energy, Norris finds himself still alive and thankful to be that way. He stumbles through the mess, his killer certainly dead as Charles Lee Ray’s lifeless eyes confirm as such.

Andy Barclay (Vincent) is growing up, and it’s his birthday! Since his mom Karen (Hicks) is sleeping, he makes her breakfast, and watches adds for TV which show Good Guy dolls. He streaks a mess of sugary nonsense behind him as he brings his mom her meal of burnt toast and ice cream, at 6:30 AM. She is fucking thrilled.

Despite that, she’s a good sport since Andy just wants to rip into presents. He hits up the biggest box first! But… it’s clothes. The smaller box is a Good Guy’s Tool Box accessory, however Andy would like the doll itself. His mom doesn’t have the money this month, but an alleyway peddler has one on the cheap. A haggle for 30 bucks hits the right spot, and here’s Chucky, your friend ‘til the end!!

Of course, this sketchy alleyway doll has no issues, and definitely is NOT inhabited by the soul of Charles Lee Ray. Cause that would be crazy. And that totally normal alleyway doll will absolutely positively not try to get all murder-y.

Child’s Play’s plot may seem a bit corny, and it certainly is a bit odd, but this first movie is played seriously and creates a pretty crazy horror movie where a kid’s toy can threaten lives. Is it all that scary? Maybe it’s more creepy, and if seen while young it is probably decently scarring, so consider it for your young children for a lifelong phobia effect. As far as classic horror movies go, this one isn’t that bad.

Child’s Play spawned a buuuunch of sequels, as well as a well-reviewed TV series. I never got that into this franchise, as its premise was a touch ridiculous to me. I believe the series gets more and more towards the dark comedy side of things as it progresses, but honestly, I haven’t seen any sequels past Child’s Play 3. I would only take this path if you can’t get enough of the idea, as really I am only recommending the first one.

I did like the remake of this film also, which shifted things a bit plot wise.