By Kit-Kat

Definitely not a family affair...

I've followed the Chucky franchise since its beginnings when I was pleasantly terrified out of my wits through the present, where humor and parody seem to win out. While I miss the horror and all out wild thriller fest of 'Child's Play' I can still find fun in just watching the characters that I first adored.

When the chance came to review this DVD I was like a kid at Christmas waiting for a present and I couldn't wait to pop it in and sit back for my dose of horror and amusement; alas, and much like those stereotypical kids, I was a bit disappointed after the package was revealed and it was not quite what I expected. In case you haven't figured it out, once again I was deprived from seeing this on the big screen so the DVD was my small consolation to myself.

The premise of the movie follows on the heels of the fourth movie 'Bride of Chucky', and the favorite pair is now faced with the challenge of raising a gender confused child who they affectionately named Glen (or Glenda depending on the kid's mood). There are a lot of laughs and parody references that will please any Chucky fan. As usual, Brad Dourif is as flawless as he was for the first film and ya gotta love him for it! Jennifer Tilly cracked me up doing both herself and the crazy Tiffany. Billy Boyd is one amazing guy to be able to take on such a role as Glen and Glenda and while I had reservations about the kid with his freaky look, Boyd's portrayal was enough fun that I had quite a few laughs.

There were no great Chucky trademark kills that we were blessed with in the first movies and I would certainly say there were no scare factors. Some sprinkled shocking gore is about all you get and I don't know about you, but that first Chucky Good Guy doll scared the hell out of me and yet now his look, while gruesome, just doesn't have the same effect; rather than being freaked out I was laughing at the hair stapled on his head (and no that does not mean I'm disturbed...or does it?). I actually prefer the wilder doll look in the earlier versions than his sewn up wild hair look now.

Overall being a Chucky fan I cannot say this fifth installment deserves a bad review, there are moments, and it certainly does succeed in the laugh department however, unless you are a Chucky fan (and even some that are will be disappointed) it just misses its trademark style.

The Bonus DVD features are exceptional, for myself- I loved every part of them, from the Helliday slides, the interview commentary (had me rolling), the conception of the Chucky franchise etc... were a perfect cap to this slash and hack spoof horror flick.

The DVD is certainly worthy of purchase even though the movie itself could've been played out more. I hear word of a possible sixth installment of the franchise and I sure hope that they take it back more styled after the first ones and don't continue on this complete comedic take. A bit of terror mixed with parody is what makes the horror franchises great.