Director: David Schmoeller
Writer: David Schmoeller (Screenplay) Charles Band, Kenneth J. Hall (Story)
Starring: Paul Le Mat, William Hickey, Irene Miracle, Jimmie F Skaggs, Robin Frates, Matt Roe
Plot: Neil Gallagher found the secret to Toulon’s puppets who come to life and then killed himself. Alex and his psychic friends come to investigate and are stalked by Toulon’s puppets who have a variety of strange traits including a drill for a head and the ability to spit up leeches.
Verdict: Cult Classic
Story: We start by following two mystery men coming to get Toulon the original puppetmaster, but he hides his work before they get there before killing himself. We then flash forward to the modern time in the film. We go on to meet a group of psychics who go to investigate the hiding place for all the puppetmaster’s secrets. The group looks for the secrets after one of their colleagues has killed himself. While we learn more about the reasons the group have come together their stay at the hotel starts to get strange when odd things start happening and mystery puppets start showing up trying to kill the people.
With the puppets almost carrying this story as the investigation side of the story falls very flat along with a very thin backstory to what actually causes the puppets to come back to life. There is very little back story to any of the characters we get a small introduction to what their abilities are but in the end they almost don’t need them. The puppets all have unique look that make their evil side work but in the end the story falls slightly flat. (6/10)
Actor Review
Paul Le Mat: Alex Whitaker the leader of the group of friends who has the powers to dream things that will happen in the future. He has to figure out what is happening and stop it before it is too late. Paul gives a solid performance but never really has enough to work with. (6/10)
Irene Miracle: Dana Hadley a psychic reader who speaks from her heart even if it leaves her getting into trouble. She also takes her stuff deceased dog with her on her trips. Irene gives a solid performance and is the only one of the characters that really has a dimension about them. (7/10)
Jimmie F Skaggs: Neil Gallagher the deceased friend who body keeps turning up at different location over the hotel but is he really dead? Jimmie gives a solid performance and has an overall creepy presence throughout. (7/10)
Robin Frates: Megan Gallagher wife of the deceased friend who none of the group had met before, she acts very strange towards them. Robin gives a solid performance but fails to make her character overly memorable. (6/10)
Support Cast: Being the rest of the member of the team and the small cameo from the original puppetmaster they all help explain a little bit more of the story as well as become disposable victims for the puppets.
Director Review: David Schmoeller – David gives us a solid horror film that is full of suspense but lack the final scare factor. (6/10)
Horror: Solid suspense and gore but no real scares to talk off. (7/10)
Thriller: You do get left to wonder what will happen. (7/10)
Settings: The isolated hotel makes for good setting for this horror film. (9/10)
Special Effects: Great effects used for the puppets making them all look like they are fully living. (10/10)
Suggestion: This is one for the horror fans out there, it has the cult classic status that horror fans will enjoy. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: The puppets
Worst Part: Thin character developments
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Became a franchise
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 90 Minutes
Tagline: Evil comes in all sizes!
Overall: Classic film
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