After Leatherface, Michael Myers, Jason Vorhees and Freddy Krueger perhaps the most successful horror franchise icon to come out of the last quarter of the twentieth century is none other than Chucky. Introduced in the Child's Play series in the late 1980s and breaking through to a larger audience as well as a new generation with the films Bride of Chucky and Seed of Chucky that added a bit more dark humor, which may have bordered on camp, the Child's Play/Chucky franchise is a bit of a guilty yet refreshing pleasure. Now after what seems like a decade of torture porn, zombie flicks, and supernatural found footage films, there is a quaint and comforting feeling to returning to a movie series about a doll possessed by a serial killer trying to steal the body of a new living boy.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Child's Play, franchise creators Don Mancini and David Kirschner return with Mancini writing and directing the new installment that also brings back Brad Dourif as the voice of Charles Lee Ray, the serial killer, whose soul inhabits Chucky. The film is a bit of a family reunion too with Brad Dourif's daughter Fiona (The Master) starring in the film as Nica, the recipient of a mysterious package containing Chucky that quickly becomes her niece's favorite new toy. After her Nica's mother dies from suspicious circumstances, she begins to suspect that there may be more to Chucky than she ever imagined, including a mysterious connection drawing them together.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment's Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Copy set features both a full high definition 1080p and standard definition copies of the film's unrated cut and the R-rated version in a widescreen (1.78:1) aspect ratio presentation complete with an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Soundtrack as well as Spanish and French Language DTS 5.1 Digital Theatrical Surround Soundtracks while the DVD features English, Spanish and French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtracks as listening options.
Both the Blu-ray Disc and DVD include English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired as well as French and Spanish Language Subtitles too. A limited time only redeemable coupon for an i'Tunes HD Digital Copy and an Ultraviolet HD Digital Copy is included within the Elite Blue BD case and the i'Tunes Digital Copy features some extras too.
Both the DVD and Blu-ray Disc copies share special features that include a screen specific feature length audio commentary with Writer and Director Don Mancini, Puppeteer Tony Gardner and Star Fiona Dourif. Also included on both discs is a behind-the-scenes making of featurette, a gag reel and deleted scenes.
Exclusive to the Blu-ray Disc are Storyboard Comparisons, a look at the award-winning animatronics company Alterian's detailed work on the film as well as a retrospective on Chucky's film legacy from Child's Play to Curse of Chucky.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment has also released a Chucky: The Complete Collection Limited Edition Blu-ray Set with all six films. That set and Curse of Chucky Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy are available now at retailers on and offline just in time for Halloween.
(C) Copyright 2013 By Mark Rivera
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