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Movies / On DVD / Child's Play
Child's Play

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Child's Play (1988)

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Reviews Counted:27

Fresh:19

Rotten:8

Average Rating:6.3/10

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: The Lake Shore Strangler, a mass murderer who has plagued the Chicago area for months, meets his untimely end when he gets shot in a toy warehouse. Left for dead, the killer summons the strength to... The Lake Shore Strangler, a mass murderer who has plagued the Chicago area for months, meets his untimely end when he gets shot in a toy warehouse. Left for dead, the killer summons the strength to recite a voodoo chant which causes his soul to be "reincarnated" into one of the dolls resting on the shelves. The incantation also sparks an unnatural lightning storm, and when lightning hits the warehouse, it burns to the ground. Only one doll survives: the doll possessed by the killer's soul. Later, a mother innocently buys this doll as a present for her son. At first, everything seems fine, but soon the doll starts communicating with the young boy. Then he slays the child's babysitter. That's only the first of his many gruesome exploits, however. So watch out...because just when you think Chucky's gone--he might be coming back. Horror master Tom Holland (FRIGHT NIGHT) directs this horror classic that spawned several sequels. [More]

Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif

Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif

Director: Tom Holland

Director: Tom Holland

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Child's Play

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

It's nothing wildly original, but it is pacey and entertaining when it gets going.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
10/21/08
Kim Newman
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It does, however, have some decent scares, a lot of good lines and a memorable villain.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
10/21/08
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Holland's sure handling of the suspense and shock moments lends the film a sharp and scary edge.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Is anyone ever going to make a really good movie about toys coming to life to kill people?

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment 1 Comment
10/21/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fun withers in stretching the thin material to feature length.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/21/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With humor taking a backseat to good, old-fashioned suspense, Child's Play is an impressive horror highlight of the late-'80s film scene.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
10/15/08
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

'Child's Play' is one of the scariest movies ever.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
09/27/08
Lucius Gore
Lucius Gore
ESplatter

Insidiously effective.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/18/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

While the sequels may have gotten progressively more campy, I'm pleased to note that the original Child's Play holds up just as well as I'd hoped. (And the new DVD rocks.)

Full Review Source: FEARnet | comment Comment
09/10/08
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
FEARnet

I'm sure Child's Play was far from the only film of its era sold as one of the great scareshows of all time.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
09/08/08
Eric Henderson
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine

Even after twenty years, Child's Play shows no ring rust. The little flick plays just as well now as it did in its heyday.

Full Review Source: Dread Central | comment Comment
09/05/08
Uncle Creepy
Uncle Creepy
Dread Central

An inadvertently silly but effective shocker. Director Tom Holland definitely knows how to spin a scary yarn.

comment Comment
03/04/06
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com

No review available.

comment Comment
08/10/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
05/05/05
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

°classic horror

Full Review Source: sbs.is | comment Comment
04/16/05
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
sbs.is

A gem, with one of the best "sudden reveals" ever committed to celluloid

comment Comment
09/09/04
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times

[A] clever, playful thriller.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Caryn James
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It is not funny enough to be a comedy, but not scary enough to be a horror, either. It does, however, star a malevolent talking doll, which scores a lot of points in my book.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment 2 Comments
07/10/04
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

No review available.

comment Comment
12/25/03
Spence D.
Spence D.
IGN Movies

No review available.

comment Comment
08/22/03
John Esther
John Esther
Pasadena Weekly
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Latest News for Child's Play

September 09, 2008: Child's Play Partners Look Back, Discuss Remake Opens in new window
A brand new 20th anniversary edition of "Child's Play" hits store shelves today; to celebrate, Don Mancini and David Kirschner talked with ShockTillYouDrop about the little... More...

August 22, 2008: Weekly Ketchup: Superman gets rebooted, Poltergeist gets remade
This week's Ketchup bottle has news about a Superman franchise reboot, and remakes of Poltergeist, Child's Play, and Highlander. More...

October 23, 2007: Here Comes a Child's Play Remake
Well, we knew it was only a matter of time, right? Shock Till You Drop reports that Child's Play producer David Kirschner is preparing to give his franchise the remake/reboot... More...

See All

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