Dolls - Killerpuppen spielen nachts - absolut tödlich

Falls dich der rothaarige Kerl Chucky und die von einem Dämon besessene Dolly nicht von ihrer "Unschuld" überzeugt haben, schaffen es vielleicht diese verspielten Puppen. Eine angenehme Atempause von Stuart Gordons Werk, das in der besten Tradition der zweiten Hälfte der 80er Jahre steht, als kleine Schurken in das Horror-Genre einbrachen und der allgegenwärtige Humor Einzug hielt. Im Vergleich zu Re-Animator wird hier etwas Blut gespart, aber das wird durch die ziemlich unheimliche Atmosphäre des Hauses kompensiert, das mehr Augen hat als so manche gelangweilte Rentnerin. Die Puppen sind die meiste Zeit lebendig und sie haben Fantasie beim Töten. Für mich definitiv ein besserer Teil als der erste in der berühmten Puppenspieler-Serie Puppet Master. (11.06.2011)

It’s a terrible pity about the clichéd genre layout and especially the nonsensical, would-be mysterious ending and the hopeless conclusion, because there was potential here for a chilling horror predecessor of Toy Story 3. If we leave aside the hypothetical possibilities, it is all too apparent in Dolls that what was most important to Gordon was always the mechanical effects, while the context in which he presented them was then necessarily secondary. Thanks to Ed Naha’s screenplay, however the film also contains a number of principal motifs about the relationship that children and adults have with toys, as well as about growing up. But instead of elaborating on these motifs, Dolls is based on changing up a classic horror premise (Price’s films with haunted houses and deranged hosts) and building a straightforwardly entertaining genre flick. With its dramaturgical construction and modest runtime, the result comes across more like a mediocre contribution to The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt. (28.01.2015)

It was quite fun, but I can’t avoid feeling mildly disappointed. I think I will never ceased to be amazed by the 80s fondness for over the top characters that are totally detached from reality. In Dolls there isn’t anyone who’s normal (the pussy-whip, the evil stepmother, the smart fantasising little girl, the teenage boy, the first punk girl, the second punk girl, the magic granny and grandpa, the killer doll...quite a team they are), that bothers and annoys me quite a lot, to be honest. I could put up with a couple of characters like that, but not the entire cast! It doesn't let the film build a horror atmosphere to generate fear, and the only choice you have is try to have fun. I’m not saying it’s ineffective, but I prefer thoroughbred comedies. 65% PS: And with that ending, Gordon, go sod yourself. (18.05.2010)