Puppet Master: Axis Termination

Say what you will about creator Charles Band's long running low- budget killer-doll franchise "Puppet Master." The fact is for darned-near close to thirty years now, the series has managed to continue on with relative competence, while maintaining at least a certain degree of imagination and low-brow entertainment in each new chapter. From the fun and sometimes genuinely creepy initial trilogy, through the kitschy 90's gems that were the fourth and fifth chapters, and indeed through a surprisingly fun prequel in the 'Retro' spin-off... "Puppet Master" had done pretty well for itself over the years.

Unfortunately, a troubling noticeable trend has plagued more recent entries in the saga, and it's becoming increasingly clear that at a certain point, enough is enough. Hindered by lower budgets and a general apathetic feeling of "been there, done that", the last few films have come across as a mere shadow of what the series once was, and the most recent chapter- 2017's "Axis Termination"- is perhaps the worst offender. While not objectively the worst of the series in terms of story, it's just so wholly unremarkable and thrown-together that you can't help but feel cold and disconnected from the opening sequence through the final climactic battle. And it's a sign that it sadly might be time for those delightful killer dolls to finally throw in the towel for good. At least in terms of the original series continuity.

"Axis Termination" follows an unlikely group of heroes who are brought together by the allied force during World War II. Each member gifted in some way- including some with magical and psychic abilities- the team are given the mission to work alongside the puppets of Andre Toulon in order to battle a dreaded group of Nazis whom are seeking to gain Toulon's formula for everlasting life. However, when the daughter of team leader Dr. Ivan Ivanov (George Appleby) is kidnapped, matters take a personal turn, and it becomes a mission of vengeance.

To give some minor credit where it is due, the concept is actually quite fun, and it serves as an interesting enough follow-up to the previous two movies, which were similarly placed in a World War II setting. It creates a unique atmosphere allows for some decent contrast with more modern entries in the series. The idea of a borderline superhero-inspired team of allied forces is also quite amusing, and I actually genuinely liked Appleby as the gifted Dr. Ivanov- a man suffering dwarfism who is frequently ridiculed, yet also holds more power than even he will admit to.

Unfortunately, a likable lead and a funky concept can only get you so far, especially when the movie doesn't know what to do with them. "Axis Termination" feels strained... coming across as too rushed and undeveloped, yet also somehow feeling dull and over-padded. And look, I understand that there was simply no real money to work with... but that doesn't excuse shoddy situational writing and half-baked character development. It's a poorly constructed, slap-dash effort that feels like it was put together out of obligation moreso than motivation. The story is minimal and lacks proper build-up or conclusion, there's a distinct lack of stakes and shockingly the puppets themselves- the stars of the series- feel tacked on and superfluous.

Visually the film is flimsy and has a really cheap, tacky look to it. And given the modern age of digital photography, I can't just sit back and act like that's OK anymore. Anyone with a cheap DSLR and some shop-lights can make something that looks semi- professional. So it's hard to excuse people with decades of experience giving us such visual drivel. Director Band, returning to helm the series once again, doesn't seem to care much. His choice in shots, composition and flow is suspect at best, and lacks any real thought. It's put together in the blandest of ways- every scene being composed of simple wide shots and shot-reverse-shot editing, and the few times he tries to do anything fun with the camera, it comes off as hockey and out of left field. This isn't made any better by the woeful acting, with the bulk of the cast looking very uncomfortable on-camera. It's unintentionally amusing, and some genuinely cringe-worthy line-deliveries left me chuckling when it clearly wasn't appropriate.

As it stands, "Puppet Master: Axis Termination" might not quite be the worst of the series, but it's a continuation of the general downgrade in quality that has occurred over the past few installments, and it really feels like the series is dead in the water at this point. There's no money to build creative effects or kills anymore. There's no motivation on the part of the filmmakers to try and take the series in new and interesting directions. And it all feels so by-the-books that it comes across as a wholly pointless endeavor. Thankfully, there is some hope for the franchise with a somewhat higher-budgeted reboot in the works. But as it stands, I think I'm pretty much done with the original series. "Axis Termination" musters up a very poor 2 out of 10. I wouldn't even really recommend it to fans.

Axis Termination is the final part of the Puppet Master Axis trilogy, and it's quite a disappointment, lacking the fun factor of the previous two films. It's an overly talky effort, with not enough puppet action, and the acting is decidedly dodgy: Paul Logan as heroic Captain Brooks is wooden, Kevin Scott Allen and Tonya Kay (boasting a Botox trout pout) hide their lack of talent behind dodgy German accents, whereas George Appleby as Russian doctor Ivan Ivanov doesn't even try, his cadence just bizarre.

The film also suffers from bad CGI for the numerous bullet hits (I hate CGI blood), a dreary plot that wastes its interesting 'psychics at war' concept, and uninspired direction from Charles Band, who tries to disguise his apparent lack of interest by swathing everything in strong primary coloured lighting.

Given the delightfully OTT approach Band took with Axis Rising, I had hoped that this one would reach hitherto unseen heights of outrageousness; instead, it all feels very underwhelming.

Well, the "Puppet Master" franchise haven't really ever managed to get back on its feet since after the third movie, which happened to be the best in the franchise. So I have to admit that I was a little bit hestitant about this 2017 movie. But I still opted to watch it, as I am doing a "Puppet Master" movie marathon.

Sure, it was nice to have Charles Band back at directing and writing, but I have to say that "Puppet Master: Axis Termination" just wasn't an outstanding addition to the franchise. The storyline in this 2017 movie felt very bland and generic. You could leave the movie running whilst you go to another room, then come back and still be up to speed with the storyline.

The acting performances in "Puppet Master: Axis Termination" were wooden and rigid, with some performers really carrying the torch for being able to deliver cringeworthy performances. Especially George Appleby's performance and his accent, it was just all over the place. The movie has a single familiar face on the cast list, and let's not dance around the bush here, because Paul Logan is not really top of the line.

Visually then "Puppet Master: Axis Termination" was okay. Not the best of special effects, but they did help make the movie all the more bearable to sit through.

"Puppet Master: Axis Termination" was a weak foray into the franchise, and it is a movie that I hadn't even heard about prior to sitting down in 2023 to watch it. And just as quietly as the movie snuck in under the radar, just as quietly will it dissolved into the mists of oblivion.

My rating of director Charles Band's 2017 movie "Puppet Master: Axis Termination" lands on a three out of ten stars.

The finale of the Axis trilogy and at time of writing (Excluding the reboot) the final movie in the franchise, this is further evidence that Puppet Master needs laying to rest alongside all the other horror franchises that ran beyond their time.

You know the drill by now, a group of "Patriots" during WWII team with the good puppets to face off against Germans and their evil puppets and...........yeah.

It follows on from the previous two Axis movies, but just barely. It stars Paul Hogan who hams it up to a painful degree, the majority of the rest of the cast aren't much better and truth be told this is the worst Puppet Master since Puppet Master: Legacy (2003)!

With recycled footage, barely any plot, same generic content and awful cast this was just so very very bad.

Remember when Puppet Master started and they were actual horrors? Sure they were campy and hard to take seriously but they at least had character. Then suddenly Full Moon and Charles Band decided to take them in a goofy direction and the series lost all credibility.

I'd say this is one for big fans of Puppet Master only, but be aware that if this truly is the final movie then it ends on a low note and doesn't culminate the story that's been going since the 80's in the slightest.

The Good:

One decent scene

The Bad:

Russian accent, really?

Pretty much everything

P Puppet Master: Axis Termination (2017) on Tubi is the final chapter in the Axis trilogy. The German forces are prepared to end the puppet threat once and for all, unaware that the puppets plan to infiltrate their base and bring down their reign of terror forever.

Directed by Charles Band (Trancers), this installment stars George Appleby (Game of Thrones), Tonya Kay (Saving My Baby), Paul Logan (Alien Apocalypse), Tania Fox (Art of the Dead), and Diana Prince (Evil Bong 888).

Despite Band's legacy with the Puppet Master series, this film feels notably different from earlier entries, and it's a disappointing conclusion to the Axis trilogy. I'd actually rank it among the three weakest films in the series. Overall, it may be worth watching for dedicated fans, but it doesn't stand out as one of the better entries. I'd score this a 3.5/10.