Puppet Master III: La revanche de Toulon

Maybe this isn't the "Citizen Kane" of rampaging puppet movies, but it's hard to deny the appeal of "Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge" as an extremely entertaining B-movie.

A prequel to the imaginative series, "Toulon's Revenge" recounts how Andre Toulon brought his puppets to life, how the Nazis tried to steal his experiments to raise their dead, and how Toulon struck back with the help of his puppets — Six-Shooter, Blade, Tunneler, Pin Head and Ms. Leech. The film features above-average acting for a Full Moon production, and Guy Rolfe convincingly portrays Toulon. Especially notable is Ian Abercrombie, who played Mr. Pitt in "Seinfeld," as Dr. Hess.

Of course, the highlight of this series is the puppets, and "Toulon's Revenge" does not disappoint. Both the live-action and stop-motion sequences are well-crafted and downright creepy.

Don't ask too many questions, like why the Germans speak English or why Toulon is presented as a good guy when the first "Puppetmaster" painted a much different picture. Just enjoy "Toulon's Revenge" for what it is: an entertaining prequel, no strings attached.

The most imaginative and best-acted title in the long-running PUPPETMASTER series, Part 3 is actually a prequel that details how Andrte Toulon came to create his puppets during the dark days of World War II. The Nazis wants to use Toulon's secrets to create an army of the undead, and that's when the fun begins. Toulon sics his killer puppets on the Nazis, to spectacularly bloody effect. The puppets are the good guys in this one. What also makes a huge difference here is the introduction of Guy "Mr. Sardonicus" Rolfe as Toulon, a role he would essay in two more sequels. Rolfe is a great Toulon, a charismatic and even sympathetic character who loves his deadly puppets as only a papa creator could. Rolfe lent an air of integrity and distinction to the series. Part 3 is a great little B-horror addition to the series that was shot on the Universal back lot instead of Europe to surprisingly solid effect. A must-see.

Toulon's Revenge is the best in the whole Puppet Master series (With the exception of part 1 of course. This one goes back to World War II where the Nazi's are p****d off because of Aundre Toulon's

puppet shows giving negative buzz about the Gustopo. And soon they discover that his puppets are actully alive and decide to use Toulon's technology to revive soldiers that were dead to replenish their army. Needless to say everything goes south and puppets spring into action to protect their master.

What makes this movie great is it tells who the puppets are and shows the making and birth of leech woman I give it a 10

This the third in series is a prequel and shares really a great backstory to the puppet master Andre Toulon (Guy Rolfe). Set in 1941 (so I suppose forget about the fact that he killed himself in 1939 in the original) Germany where the Nazis are after Toulon after he jokes toward Hitler during his puppet shows and also the knowledge that the puppets move on their own. For the Nazis want Toulon's secret for their own devious plans.

The one thing that really does set this film apart from the previous two and likely all that follow (I have only seen until part 6) is the acting. Guy Rolfe plays Toulon and really gives a great performance. The best portrayal of Toulon and extremely different than the Toulon in part 2. Richard Lynch as usual plays the bad guy, but here plays Major Kraus. He doesn't just look mean for there is more to his evil character than just that. Finally, Ian Abercrombie plays Dr. Hess who is heading Nazi research to bring the dead back to life. He as well does a fine job in portraying his character. Another thing is I feel this entry is well written by C. Courtney Joyner.

Now there are some things that were not around in 1941, for example nudie mags I don't think were around until the '50s, but I forgive this film for reasons I mentioned above, having characters I care about and it being by far the best I have seen in the series to date.

But what about the puppets, man? Yep, they are still creating havoc, but in this entry we see the creation of both Leech Woman and Blade. The new puppet here is Six-Shooter and I think he is my favourite puppet of the bunch.

Also starring Walter Gotell as General Mueller, Sarah Douglas as Toulon's wife Elsa and former adult movie star Michelle Bauer as Lili.

Generally regarded as the best of the "Puppet Master" series, "Puppet Master 3" has one thing that elevates it above #1 and #2, and that is Richard Lynch as the head Nazi who hunts puppets. Whenever Lynch is cast as the top villain, which is almost always, he does not disappoint. The story itself could best be described as a long game of hide and seek, with Guy Rolfe and his puppets constantly on the move trying to evade Lynch and his SS Troopers. Of course such a simplistic plot eventually wears thin, but the brief flashes of puppet violence help somewhat. Even though "Full Moon" offers a full line of toy puppets, the film is clearly not aimed at children due to the violence and nudity. Despite this questionable marketing, apparently there is an audience for this type of entertainment. - MERK