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.

So in this third segment of the Puppet Master Epic, we are transported back to World War II and the Nazi's. Forever looking for the upper hand the German military command has come across rumours of Andre Toulon. It's said his marionette show has puppets without strings. If the Riech could mobilise such a force then they would be unstoppable. After Toulon refuses to help Major Kraus his wife Elsa is murdered. Upon his escape, helped by his trustworthy puppets, Toulon sets out for revenge.

Even though this is primarily a revenge story the writers, Charles Band and C Courtney Joiner, give the audience so much more. There's intrigue, adventure, action, and human interest. This tome is one of the better and stronger stories in the collection. This makes this film a rarity... it's better than the original. Like that movie, this straddles a few genres. This isn't just a horror flick. You have dark fantasy and chiller elements in the tale too. The best thing about this film is the fact the puppets are not evil. Killers yes, evil no. For example, when Jester has to attack to save Toulon he looks positively worried as he dashes across the floor. The brilliant thing with Jester is his ability to change the emotions on his face. So, yes he looks worried but he still attacks. It's still this dichotomy, for me, that lifts the story above the average and away from the horror genre.

Add to this the nice direction of David DeCoteau, who has no trouble getting down to the marionettes level, and the film gets stronger. It's also wonderful he had a bigger budget. Whereas the two previous films had limited sets, here we have over five different locations and some outdoor shots. DeCoteau is good at using subtle lighting to create atmosphere along with a sense of unease, and the soundtrack helps with this creation.

The special effects are beautiful and gruesome - the end Major Kraus puppet especially. Done in low light so he's silhouetted just makes it eerier to see. Add the blood jettisoning from his wrist and I admit I, "Oooh"'ed. The puppets themselves were handled brilliantly and the numerous techniques should keep the viewer asking, "how did they do that?" It was expressly nice to see the creation of Leech Woman.

Then we have the acting. Once again, this is stronger than the previous films. On the whole, Guy Rolfe is good as Toulon, though when his wife is murdered the acting is a little apathetic. I expected more anger and outrage. The star of this show is Richard Lynch as Major Kraus. He has the perfect tone to the character and makes the film with his easy nastiness. Now I love Walter Gotell, he's such a superb actor, and he is here as General Mueller... though I have to ask myself did he take the part because most his role was set in a brothel and he was surrounded by semi-clad beautiful girls... Hhmmm!

This is the second film in the series that I would gladly recommend. For me though, the first movie still has something, which is elusive for me to name, that makes it a film to rewatch time after time. If you're a multi-genre fan, based primarily in horror and dark fantasy, you should enjoy this film. It is very enjoyable and an ideal way to spend a creepy dark night in with your beloved...

Feel free to check out my Absolute Horror, Obsidian Dreams (Fantasy), and Killer Thriller Chillers lists to see where this movie ranks - or to check for an interesting movie to watch.

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.

Full Moon's attempt at a World War II flick on a low budget is ambitious. Yeah, the acting is a little wooden (what do you expect from puppets? heh), but Lynch, Wolfe, Abercrombie, and Gottell all do okay. Setting up Lynch's character as a puppet is a cute touch since Blade does look like him. This gives some background to the puppets, and sets them up as the potential good guys for subsequent sequels and to take advantage of their popularity. Overall, entertaining.

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