Puppet Master 5

I recently rewatched Puppetmaster V (1994) on Amazon Prime. The story continues with the college genius who has taken over as the Puppet Master after WWII, now in police custody after losing control of the puppets during their ongoing battle with an ancient spirit. The police bring him back in, hoping he can regain control of the puppets and stop the chaos. Meanwhile, the puppets have their own plan to rescue him while finishing off the spirits from Puppet Master 4.

Directed by Jeffrey Burr (From a Whisper to a Scream), the film stars Gordon Currie (My Blue Heaven), Chandra West (White Noise), Ron O'Neal (Super Fly), Teresa Hill (Bio-Dome), and Ian Ogilvy (Death Becomes Her).

Puppetmaster V maintains the same quality as Puppet Master 4, with a weak storyline and execution that doesn't quite match the stronger entries of the first three films. The acting is serviceable, but the real fun remains in watching the puppets in action. The film wraps up the story arc from Puppet Master 4 effectively, while leaving room for the series to explore new directions.

Overall, this is a must-see for fans of the series and horror enthusiasts, but it falls short of being a classic. I'd rate it 5/10.

First of all don't believe ALL of the harsh words that were said about this film. In my opinion it is definitely worth a try. Part six was MUCH worse. This one was creative and different as each movie in the series. I know what I am talking about; I've been a huge fan since I was a kid, I've seen all of the movies, and I even own a Blade replica. Maybe the reason why I liked this movie so much is because when I first saw it I was very young (yet at the same time an obsessed fan) and found the plot perfect for me: all of our favorite little puppets, including a very cool new one who only appears in parts four and five, are this time completely good and fighting pure evil and equally small enemies. It was neat seeing the puppets really work together, it was neat seeing them interact and communicate with humans in a friendly way for a change, and it was also neat that there was sequel that I could actually watch with my family. (keeping in mind that I was young and that the other films were much more "hard core", not that I didn't love the carnage candy myself) The point is we know that while these puppets are good they have done a million ultra-violent,perverse,maniacal, and destructive things, which makes a perfect stand off between our little anti-heros and the absolutely evil demons. And a lot of fans seem to forget that the puppets did not turn good, but in fact were always good. If you've seen part 3 you would know that they were nice people in life, and if you are a steady viewer in the puppets adventures you should notice the fact that the puppets up untill know have killed for only two reasons: survival or because their master(s) forced them to. So give the flick a try, I know that some of you will not like it but it is one of my favorites in the ever-expanding Puppet Master universe.

The final chapter… ah where have I heard this before? "Sorry your reservation has just been cancelled!" Well we know that's definitely not the case, as Full Moon's killer doll franchise is still kicking on. Chapter 5 pretty much follows on from the fourth film (as they were virtually shot back-to-back by director Jeff Burr with the same cast and crew) and I found it a little more enjoyable than previous instalment. After recapping what had already occurred, again the new puppet master Rick Myers must face up against the ancient Egyptian God Sutek who wants to destroy any sort of evidence about its reanimated ancient magic that Toulon had stolen and also cope with an interfering scientist played with devious glee by Ian Ogilvy.

The outlandish story layout is simply as before, repeating what happened in the fourth chapter (even with a storm brewing) but the pacing is a lot better and energy much more spruce with the Gothic seaside hotel having a little more of an impression. The thing was that the sequences involving Sutek just didn't seem to work (with its unconvincing voice reciting ridiculous dialogues and the dramatic body movements). It looked good it detail, but I preferred when it wasn't focusing on that demon. Director Jeff Burr ably constructs some atmospheric set-pieces, creating more a nightmarish tone like a very odd, but jarring dream sequence that was just as darkly unpleasant as any of the scenes from the original. Quite uneven in mood, due to its unbalanced material of humour and horror, but at times the goofiness does take away from it. Like some of the attack / death set-ups follow a formula; run, fall on ground, begin crawling and wrestle than die a bloody death. Not much else to it.

The illuminating special effects are just as potent as before with it colourful optical work and masterful puppet creations. The creativity shows in the puppet work forming their own characteristics, from the animation and the effective movements of the puppets. All the iconic puppets return, also with the new creation Decapitron that's inhabitant by the spirit Andre Toulon when resurrected by electricity. Modest acting by returning leads Gordon Currie and Chandra West. Teresa Hill returns in a lesser part and Guy Rolfe. Ian Ogilvy is great and Clu Gulager makes a cameo appearance. There's good support by Nicholas Guest, Willard E. Pugh and Duane Whitaker.

Between Puppet Master 4 and 5, you'd have one full movie's worth of plot. Maybe.

PM5 here picks up almost exactly where PM4 ends, to the point where it kinda feels more like the next episode of a television series. It's a lot of the same actors, a lot of the same sets even, and an extended (we're talking like 5-10 minute) recap of the previous movie.

Unfortunately this makes it less of a movie than even the last one. I was shocked to look down at the runtime and see 25 minutes remaining even though basically nothing had happened yet. It spins and spins and spins its wheels, retreading a lot of the action of the previous movie, but with fewer puppet scenes and less effects.

So while I was willing to forgive Puppet Master 4 as simple "dumb fun", Puppet Master 5 isn't nearly as charming or as weird. It's just kind of tiresome.

Filmed back to back with Puppet Master 4, this film picks up just 24 hours after the last one and the Demon itself transports itself to our world to finish the puppet master.

Again, as with all the Puppet Master Movies, switch your brain off and just sit back and enjoy - Do not try and make sense of the plot as the Movies are quite disjointed and out of chronological order.

Its more of the same silly fun as last time. Effects are as excellent for the time as they have always been, especially for a low budget production.

That said, the film has also managed to pull in Major talent in the form of Ian Ogilvy - A very well respected actor who plays a perfect slime ball as always...