When Child’s Play 2 arrived in the winter of 1990, the movie proved to be a sensation once more. America could get enough to the creepy doll that was possessed by the soul of a serial killer. While it took two years between the first and the second, there would be very little waiting for the next installment. The studio wanted more Chucky. Child’s Play 3 arrived 9 months later even though the film claimed to take place 8 years after the first. It was a bit of jump for horror fans when the lights went down at the cineplex on August 30, 1992. Chucky was going back to school too.
After almost decade after Andy destroyed Chucky at the toy factory, things have changed. Andy hasn’t worked out in various foster homes. His mom is still institutionalized. So now the teenage Andy (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman‘s Justin Whalin) has been shipped off to the Kent Military Academy. His hair gets shorn, and he’s forced to dress like a soldier. Maybe this will straighten him out from thinking a doll killed people around him? He makes a new friend in a much younger Tyler (Jeremy Sylvers) and finds himself attracted to female cadet Kristin (Entourage‘s Perrey Reeves). Things are looking good even if the school’s commandant is a jerk. Things take a bad turn when Andy discovers that Play Pals reviving the Good Guys dolls line. People are more nostalgic for the doll. It’s been 8 years since that rumor that one of their dolls went nuts and killed people. Who remembers that? They started up the production factory to crank out more Good Guys. In a cost saving mood, they melted down the older dolls that were laying around the factory including the shredded Chucky. What could go wrong. Play Pals C.E.O. Sullivan (Robot Wars‘ Peter Haskell) learns quickly what cutting corners can cost the company. Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) pays a visit to his office to file a complaint. After a management shakeup, Chucky locates Andy for another try at getting a real body. Instead of cross-country hitchhiking, Chucky mails himself to the military academy. They’re going to need an army to stop him from claiming Andy’s body.
Child’s Play 3 is a bit of a jolt with the changing of the Andys. After getting used to Alex Vincent for the first two films, the arrival of Justin Whalin takes a bit of adjustment. He’s supposed to play a much older Andy so very quickly he slides into the role. Alex does return to the role in Curse of Chucky, Cult of Chucky and USA’s Chucky series. But for this film, Justin is the man who finishes off this original Child’s Play trilogy. Having Chucky going against the military is a nice touch even if it is kiddies in khakis. The big finale has Chucky fighting Andy at a carnival’s roller coaster on top of a mountain of skulls. It does up the game from the previous two finales.
Chucky made a major impact with 3 films in 4 years. The studio would take a little time off before returning the doll to the big screen with Bride of Chucky in 1998. What’s great about the Child’s Play series is the original writer Don Mancini has been a driving force on all the films and the movies. Mancini’s constant presence matters here as much as Brad Dourif. Child’s Play is a bit more than corporate fan fiction. Getting to see the first three Child’s Play movies on 4K UHD allows a viewer to savor a horror series that flourished when quite a few were losing creative gas.
The video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The transfer is a 4K scan of the original camera negative in Dolby Vision. You’ll see the details in Chucky’s face when he slices and dices. The audio is Dolby Atmos Track. There’s also a DTS-MA HD 2.0 of the theatrical mix. You’ll hear
DISC ONE (FEATURE FILM – 4K UHD):
Audio Commentary with Director Jack Bender allows him to talk about his approach to the Chucky franchise. He has had an amazing career in directing hour long television including Lost, Game of Thrones and The Sopranos.
Audio Commentary With Producer Robert Latham Brown goes into what it took to wrap up Child’s Play 2 and be going full force into Child’s Play 3. He talks about getting to direct the opening factory scene.
DISC TWO (FEATURE FILM & SPECIL FEATURES – BLU-RAY):
Audio Commentary with Director Jack Bender is the same as the 4K UHD.
Audio Commentary With Producer Robert Latham Brown is the same as 4K UHD.
Ride The Frightening (`13:`18) lets writer Don Mancini talk about his third time writing for Chucky. He started the script while Child’s Play 2 was in post-production. He admits that the film isn’t his best script. He goes into working with director Jack Bender. There’s quite a bit of discussion about the cast. He felt that a few of the actors weren’t quite what he had conceived in the script.
War Games (5:48) interview With Actress Perrey Reeves about how she thought Child’s Play was more horrific until she was cast in it. She appreciated how her character was tough and compassionate like Linda Hamilton’s character in Terminator 2.
Chucky Goes East (6:34) sits down with Executive Producer David Kirschner. He was excited about getting to make a third film in the franchise. He hired director Jack Bender based on Dreamer of Oz. He kind of regrets hiring Bender since he wasn’t into horror. Bender did go on to make episodes of The Sopranos and Game of Thrones. He deals with not bringing back Alex Vincent to play Andy a third time.
Carnivals And Campouts (4:21) gets a recap from Producer Robert Latham Brown about how they made the film on a fast schedule. Brown directed the titles sequence when Chucky is brought back to life. He talks about the nightmare of the outdoor shoot that was hit with a nasty ran. He was in charge of renting a carnival. He snuck his kids into the film without them knowing it.
Midway Centurions (4:15) catches up with Actor Michael Chieffo. His wife was in Child’s Play 2. And he showed up in Child’s Play 3 as a security guard. He had become pals with Don Mancini which led to the role. He goes into what was the hardest part of playing dead.
Shear Terror (7:36) meets up with Makeup Artist Craig Reardon. He was called for the first film, but they wanted him to work with the people. He wanted to work as Chucky so he backed away. He got involved with Child’s Play 3 because of director Jack Bender. He goes into how to pull off a throat cutting effect.
Unholy Mountain (6:58) chats with Production Designer Richard Sawyer. He talks about creating sets with the puppet and his support staff. He describes the original ending and how Chucky was supposed to be killed. He came up with killing Chucky in the amusement park with the tower of skulls.
Theatrical Trailer (1:40) takes Chucky to Hell on Earth – Military School. “Look Who’s Stalking” is the catch phrase.
TV Spot (0:3“1) promises to get rid of your end of summer blues.
Additional Scenes From The Broadcast Version (5:38) are taken off times the movie ran at Sci Fi and USA. We see how Andy and Tyler meet on the bus.
Scream Factory presents Child’s Play 3: Collector’s Edition. Directed by Jack Bender. Screenplay by Don Mancini. Starring Justin Whalin, Perrey Reeves, Travis Fine, Dean Jacobson and Brad Dourif. Running Time: 90 minutes. Rating: Rated R. Release Date: August 16, 2022.
