Its been a decade since theyve last been let out of the box, but the eponymous puppet master and his murderous marionettes finally return in this, the ninth official entry in the long running horror franchise.
This latest sequel follows the events of the third film in the franchise, opening on the sleepy Californian coastal town of Bodega Bay. The year is 1939, and while World War II rages on throughout Europe and Asia, legendary puppet maker Andre Toulon is living a reclusive existence at the local inn. Nearby, a young handicapped carpenter, Danny Coogan (Fiehler), labours on through a humdrum nine to five while his elder brother Don (Graham) prepares for deployment to the battlefields of France.
Pining for excitement, Danny decides to offer his renowned expertise to Toulon; the reclusive gent perishes under mysterious circumstances. Determined to expose the truth behind Toulons death, Danny is led down a dangerous path becoming entangled in a world of murderous puppets, villainous Nazis and a sinister plot masterminded by a beautiful Japanese saboteur.
Now in its 22nd year, this latest addition to the Puppet Master franchise might alienate the uninitiated, but should offer plenty to keep returning fans happy. Early franchise veteran David DeCoteau returns for his forth turn in the directors chair, while a whole host of murderous puppets, both old and new, tick plenty of boxes.
The plot, a madcap mingling of war story, magic and blood lusting puppets throws up plenty of pleasing sequences, with a gleeful approach to its colourful characters and manic narrative. The story is unsurprisingly ludicrous, but plays to its strengths and makes few apologies for itself. Theres no winking to camera or wisecracking to excuse its silly nature, and the film feels the better for it. The script is simple and characters are paper thin, resulting in an enjoyable enough way to kill 90 minutes.
Another pleasant surprise is the films production values. Things dont outshine a modest budget, but the era is captured surprisingly well. Sets seem authentic and substantial, make up and costume convincing. Central hero Danny is also an endearing lead, the scenes with his mother and brother both warm and inviting, and well played by all.
But while theres plenty to be commended, there are plenty of problems. The puppets in question lack any real character, and many of the supporting turns lack energy. And, while the story itself is simple enough theres too much exposition to previous films and too much of an air of to be continued lingering before credits roll.
Overall Verdict: Fans of the series will know what to expect and will find something to enjoy, but everyone else will have a hard time taking to the puppet master and his murderous creations.
Special Features:
No Strings Attached Featurette
Trailer
Reviewer: David Steele