Puppetmaster (BLU-RAY) [1989]

When a movie spawns this many sequels, one would assume the original source material must be one helluva ride. However, after viewing this late '80s franchise starter - I was left a little bemused as to what all the fuss was about...Anyhoo, enough of my whining, let's get on with the show. We begin in 1939 where elderly toy maker André Toulon (William Hickey) is now residing in Bodega Bay - a luxury hotel situated in California. Surrounded by his menagerie of 'friendly' puppets (who communicate with him due to some weirdo magic schtick), he lives his life painting their red, rosy cheeks and dodging the attention of the führer. Problem is, 'ol Toulon's been rumbled and those darn Nazi's want his puppets - no matter the cost. Fast forward 50 years later and the hotel is now descended upon by a group of folks (led by Paul LeMat's Alex, Irene Miracle's Dana, Matt Roe's Frank and Kathryn O'Reilly's Carrisa) who have discovered this was Toulon's last hiding place. Cue a series of bizarre murders as the group investigate and soon discover that the puppeteer's tiny buddies aren't all that friendly anymore (Sooty and Sweep would not be amused by their antics) and will stop at nothing to protect the secrecy of their long dead progenitor...I'm a big fan of producer Charles Band and his Empire/Full Moon output. Sure, they're low budget and largely bonkers - but at least the guy does sometimes produce a gem (see 'Dolls', 'Castle Freak', 'From Beyond', 'Trancers' and ... erm... 'Ghoulies') alongside a plethora of well, not so many gems. I hadn't seen the original 'Puppetmaster' before and as the fine folks at 88 Films (who've been doing a splendid job of bringing Mr Bands' filmography to blu-ray) had released the film, I decided to give it a spin. Sadly, it wasn't the barnstorming series kickstarter I was expecting. Sure, its not terrible or beyond hope - but I guess I went in thinking this would be something special, given the subsequent empire that has been built on its name since... Director David Schmoeller, who is a much underrated helmer handles the movie well, but the screenplay by Kenneth J. Hall (and Schmoeller) fails to take off into any interesting directions, basically staying safe with a very generic ''hey, let's walk up and down dark corridors for 80 minutes whilst the odd puppet attacks us!'' scenario which gets stale very fast. The actors (who are genuinely good in their own right) seem adrift with the material - LeMat especially - and it is only Irene Miracle, Matt Roe and a scenery chewing bad guy turn from 'Ghost Town's' Jimmie F. Skaggs who come out largely unscathed (his endless turning up out of nowhere is a highlight). Miracle especially creates an interesting character and in a puppet attack sequence set in an elevator, makes the struggle seem remarkably realistic and tense. She and director Schmoeller (plus editor Thomas Meshelski) ensure that sequence is wrung for all its worth and stands as a frustrating example of what could have been...88 Films' UK blu-ray release is another fine addition for Charles Band fans. As well as a nice transfer and vibrant audio, we get a commentary track from Band, original making of entitled 'No Strings Attached', intro to the movie by Band and the usual assortment of Full Moon trailers. All in all, its hard for me to rag on this flick as it is well meaning and director Schmoeller deserves more love than he's afforded (check out his excellent 'Tourist Trap' for further proof of his underappreciated talent) - yet the film does fall short of expectations and feels like a hasty warm up for future installments. Who knows, perhaps it was. Granted, the puppet effects (by David Allen) are superb and mainly the reason for this film to exist - so, if that's your bag, dive right in. However, others looking for top notch pint sized thrills 'n spills, may need to dig out 'Dolls' one more time…

This film is amazing! I mean i stumbled apron this franchise just randomly and now i am now, obsessed. I really wanna watch more of the puppet master movies. The puppets, Pinhead, Jester, Tunneller and even Blade were great but however i'm not really a fan of Leach woman, she wasn't at all the best part of the movie and i found it very hard to watch at times. That will be my only compliant about this movie. Also in the scene with Andre, i felt was very heartbreaking, it was so sad just to see him go, he was such a good father figure to the puppets.The movie has got the best gore and one or two moments in the movie were really scary and intense. I think that will franchise has a lot of potential to be unique, different, unlike the chunky horror movies its about killer puppets. Its a new and fresh idea of horror.Also by the way the film has an 18! so don't watch it if you're 13 or under. Thank you amazon. :)

I saw this a long time ago & still enjoyed it, my husband hadn’t seen it before but he enjoyed it too, great video!

This is the first in a long running series of Puppet Master films. Its an enjoyable little film, with great special effects and an involving story.In a pre titles sequence we see Puppet Master Andre Toulon take his own life, as assassins approach his room, but not before he has hidden his magical puppets in a hidden panel.Then the story turns to the present day, where four psychics have been summoned by a fifth Neil Gallagher, to the same Hotel where Toulon died. It seems they have all been taking part in research into Toulon's secrets of animating his puppets. When they arrive, they are greeted by Gallagher's wife, who informs them that he has died, having taken his own life. He may be dead, but there is something else alive in the Hotel, something determined that the Psychics wont discover Toulon's secrets.The actors are all good, but its the murderous mannequins that are the real stars of the film. They are all excellently animated, and theres much fun to be had as they dispose of their human enemies. My particular favourite is Ms Leech who vomits leeches onto her victims body, draining them of blood.Having praised the film, I must add that I feel it is a tad overrated, and not the classic many hail it as. Very enjoyable all the same.The DVD release I am reviewing is excellent, with extras including a making of documentary. I give the film a solid 3 out of 5

puppet master and other killer dolls or puppet related films have always been my favorite type filmmwhen i first saw this in the movies i have been hooked on the series all the puppets have all had that special piece of horror in them. Its just a shame 4,5,7,8 didn't do quiet as well as this one anyway let get back down to earth. we start of a group of sikets have been called together by neil gallar who has been looking into the work of a old puppet master in the 20's who was said to have dicovered the secert of life when the sikets get there lead by Alex witicgar they find that neil is dead after quiet alot of move the body around game it soon becomes clear that neil is not dead and has brought himself back to life useing the powers of the puppet master he controls the puppets to kill the rest of the inmates of until alex and the owner (neils wife) are left neil and her now must do anything to stop the puppets and neil bofore they are both killed but blade, pinhead, ms leech, jester and tunneler have other ideas.

Puppet Master comes to UK Blu Ray for the first time, courtesy of 88 Films. It's nice to see more 1980's horror classics coming to Blu Ray. The new Remaster of the film looks brilliant. It comes with a small booklet,and reversible cover art for both the original and newly commissioned art. I prefer the original art myself. I'm a sucker for original art.I have uploaded some pictures check them out.Overall Rating8/10