Chucky's seed withers, dies

"Seed of Chucky" is the fifth film in the "Child's Play" series. The film takes a large step away from the four previous films in terms of style, however. The series has always had an edge of humor as Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) sprouts off one-liners while he kills people. In "Seed of Chucky," though, the humor is fully embraced as the movie joins the new subgenre of horror-comedy along with films like "Club Dread" and "Shaun of the Dead."\nIn "Seed of Chucky," Chucky and Tiffany (voiced by Jennifer Tilly) are currently inanimate and being used in the filming of a movie about the Chucky lesson. Glen ("Lord of the Rings'" Billy Boyd) is a living doll who doesn't know his parents and is having recurring nightmares about committing murders. Glen is a pacifist, so the nightmares horrify him. He wishes to find his parents, so when he discovers Chucky and Tiffany are his parents, he rushes to Hollywood where he proceeds to bring the deadly duo back to life.\nOne major problem with the film is the lack of continuity that exists between this film and its predecessor "Bride of Chucky." Questions about how Chucky and Tiffany ended up on a Hollywood set and Glen's birth are not explained and can be a source of agitation. At the same time, it is a movie about a possessed doll and his family, so obviously reality (and therefore continuity) is thrown out the window.\nThe film is rather funny. The ludicrousness of a doll family trying to become conventional is the source of a lot of laughter. Also, the film does have a lot of cheap laughs that carry some humor (the Britney Spears death is particularly pleasing). The murders are entertaining as well, with a variety of styles and methods. On the other hand, don't go into the film expecting to be scared at all. Even the most squeamish of movie watchers wouldn't be put off by this film. Also, some of the jokes do go too far or try too hard to be funny. The idea of the dolls as sexual beings is rather disturbing.\nEven though the film does have its highlights, it is very difficult to say it is worth spending $6 (or $8) to see in the theater. It's not a bad film, there's just nothing in it that's special at all. You would probably be just as well off watching the first four "Child's Play" movies and waiting for the film to come out on DVD. But if you're set on going, be sure to grab a bucket of popcorn and be prepared for a decent film, just nothing extraordinary.