Bride of Chucky

The sensational, virtually irrational association of the Child's Play films with the murder of the Liverpool boy Jamie Bulger has proved one of the more enduring instances of tabloid opportunism. Assuming we can address this third sequel on its merits as opposed to its demonic properties, it's by some way the best of the killer doll series, and as stylish and witty a horror movie as you could want. Tilly has a lot of fun as bleached blonde trailer trash Tiffany, Chucky's old chick when he was still just your average flesh-and-blood psychotic. Having studied 'Voodoo for Dummies', Tiffany reckons she can bring her rubber lover back to life. Unfortunately, things don't exactly go to plan, and a revitalised but still pissed off Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) decides he has to cut Doll face down to size. With the unwitting aid of runaway teens Stabile and Heigl, the deadly duo embark on a cross-country murder spree. HK director Ronny Yu and screenwriter Don Mancini approach their assignments with infectious absurdist glee. Cinematic in-jokes (notably alluding to Whale's Bride of Frankenstein) and ingenious murders (it must be a challenge to make these pint pots threatening) give it a Scream-like postmodern sensibility, but with a surreal quality all its own.