REVIEW: “Child’s Play” (1988)

Yep. Even stupider than it looks here.

TAGLINE: You’ll wish it was only make-believe.

SYNOPSIS: A single mother gives her son a doll for his birthday. Eventually, they discover the doll is possessed with the soul of a serial killer, who resumes his killing spree in doll form. But Serial Killer Doll recognizes his murderin’ days are numbered, unless he can assume human form. And the kid seems like his best prospect.

EVALUATION: High camp, bad period dress and hair, a stillborn – and spectacularly silly – concept, and leaden execution: Yes, folks, it’s all here, the hallmarks of bad 80’s horror. The score is OK, though, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Catherine Hicks, but sweet fluffy Buddha, this thing stinks. Part of the problem is the premise. It’s nearly impossible to create plausible horror using the hoary mannikin/dummy/doll premise. “Magic” did it OK, and “Dead Silence” had its moments; I can’t really think of anything else, save for a strong “Night Gallery” episode with Karen Black. That one gave me nightmares.