Dolls

It’s a terrible pity about the clichéd genre layout and especially the nonsensical, would-be mysterious ending and the hopeless conclusion, because there was potential here for a chilling horror predecessor of Toy Story 3. If we leave aside the hypothetical possibilities, it is all too apparent in Dolls that what was most important to Gordon was always the mechanical effects, while the context in which he presented them was then necessarily secondary. Thanks to Ed Naha’s screenplay, however the film also contains a number of principal motifs about the relationship that children and adults have with toys, as well as about growing up. But instead of elaborating on these motifs, Dolls is based on changing up a classic horror premise (Price’s films with haunted houses and deranged hosts) and building a straightforwardly entertaining genre flick. With its dramaturgical construction and modest runtime, the result comes across more like a mediocre contribution to The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt. (28.01.2015)

It was quite fun, but I can’t avoid feeling mildly disappointed. I think I will never ceased to be amazed by the 80s fondness for over the top characters that are totally detached from reality. In Dolls there isn’t anyone who’s normal (the pussy-whip, the evil stepmother, the smart fantasising little girl, the teenage boy, the first punk girl, the second punk girl, the magic granny and grandpa, the killer doll...quite a team they are), that bothers and annoys me quite a lot, to be honest. I could put up with a couple of characters like that, but not the entire cast! It doesn't let the film build a horror atmosphere to generate fear, and the only choice you have is try to have fun. I’m not saying it’s ineffective, but I prefer thoroughbred comedies. 65% PS: And with that ending, Gordon, go sod yourself. (18.05.2010)