by 
The approach of a new year brings forth the opportunity to reflect and remember. With that in mind, I have chosen to look back at a slightly more obscure horror franchise (but no less lucrative and beloved amongst horror film maniacs) than that of the likes of Chucky, Jason, Freddy, Leatherface and Mr. Myers. Yes, ’tis the season to look back and salute Blade, Pin Head, Tunneler, Leech Woman, Six-Shooter, Torch, Jester and of course, Andre Toulon. I have chosen to discuss the first three films of this never-ending franchise as they are the ones I have seen and, from what I have heard, known to be the best ones. Nevertheless, I do plan on seeing the full franchise someday.
There is something completely irresistible about these three Puppet Master movies. To be sure, at times, they fall in the so bad it’s good category (particularly #2); but they are also a complete and unique cinematic experience. All stars aligned for Full Moon Entertainment on this franchise. I will cite four things that I feel have made these three films great:
- the choice of locations (Bodega Bay Inn feels almost like a character)
- the overall choice of actors (special mentions to Guy Rolfe and Richard Lynch in #3)
- the incredible story (w/ backstory in #3) of Andre Toulon: how his legend echoes through #1 that, in turn, impacts #2
- the simple, yet catchy/fun/creepy music
- the puppets
The superb stop-motion animation (courtesy of FX whiz David Allen), combined with exceptionally clever camera work/sound design and the craftsmanship that went into making these puppets, conjure a feeling that these creatures are as real as the characters in the movie see them to be. They feel alive in more ways that I can describe and all individually achieve a certain coolness. I was shocked and moved, in #3, when Toulon explained that these puppets were all once people who died before their time. It all made perfect sense to me.
As for the films on an individual basis, #1 is the most charming of the bunch featuring a group of psychics, led by clairvoyant academic Alex Whitaker, who unite at the infamous Bodega Bay Inn to investigate the recent death of a former colleague who was after Toulon’s secret of eternal life. Puppet Master 1 is exquisitely campy and the perfect combination of entertainment and horror.
#2 gets even more tongue-in-cheek with an immensely theatrical Toulon back from the dead and in an outfit that needs to be seen to be believed! In this campier (though slightly weaker) second chapter, paranormal field researchers break into Bodega Bay Inn after hearing rumors regarding the occurrences in #1, events now considered almost urban legend. Too bad they arrived just as the puppets have resurrected their master who is hell-bent on having them collect as much brain-matter as possible for his eternal life miracle potion. I loved that these so-called experts in paranormal research only set up security cameras to attempt to solve their quest. This is the extent of what they do as paranormal researchers, though it does lead to the best single camera shot perhaps in the 3 films.
#3 switches gears with a complete change to a more dramatic tone. Puppet Master 3, the best and most cinematically impressive of the bunch, also works on the level of action film. Set in Berlin during WWII, the story has Toulon’s wife be killed by Nazis trying to uncover his secret. Toulon then turns around and goes Charles Bronson on the Nazis, exacting revenge on those who took away his one true love. For what is still essentially a low-budget indie horror, #3 achieves the scope of a big budget dramatic epic. I was completely moved and riveted by Toulon’s sad revenge. The film explains in further detail the story of Andre Toulon and turns the Puppet Master himself into some sort of hero, which was a refreshing change of pace in the franchise.
Here’s to you and your stringless marionettes, Andre Toulon! May you truly live forever… in the hearts of horror movie fans.
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