Puppet Master: Axis Of Evil Review

• 30th Dec 2010

Robot Jox, Trancers, Demonic Toys, Dollman, Subspecies, Ghoulies and, of course, The Puppet Master. All of these and countless more are attributed to producer-film-maker Charles Band. By and large the films were terrible and yet managed to retain a cult appeal about them. Was it the inventiveness of the ideas, was it the video covers being a lot better than the films represented within? Who honestly knows. But Band’s films have been on the direct to video market for over three decades now and are still ploughing full steam ahead.

The production value is down, the acting is even worse, the directing awful, the picture quality and effects – well they are improving thankfully – but that isn’t saying much when even the cheapest of Hollywood horrors can muster together half decent effects when they try.

This time round the latest instalment in The Puppet Master (the first in ten years!) series brings us a dismal tale of young heroics in the late 30s going up against the Nazis. An evil plot involving a bomb and the murder of the dolls maker Toulon is set in action and it is up to our new young hero to do what is right. Of course it is the doll action that leads the way in the finale when each gets their moment to do something quite grisly to deserving foes.

There was a time when these puppets were the antagonists of the films, and here they have switched to the side of good. Sadly, the middle of the film is lumbered with some of the most poorly acted, boring scenes between forgettable actors you are likely to see for a while.

Thankfully though. there is a very melodic, fairytale-esque score driving the film, although there is little saving it. However, it is, at least, worth pointing out that someone on this production had some talent at their disposal. This still does not explain why Band’s films have managed to sustain such longevity?

Puppet Master 9 doesn’t bring us much by way of the new. The disc includes a trailer and a brief behind the scenes for those still lingering.

Steven Hurst