PUPPET MASTER

(A.k.a. PUPPETMASTER)

Bodega Bay Inn, 1939. Acclaimed puppet maker Toulon (William Hickey) sits in his room there, surrounded by his prized creations while working on his latest and listening to a scratchy vinyl recording.

Suddenly one of his puppets moves, and gives him the heads up that a couple of Nazi policemen are approaching. As they reach his room and pull out their weapons, Toulon blows his own brains out: the secret that they so desperately wanted to extract from him has gone for good.

Or has it? Several decades later (present day, in fact), and a motley crew of people with psychic abilities are summoned to gather at Bodega Bay Inn. It’s now owned by Toulon’s ancestor, Megan (Robin Frates). She was married to a leading expert in all things psychic and paranormal, Neil (Jimmie F Skaggs).

Over dinner that evening, we learn that Megan has gathered this disparate bunch – disturbed loner Alex (Paul Le Mat), kinky Yale University doctors Frank (Matt Roe) and Clarissa (Kathryn O’Reilly), and carnival fortune teller Dana (Irene Miracle) – because Neil has committed suicide and she hopes that they, being old acquaintances of his, will be able to shed some light on the mysterious project he was working on at the time of his death.

The group sticks around, also keen to discover the truth. They’re aware that Neil was obsessed in finding out how the Egyptians used magic to bring "inanimate figurines" to life (something Toulon was rumoured to have also achieved) … and Frank in particular wants to latch on to this for financial gain.

Dana, on the other hand, is often drunk and describes herself as a "nasty bitch": she’s seemingly there for no other reason than to cause trouble. In contrast, Alex has the ability to dream about things that haven’t yet happened – and is there to ensure a premonition he had about Megan doesn’t come true.

When Neil’s body starts popping up in various rooms of Megan’s disused hotel, the group believe missing housemaid Theresa (Mews Small) may be playing a prank on them. But the truth is, they’re not alone …

So … who’s moving Neil’s body? Is he really dead? And, if so, who is instructing the puppets to kill Megan’s guests … and why?

With a premise that is as ridiculous as it is original, a cult following seemed assured from the start for PUPPET MASTER, shot in 1989 under the guidance of Charles Band’s prolific Full Moon Pictures production company. Director David Schmoeller ensures this is the case, throwing in plenty of female nudity, hammy acting and cheap gore FX to satiate the needs of exploitation fans.

Production values are good-looking, with fine use of colour-filtered lighting and grandiose locations benefitting the film’s aesthetics. Also, it helps to have Sergio Salvati as the cinematographer.

Elsewhere, Richard Band’s score is as reliable as ever. Although more orchestral at times, at others it sounds alarmingly similar to his work on RE-ANIMATOR. That’s not a bad thing.

The FX are decent, especially if you like stop-motion animation and minor gore being combined.

Although always handsome and blessed with a deft balance between its humour and horror, it is unfortunate that the film suffers in the pacing department. Despite some great set-piece scenes (an S&M sex scene-gone-wrong being my favourite) and cameos from the likes of Hickey and Barbara Crampton, things seem to sag terribly in the middle, leaving the finale feeling somewhat rushed.

Perhaps this is due to the cast being less than stellar Miracle’s southern accent is cringe-inducing), and incapable of breathing energy into Band’s often clunky screenplay.

88 Films’ impressive first line of UK releases continues to shine with this highly accomplished blu-ray.

The film looks great in this 1080p HD restoration. Presented as an MPEG4-AVC signal, the 16x9 picture often boasts remarkable clarity: detail in close-up scenes is sometimes startling. Some exterior shots do look softer in comparison but, by and large, this is an excellent rendition of the film. Sharp, natural, film-like - it’s a great presentation, the odd speck here notwithstanding.

Anyone who bought the US blu-ray should note that this is a brand new, superior restoration to the one used there.

English audio comes in a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix that makes you sit and up and take notice. Clean, clear and expertly balanced: what’s not to enjoy?

The disc’s animated main menu page includes pop-up sub-menus. Among these is a scene-selection menu enabling access to the main feature via 24 chapters.

Extras begin with an optional 5-minute introduction to the film from a surprisingly young-looking Band. Shot in HD, this finds the prolific filmmaker at home in his office (check out the sirens that can be heard from the neighbouring police station), talking merrily about the film’s shoot, release and subsequent sequels.

Next up are two enjoyably thorough commentary tracks. The first is from Band and moderator Chris Gore (NOT my mate from KillMeWithMovies!); the second is from Justin Kerswell. As with the optional intro, these can be accessed through the disc’s ‘set up’ sub-menu.

We also get a 7-minute archive Making Of documentary entitled "No Strings Attached". This is a self-important EPK-style affair, complete with excitably deep male voiceover. This comes in a window-boxed standard definition presentation.

The film’s 98-second original trailer is a fun affair, presented in 16x9 HD.

Finally, there are trailers for CASTLE FREAK, KILLER EYE: HALLOWEEN HAUNT, EVIL BONG 2, EVIL BONG 3, GINGERDEADMAN 2, GINGERDEADMAN 3, KILLJOY’S REVENGE, DEMONIC TOYS’ REVENGE and SKULL HEADS.

PUPPET MASTER is fun if flawed. It works well as undemanding entertainment and its impressive production values really shine through on 88 Films’ excellent blu-ray release.

Review by Stuart Willis