Puppet Master (1989)

A group of psychics gather together to pay their respects to a deceased colleague. Except they actually have another agenda, to learn the secrets of a famed alchemist named André Toulon (played in a short sequence at the start of the movie by William Hickey). And their colleague may be hiding something from them all. It's not long until people start wandering off on their own, which allows them to be terrorised and picked off by Toulon's deadly creations, some killer puppets.

Directed by David Schmoeller, who also worked on the screenplay from a story idea by Charles Band and Kenneth J. Hall, Puppet Master is the first in what would be the most successful series for Full Moon Features (in terms of fan loyalty and number of instalments). Unless I am forgetting another obvious contender.

All of the elements are in place here that let you know this is from the house that Band built. There's a very familiar score from Richard Band, a cast full of relative unknowns, with the exception of Hickey in his small role and Paul Le Mat as someone who turns out to be the lead, in a number of ways. There's a sprinkling of nudity, creative use of the low budget (done better here than in so many other Full Moon Features movies), and a few scenes that recycle footage from earlier scenes. And, of course, you get the main killers, which are among some of the best diminutive creations to be enjoyed in this kind of non-theatrical fare. The film was originally due to be released in cinemas, but Band figured he would make more in the home entertainment market. It's hard to argue against him when you think of how these films have maintained their following for the past thirty years.

The cast are all there to play second fiddle to the puppets, which they all seem fine with. While nobody is doing their very best work, nobody totally stinks up the screen either. Le Mat is a bit bland, but not awful, Robin Frates is the widow of the deceased figure at the centre of events, which automatically shades her with some mystery and suspicion, and Kathryn O'Reilly gamely takes on the role that throws some gratuitous nudity into the mix. Irene Miracle, Matt Roe, and Jimmie F. Skaggs do what is asked of them, and Barbara Crampton appears for a completely unnecessary, but welcome, cameo appearance (her total screentime is probably not even one full minute though).

Although it doesn't make the most of the fun premise, Puppet Master is a film I will always have a soft spot for. It has a weak script, an average cast, and those puppets, with each one at least having a memorably unique trait. That last aspect is enough to keep me happy. I hope to make my way through the entire franchise one day, and I suspect that I have already endured much worse during my cinematic "travels". I know that my optimism may be worn down by the time I get through the first few movies, but I'll cling on to it for now. Watch this space to see if it ever disappears entirely while I get myself up to speed with the escapades of Toulon and co.

7/10

You can buy the movie here.
Americans can buy a decent little set here.