Seed of Chucky 4K UHD Review

Glen versus Glenda

Of the six Child’s Play/Chucky movies written by Don Mancini, Seed of Chucky is the most distinct. Or at least, it’s the most representative of Mancini, an openly gay man who penned this meta-rich story about a gender-confused killer doll. Even among the movies in the killer doll slasher genre (?), Seed of Chucky is bizarre, twisted mayhem.

Universal rejected Mancini’s idea. After that, he wrote a different sequel, a more traditional one, but soon found a home for this at Rogue/Focus, and chose to partner with them. That was the right call. Seed of Chucky needs a demented side, where the inside-Hollywood humor pairs well to the goofy concept.

Seed of Chucky is among the weirdest personal diary chapter ever made

Mancini’s script explores the ludicrous culture in Los Angeles, using sex, gender discrimination, and loose morals to pick apart the business. Jennifer Tilly proves invaluable, and with free reign to make his movie his way, Mancini treats things with a genuine self-awareness. Seed of Chucky has absurd lines, spoken with genuine earnestness, like, “You’re prostituting yourself to play the virgin Mary!” Jennifer Tilly runs with it, even mocking her own bout of sexual perversion in Bound.

Material with Chucky is less focused and less consistent, skewing toward the extreme for gags. Chucky, in an effort to find a new human body, masturbates to an issue of Fangoria before his “wife” Tiffany impregnates Tilly via turkey baster. With zero seriousness left in this series, Seed of Chucky goes the opposite way, landing in this weird, kooky tone that’s distinct. It’s akin to watching a 90-minute signature.

Through Chucky’s kid, Glen or Glenda (another dose of meta-humor), Mancini writes his own story, albeit with a wonderfully weird, surreal slant. Seed of Chucky is among the weirdest personal diary chapter ever made, with extreme horror, emotion, and uncertainty abound. For something so preposterous, Mancini finds a way to tell his story with a skewed honesty, and for 2004, did so well ahead of the changing social culture. For that, Seed of Chucky deserves recognition and credit, even if the end result is acquired taste.

Video

Middling at best, Scream’s Dolby Vision debut for Seed of Chucky doesn’t impress. The company notes a new scan of the camera negative, but the resolution appears lacking. Seed of Chucky’s softness doesn’t allow to detail to thrive. Even in close, definition sags. A spiderweb in an attic scene shows visible aliasing. Is this better than the original Blu-ray? A bit. Just a bit though.

The greatest improvement comes from the color, richer and denser than before. Flesh tones swell to a natural warmth. Primaries produce a zest, especially blood red.

However, black levels crush with some frequency, negating any depth earned from Dolby Vision, which isn’t much. Grain resolves cleanly enough as to never make itself appear as anything more than organic grain.

Audio

Mirroring the DTS-HD 5.1 track previously available, Seed of Chucky often toys with its soundstage, directionality prominent and precise. Surrounds feature lightning strikes, unsheathed blades, and even voices. Stereos find extensive use too.

Bass doesn’t veer toward subtle, boomy and aggressive, almost too much so. In spots, it’s overwhelming to the balance.

Extras

The Blu-ray plays host to these bonuses, including the two commentaries. One includes writer/director Don Mancini and actress Jennifer Tilly. The second pairs Mancini with animatronic designer Tony Gardener. One deleted scene again brings back Mancini as he discusses things with actress Debbie Lee Carrington. A few featurettes (one with Chucky in-character) and storyboard comparisons join the trailer at the end.

Full disclosure: This Blu-ray was provided to us for review. This has not affected the editorial process. For information on how we handle review material, please visit our about us page to learn more.

The following six screen shots serve as samples for our subscription-exclusive set of 43 full resolution uncompressed 4K screen shots grabbed directly from the UHD: