Last week, yours truly had the chance to review the “Puppet Master II” blu-ray and thought it was very good, especially with the film’s remastered transfer. Now it’s on “Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge” Blu-Ray.
The film is a prequel to the first two “Puppet Master” film. It takes place during WWII, where the Gestapo hears about Toulon’s formula and his deadly puppets. Major Krauss (Richard Lynch) and Dr. Hess (Ian Abercrombie) are sent out capture Toulon (Guy Rolfe) and his puppets. After they capture Toulon and his puppets, Krauss kills Toulon’s Wife. Now Toulon’s out for revenge with the help of his deadly puppets, which includes Tunnler, Jester, Pin Head, Leech Woman and his newest puppet Six Shooter. Toulon is ready to get even with the Gestapo for the murder of his wife.
It was great going back and revisiting this film, especially with its newly remastered transfer from its original negatives. It looks very much better from the previous DVD release. The picture and audio was very much improved from the lackluster transfer of the original DVD release. But at the end of the day, it’s the film that makes this worth your time.
“Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge” is one of Full Moon’s best films that they’ve ever put out. Most of the credit has to go to the film’s director David DeCoteau. This is by far, his best film. The directing was very good, as he makes sure the film that the same feel as the other two films in style. Most of the films in the series have a certain comic bookish feel to them. This film has that. But what makes this different from most of the films, it also has dark tone, since the story is taking place during the Second World War. DeCoteau makes the tone stand out through the various backgrounds that he uses during the course of the film. It makes the film dark, while trying to capture the atmosphere of the time period. The other thing that makes DeCoteau’s directing very well was the way that he directed the acting. Everyone was cast perfectly in this film. He also takes his time in getting the performances he needs. To me, it shows very well on screen. I liked the late Guy Rolfe’s performance as Andre Toulon. He makes the character different from the last film, which was needed to make the film work. But the best performance that I enjoyed most was from the late Richard Lynch, as the villainous Major Krauss. Like in other cult films such as “Bad Dreams” and “Trancers II”, he able to make the character very sinister to the point that his presence alone enhances the tone of the film. You don’t see that from many actors that take on the role of the bad guy.
The screenplay written by C Courtney Joyner does a very good job creating the backstory of Andre Toulon. You get it very briefly in the second film during a flashback sequence, but you didn’t a sense of the character until this film. Joyner does a very good job making the character likeable considering the character was the main villain in the last film. He does that, by the way that he sets up the first act of the film. Without spoiling anything, it sets up well to the point that you forget the character’s evil deeds from the last film. The other thing that I liked was that this was different from the first two. It’s much darker and focuses more on Toulon than in the other films of the series with the exception of “Retro Puppet Master”. That’s makes this movie work on a story level and makes the character work with the series.
Blu-Ray Extras:
The first extra on the Blu-Ray is the film’s commentary track with director David DeCoteau and C. Courtney Joyner. This is a very good commentary track that gives a retrospective on the making of the film. DeCoteau and Joyner a very good job going into very detail on the making of the film. They shared stories about the film’s pre production and stories that happened during the making of film and its post production. Overall, a much better commentary track than “Puppet Master 2”. It’s a great listen for fans of the series and fans of nineties B-movies.
Next featurette is the film’s original uncut videozone with behind the scenes of “Puppet Master III” and other information for other Full Moon releases that were released during that time period. Overall, it always welcomed on any Full Moon Release and is still better than normal nine minute behind the scenes featurettes that are found on many Blu-Ray releases.
After that, the disc wraps up with a killer puppet montage, rare “Puppet Master” action figure commercial, Trailers and introduction to the film. All of these were the same features that can be found on the “Puppet Master II” Blu-Ray.
I truly hope, Full Moon continues release more of its Paramount films on Blu-Ray. It’s great watching these remastered films like they were aired back in the day on the Sci-Fi Channel and HBO. “Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge” is easily the best “Puppet Master” sequel and is one of the best films that Full Moon Features has ever put out.
Review Rating: Five Stars
DVD Extras: Three and a Half Stars
