However, I didn't come here to argue the credibility of the word "retro" in a film's title. I came here to talk about the merit of the film itself. First off, this being a low-budget B-rated horror film and considering the previous two films, I did not have high expectations for Retro Puppet Master, the seventh installment in Full Moon Features straight to home video series. So, as a result, I was surprisingly pleased by this film. I wasn't amazed or blown away (this isn't John Carpenter's Halloween by any means), but I was happy as far as this particular movie series is concerned.
The movie opens with an old and feeble Andre Tulon hiding out in an abandoned inn with his collection of puppets. Since it is raining and since he seems to have time to kill he begins to reminisce on a day when he was young. He tells the puppets how he first came to learn of the secret of creating life in inanimate objects. The story he tells is the basis of the entire movie.
The old man, knowing he will soon die, introduces himself to Tulon as an ancient Egyptian sorcerer. It is here that he teaches Tulon the art of transferring a human soul into a puppet; therefore, he teaches him how to create life. Of course it isn't all fun and games since the Egyptian God's undead followers are after the old sorcerer. And since the sorcerer has taught Tulon the secret they are after Tulon as well. These servants of hell kidnap Elsa (Oh no! Not the damsel in distress trope!) and put her up for ransom against Tulon's life. Tulon creates his very first small army of puppets and uses them to save the day.
The film is done on a seemingly higher budget than the previous two films. The time period sets and props make for a good atmosphere. The addition of the undead mummified minions makes for a creepy taste that was missed in some of the other films. I was happy to see that back since it was so significant in the first two films.
The acting is sub-par but not as atrocious as it was in the last film in the series. Despite the fact that the story takes place in Paris, there isn't a consistent accent. Some people try to have an accent and it turns out fairly well. Others completely fail and a few don't even try at all. One of the members of the theater company speaks with a completely American accent. So we're left wondering, was he supposed to be an American immigrant? It never explains. So it just ends up looking like poor acting skills. Additionally, the dialogue is only okay. It is pretty repetitive and strained at points.
Lastly, the movie is slow and seems to drag at points. The fact that the movie is only 80 minutes makes me think they were stretching for time with this one. The occasional boring pace is what probably hurts this B-movie romp the most.
Summing it Up
Deaths: 9
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 1
Fun Factor: 3
Overall Rating: 3