With Puppet Master 4 and 5, these films were shot back to back. They tell one story and that's of Rick Meyers and his fight against the evil Sutekh. Now, if you remember in Retro Puppet Master, they also included Sutekh into that film's storyline. This helps create continuities between the films. At this point, yes Retro came out after 4 and 5. But it's interesting to see these small little details when you watch the films in timeline order. Plus if you stop after 5, it's a nice way to end the series on a high note.
In Puppet Master 4, Sutekh creates three demonic servants called Totems. He sends them forth into our world to try to kill those who possess the secret of animation. There is also a subplot of a group of scientists that are working on Artificial Intelligence. Somehow, they are close to uncovering Toulon's secret. Rick Meyers is the caretaker of the Bodega Bay and a member of the scientists. Rick's friends join him one night at the Bodega Bay - Suzie, Lauren, and Cameron. For the record, Cameron is a total douche that is just trying to steal Rick's work. They manage to uncover Toulon's trunk that houses his Puppets and his vials of serum.
They also find a gaming board that is similar to a Ouija Board. Basically, it's the same concept. Cameron and Lauren attempt to use it as a way of figuring out what's going on. Unfortunately for them, Sutekh uses the board as a way of sending his Totems out into the Bodega Bay. Rick is able to successfully reanimate Toulon's puppets - Blade, Jester, Six Shooter, Pinhead, and Tunneler. They are now ready to protect Rick from the Totems. Rick is also able towards the end of the film to animate a new puppet - Decapitron. It houses the spirit of Toulon himself. And at the end of this film, Rick is named the new Puppet Master.
In Puppet Master 5, we have the police investigating Rick. He's being charged with the murders of his fellow workers that were found dead in the previous film. He's also being charged with the deaths of Lauren and Cameron. Rick is released with the help of his temporary superior at work, Jennings.
Jennings can tell that not everything is adding up. He's quick to learn just what it is that Rick uncovered in the previous film. He hires two henchmen to go into the Bodega Bay and figure out exactly what happened. Sutekh is also quick to try again. This time though, he's not sitting on the sidelines as he creates a special Totem that will allow him to cross over into our world.
Rick and the Puppets must work together to stop Jennings as well as Sutekh from getting the secret to reanimation. Torch also joins the Puppets in this entry. It'll all culminate in a battle for everything.
These two films were shot together. The plan originally was that it would have been one full length feature titled Puppet Master: The Movie directed by Charles Band. At one point, it was also originally conceived as being Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys. Once the idea of Decapitron was thought of, it shifted to introducing Sutekh and his Totems. It's very interesting when watching both of these films back to back. The story between the two films don't necessarily gel as much anymore. There definitely is a shift in between the films tonally as well. Part 4 is the lighter of the two films. There's a bit of an innocent child-like whimsy almost. Well, I guess you could also say that the fantasy elements are more prominent. If there wasn't any gore in the film, honestly it feels like a PG-13 film. There have been a few times where I've actually mistaken it for a PG-13 film. However with Part 5, it's very much so a rated R film. There is a bit more gore and blood when compared to the previous film. Part 5 definitely feels like it's a marriage of elements from Part 1 and Part 4. The way that the Puppets are having to fight off the Totems as well as Jennings and his henchmen - ifeels a little similar to earlier films.
The cast in these two films are great. Gordon Currie is great as Rick. He is likeable. He cares what's happening to his friends and girlfriend. He wants to be able to help in any way he can. And he's better than Cameron because he will actually put himself before others. Cameron just screams like a girl and will let his girlfriend get attacked. Ash Adams plays Cameron. He does a great job at playing a character that he knows people will hate. He's not there to be likeable. He's not there to be good. He's there to be a douche. He's there to help show how much of a good person Rick is. Teresa Hill plays Lauren. Her character is more reminiscent of the psychics from the first film. It's definitely a nice callback seeing a psychic character. However, that might be the only nice thing that can be said about her character. It's one that feels a little flat. And ultimately, one that I tend to forget is in the film till I start watching it. Then we have Chandra West as Susie. She does a great job delivering a fun performance. Susie is definitely different than Lauren. She's not just a damsel in distress. She's not afraid to step in and get her hands dirty. There was a moment or two where she would step in to save Rick. The henchmen in the fifth film are forgettable. They are just there to fill the body count quota. And Jennings is just a pompous ass that you root to get his due.
Now on to Sutekh. This was an interesting addition to the lore of Puppet Master. In the first three films, we just know that Toulon found the key to reanimation. But at this point, we begin to understand things a little more. Yeah, with this one it seems like Sutekh just comes out of left field. However, when paired with Retro Puppet Master - you are able to understand more of the feud that was happening. Sutekh is a very interesting villain. I just wish that he would do more villainous things. It kinda hurts the film that he has to send his Totems up and can't get his hands dirty himself. I mean look at the size of him. He could wreck someone if he could come to our world. I do love the fact that he's basically an oversize muppet. The design is very cool. Growing up, that is definitely one of the reasons why I loved Part 4 and 5 the most.
Part 4 is a solid beginning. When paired with Retro, it helps understand exactly why Sutekh is so salty about life. This was also the film that showed the most promise. The puppets are on point. The motions look amazing. It's so good. Yeah, it has the huge 90s feel to it. At that point, it was all about computers and laser tag. Definitely makes the film feel a little dated in today's age. But, it's a fun flick. Part 5 is a nice continuation. There is a definite tonal shift that happens. This hinders the film slightly as it doesn't feel as fun. It's more back to basics approach in a way. And honestly, the fourth film's ending is replayed in the fifth's. It feels a bit lacking that it rehashed things. However, the coolest thing that these two films did. It introduced Decapitron. Decapitron is such a cool concept for a Puppet. It's extremely understandable that after Blade, Decapitron has always been my favorite. But these films are definitely some of the strongest in the franchise.
Rating:
Puppet Master 4: 4.5 out of 5.
Puppet Master 5: 4 out of 5.
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