The Horror Show
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich
by Sonny Laguna & Tommy Wiklund
When I say Full Moon to most horror fans there is only one franchise that every single person mentions: Puppet Master. I know that this is one of my favorite franchises from Full Moon and Charles Band. When the action figures came out I wanted them all, Especially Blade! Blade will always be my favorite. Sadly, this is a series with a lot of ups and downs and I tend to ignore certain movies in the franchise. (I'm looking at you parts four and five.) That's why when I came across the latest I was worried. Then when I read it was a reboot of the first I was super worried. I had every expectation that this would be terrible, but I have never been so wrong.
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich brings the puppets back to their evil roots. Udo Keir is the Puppet Master, Andre Toulon. Unlike the original Toulon who fought against the Nazis, this “reboot” takes place in an alternate timeline where Toulon IS a Nazi. The film opens in 1989, which is when the first movie was released. We see Toulon, burned and scarred, he sits down at a bar. He makes creepy small talk with the bartender and her friend. When he asks if they're acquainted they make out. Toulon is disgusted and leaves. Later as the two lesbians are discussing having a child (good luck with that since it's 1989) the puppets kill them and we see Toulon in his tomb regenerating thru magic.
It's now present day and we see Edgar played by Thomas Lennon. He's a struggling comic book artist who is recently divorced and working for his buddy in a comic shop. He moves back in with his parents and discovers in his dead brother's room a Blade puppet. Edgar is curious about the puppet and discovers it's one of Toulon's. It's the 30th anniversary of the Toulon murders and there's an auction at this hotel. Edgar, his new girl, and his buddy decide to go to the auction/convention. Just like the original, when you mix the puppets and a hotel full of people it gets real bloody real fast.
This wasn't directed by Charles Band, but it was made by people who love this franchise. The puppets were awesome, there was great comedy, and the actors were so lovable. It ended with a To Be Continued... so I am kind of excited to see where this timeline goes. Any time I get more Thomas Lennon makes me happy!
If I had one nitpick, it would be that there are too many puppets. A lot of the classic puppets were missing and a lot of the new ones felt shoved in there. It didn't hurt the movie, but it made it very confusing. I do love the little fuhrer puppet though. That thing was creepy!
I don't think I would call The Littlest Reich a reboot, but it is a neat parallel story line. I missed the puppets being evil and it was so good to see them kill again! I hope when this story is continued we can trim down the cast of puppets. I'd also like for Leech Woman and Jester to come back. I love those creatures so much!
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich is available for rent on Prime Video. It's super fun and it will tunnel its way into your heart!
Robin Thompson, HMS
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