Dolls (1987) - Review and Analysis by Scott Wood for Critical-Film.com

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Dolls (1987) A film review by Scott Wood For Critical-film.com   “Dolls” was Stuart Gordon's third film after the instantly classic “Re-Animator” and the perhaps even more notorious “From Beyond.” It is considered by some to be his biggest disappointment, and for many people this may be true. While “Dolls” may not have had the crazy violence and gore of Gordon's previous work (there is definitely some, but what movies are as crazy as those two pictures?), and therefore disappointed people who were expecting more of the same, it is similar to his other work in its underline ambition. Gordon never hesitates to go over the top with his cinema, and with this feature, he throws everything he possibly can at his target audience to achieve what he wishes to. Simply put, “Dolls” is a film made for people who are afraid of dolls.   This idea may alienate those of you who don't possess that particular phobia, but it shouldn't. It just means that you may appreciate some of Gordon's other work more than this. That doesn't make “Dolls” a bad movie. In fact, I would argue that it is among his more solid and focused works. If you aren't afraid of dolls, then you should still be able to enjoy this picture and all that is done well. If you do have a fear of dolls, this film will among the scariest movies you will ever see.   The thing that jumps out at most critics about “Dolls” is the setting. There is a sense of haunting atmosphere that triumphs as perhaps the best example of such out of any “B” horror film to come out of the eighties. Gordon has a wonderful ability to absorb the viewer into this environment, almost to the point where in retrospect, I can practically imagine the layout; where the bedrooms are in respect to the kitchen, and so forth. This allows the viewer to feel either trapped within the confines of a strange house, or safe, depending on which character the film is following.   The other qualities that this film features are ones that you would not expect of a film of its subject matter. It has a surprising amount of class. It takes on its topic with a tone of seriousness that makes it stand above other films of its time. Sure, there is the classic Gordon camp, and the story is ludicrous, but one never gets the feeling that the movie is doing anything obligatory to its genre. There is no tripe suspense, and no cheap laughs. On top of this, there are scenes that are genuinely frightening, which is something I did not expect going in.   Seeing “Dolls” was when I first realized that Stuart Gordon was the real deal; a filmmaker who wanted to do more with his films than any other directors who might work on similar projects. If Gordon makes a movie about something, it is the definitive film on that material. No one will ever make another scary movie about dolls that will be better than this. That is unless Gordon decides to remake it.   (Three and a half Stars)   This review was provided in HTML format, as your browser is not capable of displaying flash content. To experience Critical-Film.com the way it was meant to be seen, please download the flash player from <a href="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BIOW">Macromedia</a>.