Retro Puppet Master
Tags: murder

Plot synopsis:
The film begins in 1944, Switzerland, taking place after the events of Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge. Toulon and his little friends are still on the run, and decide to hide in the Kolewige, an inn 4 miles from the Swiss border. Blade finds the wooden head of an old puppet named Cyclops in their trunk, and when Toulon sees it, he then tells his puppets the adventures with the woman he loves, and his retro puppets, starting in Cairo, Egypt, in 1902.
A 3,000-year-old Egyptian sorcerer, named Afzel, has stolen the secret of life, and is fleeing the servants of an evil Egyptian god, named Sutekh. Two servants, imbued with magical power from Sutekh, attack him, but are killed easily by Afzel and his own magical power. After dispatching the two servants he begins his journey to Paris.
Meanwhile, Sutekh has given life to three of his oldest servants—Egyptian mummies. After they rise from their chamber they too begin to pursue Afzel. Cut to Paris, where a young Andre Toulon is putting on a puppet show of Dante's Divine Comedy. Watching from the crowd is Elsa, who has left her cold-hearted abusive ambassador father and harmless mother (who wasn't in this) to view the wonders of the country and has decided to see the play. In the sewers nearby the three mummies have hired two thugs to kill Afzel. The thugs are necessary since Afzel has the power to sense the coming of the mummies.
Afzel is beaten brutally until Elsa, leaving the theater, sees them and cries for help. The thugs then scatter, leaving Toulon and Elsa to pick Afzel up and bring him inside. Later, when he stirs from his sleep, he talks with Toulon and reveals that he knows the secret of life, and it's the only thing that can protect humankind when the elder gods rise up in 100-1,000 years, and needs to pass it on to Toulon. Toulon is skeptical until Afzel begins to make the puppets move. Now Toulon realizes he is genuine and begins to learn his powers. Then Afzel starts to make the puppets draw a barrier that's supposed to protect him if the servants come back.
While stepping outside for a brief moment, Toulon begins to talk to a beggar who has sat on the steps since the beginning of the movie. However, he is dead, and when Andre becomes aware of this he begins to mourn. Afzel tells him to bring him inside to teach him the true secret of life. After bringing him inside they use a ring to transfer the soul of the beggar to the puppet, "Pinhead". The puppet starts to move but, after a few questions the puppet runs away into the theater. Later on, Elsa returns to talk to Toulon, until her father's rude servants come by, and they take Elsa and Toulon back to her house, and after Toulon talks to the father, he gets knocked out, and is then thrown into the woods.
The next day, back at the theater, Valentin storms in as the barrier written on paper falls off the wall. The three mummies see their chance to attack and begin their rampage through the theater. Valentin finishes repairing the door as two of the mummies break in and kill him. Vigo runs backstage to Duval and Latour and falls dead. Duval stabs the lead mummy in his hand as the mummy kills him with his other hand. Latuor gets out a gun and shoots the lead mummy three times as the other mummy comes in through the back door and all three of them use their magic to kill him. Afzel appears and says Sutekh shall not claim his life, and kills himself with his own magic. Satisfied with victory, the mummies begin to leave. Once Toulon returns from the woods, he sees what has happened and acts quickly by putting their souls inside his puppets.
The men return, having sensed someone with the knowledge of the secret of life, and try to kill Toulon. His puppets, however, kill one of the mummies with Six Shooter by shooting the chandelier chains, causing it to crush the servant. The two henchmen retreat in order to plot the capture of Elsa to lure Toulon into a trap.
Feeling that he had won the battle, Andre and his puppets go to a train station to leave Paris to Kara, Togo before things start to get bad, not realizing they had already begun. The servants killed her parents, the guards and capture Elsa, and then send a dream to Toulon that shows Elsa tied up, and a train. Knowing the meaning, he quickly changes trains to Merca, Somalia and gets his puppets ready for the showdown. When the train leaves, Andre looks around, having released his puppets and letting them follow him throughout the train, until finally coming to the last car and finding Elsa tied up like in his dream. The two men appear and ask for the secret of life. Andre displays the scroll where the secret is written and asks, "How do you know I haven't copied it?" to which the leader states he did not have enough time to do so, but still is doubtful he hadn't. Andre, noticing he is distracted, attacks the leader while his puppets attack the other. A large struggle breaks out, and the other henchman is killed with the final leader of the three being thrown from the car. Freeing Elsa, the group rides away in the train, beginning their adventure. After telling the story, the puppets wonder what happened to the other puppets. Andre tells them that's another story, which he will tell them in the future.

Review: I believe this movie was one of the best in the Puppet Master series.
Being made on a low budget, one can comprehend why the special effects and acting were not spectacular, but they were not completely horrible.Greg Sestero brought a lot of charisma to the role of Andre Toulon.
I am a big Puppet Master fan and have grown to expect blood and gore from the films of this series, but I can say that I was never bored through the entire course of watching Retro Puppet Master.
The puppets all have a new (or since this movie has the word "retro" in the title, I suppose it's an old) look to them, but not all of them do.
This was actually the last Puppet Master film that Guy Rolfe starred in, which really is a shame; he portrayed the role of Andre Toulon better than any of the previous actors.
Guy Rolfe passed away in the year 2003, so that means that if any more Puppet Master movies are made (other than "Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys"),an other actor will have to play as Toulon.
I have seen only of one of the other Puppetmaster movies and remember that it was about an older man with his killing puppets.
So I had no knowledge of the beginning of the old man but this Retro film gave me a feel for the man named Andre Toulon played by Greg Sestero.
It was not a movie filled with overwhelming killing like the other film I saw but gave the characters a heart.
In 1989, writer Charles Band and director David Schmoeller created "Puppet Master", an inventive horror film about a group of puppets magically brought to life by its maker, Andre Toulon, and took to America during World War II.
While the original film and its sequel were basically straightforward slashers, the third film made an important big change in the format, moving away from horror to fantasy and setting the movie in the WWII, explaining how Toulon escaped from the War and moved to America.
The following three films in the series had the Puppets as heroes and took place in the present, returning the gore and violence to the series by walking the fine line between horror and fantasy.
"Retro Puppet Master", the seventh chapter of the Puppets' saga, takes the series again further into fantasy, telling the story about the origins of Andre Toulon and the Puppet's first adventure.In turn of the century Paris, young puppeteer Andre Toulon runs a small puppet theater where every night he and his crew make a living.
Andre takes care of the wounded Afzel, who claims to be a 3000 years old sorcerer, but while at first he believes the man is crazy, soon Andre begins to believe, as the dying Afzel tells him the secret that will put Andre in danger for the rest of his life: the ancient gods' secret of giving life to inanimate things.Ever since it was released, "Retro Puppet Master" became quite a controversial movie among fans of the series, as the screenplay (by Benjamin Carr) is definitely more a fantasy adventure than a horror film, making it receive many critics due to the lack of gore and suspense.
Personally, I think the move really helps to the story, as for the first time in years the focus of the film is not on the Puppets, but on the Puppetmaster himself, so the toning down of the horror is a reasonable change.
The story is also about how he met his future wife Ilsa, so romance plays a very important part of the story (another difference with the previous installments).Directed by a long time Full Moon regular, the notorious David DeCoteau, "Retro Puppet Master" is surprisingly a change of tone from the typical late 90s Full Moon releases.
While the cinematography looks like the average TV movie and the special effects are of a terribly bad quality (due to budgetary constrains), the movie looks very good considering its a period piece, and even the score (by John Massari) fits the new tone of the film as a glove.Newcomer Greg Sesstero has a big challenge when playing the younger version of a character that basically was created by the great Guy Rolfe (who has a cameo), however, Sestero makes a terrific job and adds a lot of charm to the role.
Worth to point out are the terribly bad performances of the three servants (the main villains of the movie), who easily are the worst part of the film.
While some of this may not be entirely their fault (as their lines are also the less inspired part of the script), their lack of talent make a bad role atrocious, as it literally kills what could had been a good movie.
Many has been written about the simplistic special effects, and while sadly they are not on the level of the previous films (they are of TV Series quality at best), at least there isn't an overuse of them through the movie."Retro Puppet Master" has received a lot of what I think is an undeserved bash through the years, however, it's safe to say that it's one of the best film sin the series.
Watch the dead homeless man on the steps though (who first gives his 'life' to the puppets) - though dead and looking almost like a puppet himself he can't help blinking in full camera shot.
Sadly, as grand a concept as this has- a story starting in Egypt in the late 1800's where the secrets of a God's power are stolen and then moving to a young Toulon running a puppet show in Paris in the early 1900s, the whole affair is a little too drawn out to fulfil it's potential.It's a shame because director Decoteau has previously directed two of the stronger Puppet Master entries- part 3 (perhaps my favourite) and 6- a fun return to form after a couple of really bad sequels.This is not to say it's a film without merit- any fan of the Puppet Master series will enjoy finding out about how it all began, the cronies of the god are fairly sinister in an Agent Smith/ Matrix kind of way, and there are a couple of new puppets to keep you entertained.The film could be described as ambitious too, considering budgetary constraints.
Creating a period piece obviously creates complications in filming, so this, as with Puppet Master III, is admirable- the simplest route was not selected.On the downside, the puppets themselves move especially badly in this entry- it's a far cry from the beautiful stop-motion animation of earlier films- we really are talking about movement like a 4 year old's Barbie.
And the male lead, Greg Sestero as a young Andre Toulon, is perhaps more wooden than the puppets.Still, it's worth renting perhaps rather than buying, (I'm not sure how much replay value it has) for those who have to know how it all began.
Six-shooter, Tunnel Sergeant, Dr. Death, Pinhead, Cyclops, and Blade help the young Andre Toulon take out Sutek's Egyption henchman in the best sequel this series has seen.Retro Puppet Master is atmospheric with many sets, quality acting and some fun puppet FX.
Oh, and the ring-needle is cool.John Massari's score is a nice symphonic take on the original Puppet Master tunes by Richard Band, keeping the movie playful and eerie.
This is notably different from the other R-rated puppet master movies which were loaded with gore and violent mayhem.
This film also has notably better special effects than the last movie in this series.
The acting in this movie is so bad it seems intentional, and to let you know how bad the special effects are, there is one scene when the puppets are coming alive where you can see most of a hand holding the puppet, moving it about.
First off, I Hate Sci Fi Stuff, And Although This Movie got a little Sci Fi at times, That's Allright, Because At Least It Focused On Andre Toulon.
I would Recommend Renting this if you Have seen a Puppet Master Movie before and liked it.
But not renting it if this is your First Time viewing one from the PM Collection, Mainly Because you might think all the Puppet Masters are as "Dull" as this one..
It was nice to see the older (retro-)versions of some of the famous puppets these films are known for and it was interesting to learn something about the origin of Andre Toulon's re-animating skills.
Being that it's part 7 in the "Puppet Master" series, I actually thought it would be worse.
What I liked: atmosphere, wardrobe, scenery and set, casting, relaxed unpretentious vibe What I disliked: meandering title credits, volume seemed low, some of the lighting seemed exceptionally darkGo into this film expecting a fantasy, non violent (both pluses) and chilled (lead actor Greg sestero is pretty chilled) addition to the story.
Telling a story as an old man, an aging puppet master reveals that he had a small collection of puppets in turn-of-the-century Paris who possessed the power to turn inanimate objects to life and is hunted by the servants of an Egyptian God, forcing him to use what he has to keep them safe.This is a really decent entry in an already-cheesy series.
That also segues into one of the best parts of this one, just like all the other entries in the series which is the efficiency and realism of the puppet effects.
That is incredibly limiting to a film, especially one where it's main appeal is in seeing homicidal puppets in action, so that the rating limitation means that they're handicapped in here and aren't really allowed into the story to do what they're here for.
It's a disgrace to see something like that in a film about killer puppets, and with their tools and special powers being the main attraction for these films, to neuter it by having the specific rating is a complete slap to the other entries in the series.
The first six were fine, but this one was obviously written by someone who never watched the previous entries, or just did not care.We are introduced to a young Andre Toulon and Ilsa in 1944, even though in the third movie they were much older in 1941 and Ilsa died!
every single sequal to the original(and best) Puppet Master,has simply failed to please (with perhaps no.3 as an exception).As every year passes,the special effects have kept looking worse and worse,and now this franchise has very little to offer.How many times do they want to tell us the history of the puppets or their master???.
The film follows on Puppet Master 3, but is actually also intended as the first film in the franchise, as it takes us back to 1902 when Andre Toulon learnt the secret to bringing the puppets to life.
The seventh film of the Puppet Master series, Retro, is chronologically first of them all.
The story reverts back to when Andre Toulon was a young man performing puppet shows for a living.
The puppets themselves are a classical wooden style puppet not seen in any of the previous films but they bring back some of the stars like Blade, Pinhead and Drill Sergeant.
This is the seventh movie in the series, however this was a prequel to 1991's Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge, Which was also prequel to the first movie.Sutekh has given life to three of his oldest servants and who start killing people, just by saying die.I found that really silly, how people are killed off in this movie, Servants say Die, then they just drop dead.This was very slow, it's stay one stage,never seem go up., it's felt like one very long scene.The acting was very wooden, the whole movie was very flat.It's very weak on the gore and toys didn't even attack, until the near the end however we do find out, why the puppet start to Kill.3 out of 10.PS - Woo hoo, this will by 200th movie, that I haved reviewed in 2012!
Retro Puppet Master (1999) * (out of 4) The seventh film in the series is actually a prequel to PUPPET MASTER III if anyone actually cares.
The film starts off in 1944 just after the end of part three as Andre Toulon (Guy Rolfe; in his final time playing the part) begins to tell how he gained the power of the puppets.
This film may have been the first Puppet Master but this sure bored me to death when I saw this stupid movie,I wanted a refund.
This was a bad series to the Puppet Master and I'm sure that I am not the only one that thinks this was terrible.
You will be disappointed even to the fans who love Puppet Master, it was a waste of their time and it didn't make so much money.Nobody even got kill but one or two,very pointless.1/10.
You would think that production would be better 10 years after the original was released, however Retro Puppet Master was not directed by or written by the original writers and contained poor story, lack of any emmontional connection to any characters, and dragged out slowly scene to scene.
THE PUPPET MASTER movies deserve some recognition for being gory, scary, and suspenful at some times.
That was until I watched RETRO PUPPET MASTER.
This movie is just for the "Puppet Master" series fans.
When I think about the "Puppet Master" sequels I get mad because the original was a great horror sci-fi film and it's sequels just ruin the toys (or puppets), the main characters of this series..
Just sitting through it makes you angry because it acts absolutly nothing like any of the Puppet Master movies.
This film nearly sapped all the life out of me and I have sat through some really bad movies.
The only redeeming factor in the film is the puppets themselves they truly are the stars and could out-act all but Guy Rolfe himself(he is the puppetmaster)and although you can see their wires and strings, they carry me throughout the painful start to finish of Retro-Puppet Master.
I grew up as a Puppet Master fan with my brother, and expected good ones with 6&7.
Hell, they even made a titling mistake many viewers make "Puppet Master" is not together like "Puppetmaster" or at least until this one, this one really is big-time s*$%, it's romance is so awful and the acting is probably at it's worse!!
Retro Puppet Master is complete and utter CRAP.In particular,the puppets look stupid,and crappy.The acting was unforgivable and the story was rancid.This movie goes back into the the past,where the dolls where first created,thats not Puppet Master.Retro Puppet Master is rated PG-13,the first Puppet Master to be rated PG-13.The movie contains no horror,or suspense.The fact that this movie was a Puppet Master film boggles the mind,because this installment doesnt have the buckets of blood,good acting,or any entertaiment like the previous movies did.Dont see this movie,dont rent it,and dont even watch it f its on TV,because this film is stale,not violent,and completely crappy.2 out of 10.As a Puppet Master fan,I am disappointed...seriously..
The acting was fine; I did like Greg Sestero casted as Andre Toulon.
I recommend this film to all Puppet Master/Full Moon fans..
However the gift of life was also a curse as the ancient God Sutek whom the secret was stolen from in the first place by Afzel wants it back & everyone who has learnt it dead...As of late I have been on a bit of a Puppet Master bender as being a big fan of the first three I decided to watch the rest of the franchise & as such I have seen Puppet Master 4 (1993), Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter (1994), Curse of the Puppet Master (1998) & now Retro Puppet Master in the space of a couple of weeks & boy was it tough to get through them all, especially this one as it's the worse of the series so far.
Retro Puppet Master feels like a cross between Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge (1991) with it's period setting & Puppet Master 4 & Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter with Sutek trying to kill everyone associated with his stolen life giving secret.
The majority of the story is told as a flashback & concentrates on Andre Toulon himself rather than the puppets, the film focuses on his relationship with Ilsa & him learning the secret of life & it's all rather dull & tedious stuff to be honest.
I mean whenever you see a puppet 'walk' the camera is always positioned above it's wait so it's legs don't have to be shown & there's obviously some production assistant just pushing the thing along, that's as complex & state of the art as the special effects get.The one positive thing that Retro Puppet Master does have going for it is that it looks rather nice, the period production design, costumes & props are actually quite impressive & it's a fairly handsome film to watch at times.
It just gets a little boring after a while, there being only TWO puppet attack scenes, and no stop motion, just like part 6.
The puppets look really cheesy , not in a good way like in the Puppet Master 80's flicks.
There aren't death scenes like in previous movies and the f/x are terrible.
To my knowledge, I didn't know that they had made a seventh puppet master film.
I only gave this movie a chance because I already had seen most of the puppet master films and I felt like this was a strong film franchise.
I started to watch it with hope that it'll be good, like the first three Puppet Masters were.
For one, how are you gonna rate a Puppet Master film PG-13?