Toys are not inherently scary, no matter what the evil clown effigy sitting at the edge of your childhood bed told you during those dark, sleepless nights of your youth. While Poltergeist managed to make a similarly sinister harlequin horrifying, most playthings don't warrant a worry. In 1988, writer Don Mancini and director Tom Holland tried to change this perception with their oddball movie macabre Child's Play. Telling the story of a psychotic serial killer, his unsettled spirit, and a soon to be possessed doll, it delighted audiences toward the end of horror's Greed Decade run. Today, it's a dated yet effective little fright flick.

All Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) wants for his birthday is a Good Guy Doll, the everpresent advertisement for the toy promising the only child a "friend 'til the end." Sadly, his hardworking single mom (Catherine Hicks) can't afford the high end present. When she hears that a homeless man is selling a "slightly used" version in the back alley of the store she works at, she scoops it up, no questions asked. That's unfortunate, since the toy in question was involved in a previous night's crime spree, unhinged mass murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) using voodoo to transfer his dying soul into the doll. Now "Chucky" is back to his deadly ways, and it's up to a cynical NYPD detective (Chris Sarandon) to save the day.

Combing a couple of taboo-busting elements (the "child in danger" dynamic) together with some tasty gore, Child's Play really represents a reach for continuing genre relevancy. By the time of its production, the fright film had really exhausted most of its ghastly possibilities. At its core, this is really nothing more than a standard slasher movie accented with one of B-movie icon Dourif's most demented turns. As the voice of Chucky, the plastic reincarnation of his menacing mass murderer, the Oscar-nominated actor manages to find a way to make a pile of vinyl animatronics appear absolutely frightening. It's obvious why this movie fostered an entire Play franchise. Chucky is one of film's more memorable monsters.

The successful prop, realized by effects genius Kevin Yagher, has an equally proficient cast to carry it past the obvious points of problematic suspension of disbelief (it's just a toy after all). Catherine Hicks gets a lot of mileage out of the concerned and cornered parent. She really adds to the aura of dread with her concern for son Andy. As child stars go, young Mr. Vincent is precocious without being cloying, given over to moments where he actually seems scared. Sarandon has the more thankless role, a nonbeliever who slowly comes around to the precarious plaything position. With Dinah Manoff as an early victim and a whacked-out witch doctor who overplays his swan song, the ancillary elements are just as polished as the main narrative drivers.

Of course, we need a director to keep things from completely falling apart, and forgotten fear master Tom Holland definitely delivers. From his work in the wonderful vampire update Fright Night to his scripts for The Beast Within and Psycho II, his creepshow credentials were rock solid come Chucky time, and he really piles on the atmosphere. There are times when the tricks are obvious (a small child substituting for our killer's normally considered mobility) and Holland can truly make us care about the characters, but when its time to offer up some arterial spray, he gives good bloodshed. In fact, for what it is and the era in which it was forged, Child's Play is a solid scary movie. It may not foster a newfound phobia over dolls, but when it comes to genre basics, it's a wicked little wonder.

The new 20th "Birthday" Edition DVD includes two commentary tracks (and some scene-specific commentary from Chucky himself) plus four making-of featurettes.