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THE DOLL MASTER (Korean)



Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: JEONG Yong-Ki
Starring: LIM Eun-Kyeong, KIM Yu-mi
RunTime: -
Released By: Encore Films & UIP
Rating: PG

Release Date: 28 October 2004

Synopsis :

A sophisticated sculptor, Hemi, and 4 other people are invited to a gallery of dolls. They are excited to pose to be a doll model. Superintendent, Mr. Choi, and Jae-won, a doll-maker, are the hosts who invite them to this gallery.

The gallery is in the beautiful forest, and the surrounding is just like fairy tales, but there are some uneasy things to enjoy themselves. The superintendent is hiding something from them. The doll maker Jae-won, who's helped by a wheel chair doesn't come out of her workroom. Hemi meets Mina, a mysterious girl who says she has known Hemi for years.

The strange noises at night…and the dolls seem to keep an eye on the every movement the guests are making as if they were real human beings.

Movie Review:

The first impression of this film reminds one of Child’s Play. Chances are most people will pass this for some Hollywood remakes of a Japanese horror movie that happen to be in the cinema now. And well, "The Doll Master" is surprisingly one hell of a ride!

This Korean horror movie is much better than the previous Korean import ‘Bunshinsaba: Ouija Board’. Even though both have the same theme: Revenge. But the formal contain more suspenseful scenes that will leave you at the edge of your seat. And that is the idea of a horror movie, the ability to scare the living daylight out of the audience irregardless of how lame the plot is. The plot isn’t lame by the way but neither is it original.

Of course it would be pointless to explain every single detail of the story or the fact that the movie is filled with plot holes [which films don’t?]. But "Doll Master" is a great fright feast. And if you just want a good fright to end the day, this is a good one!

The best way to sum this movie up is "Toy Story" meets "Child’s Play" meets "Waxwork".

This is going to be one strong contender for the best horror movie of 2004. Forget "Exorcist: The Beginning", "The Grudge" and "Bunshinsaba: Ouija Board". Till ‘Shutter’ or ‘SAW’ opens, "The Doll Master" is highly recommend to all horror fans. On a side note, Dimension Films has bought the original and remake rights. Another Hollywood remake is on it's way.

Till then, you will dig out your old toys and apologize to them after watching this movie.

Movie Rating: B+

Review by our columnist, StoneApe


  Publicity Stills of "The Doll Master" (Courtesy from UIP & Encore Films)

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