There were key movies in my life that helped to make me who I am today. Movies that I have loved from the moment the opening credit rolled and still love now. This blog series is about those, My guilty pleasures, my favorites, my escapes. Some were very popular, others not so much. Some of these will have some real life take-aways, others are just for fun.
Lately I have been covering franchises that start, contain or are related to some of my favorite films. Today we discuss another instalment from franchise that probably never should have been but somehow has spawned many sequels and has gained a cult following. The franchise, Children of the Corn, the film, the 6th instalment, Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return
Today’s Key Movie:
Isaac’s Return takes place nearly 20 years after the events of the first film following Hannah, a child of one of the former Gatlin Cultists, who is determined to find out more about her heritage. After crashing in a corn field, Hannah soon finds herself in a strange hospital where she is accosted by someone who claims that she is ‘the only one who can stop him’. Soon she finds out that she is somehow connected to Isaac from the original massacre, and must find a way to prevent the return of He Who Walk’s Behind The Rows, or die trying. Starring Natalie Ramsey, Nancy Allen, Paul Popowich, John Franklin and Stacy Keach, this is Children of the Corn 666 Isaac’s Return.
So….is this one any good?
Once again, this is a Children Of The Corn sequel I had never seen until now and I have to say I was actually rather impressed with this one. Returning to the original film, we discover that Isaac was not killed as originally believed, but has remained in a coma for 18 years awaiting the arrival of Hannah to fulfill some prophecy. The story itself is about legacy and how Hannah is tied to the town of Gatlin via her mother who faked her child’s death in order to prevent Isaac and ‘He Who Walk’s Behind The Rows’ from getting to her. We also discover that Isaac somehow has a son, but that is never really explained so we can just pretend right.
Amazingly, This is actually a pretty solid sequel overall. It’s a slow burn like so many of these films tend to be, but it builds on the fears and doubts of someone who is searching for their past and takes those to the extreme. In a way, this really is the only ‘true’ sequel as it continues the original film’s story in a new and interesting way. Sure, like any direct to video film, it has some cheesy moments but, overall, it’s actually pretty good. What really sets this film apart from the rest, besides being a true sequel to the original, is the rather significant cast that appear in this installment. From the the original actor John Franklin returning as Isaac, to the inclusion of both Nancy Allen (of Robocop fame) and Stacy Keach, this film has the most ‘stars’ of any of them so far. This, coupled with a much stronger story than any of the sequels so far, well, I have to say it’s actually worth while.
Overall, if you have to watch any sequel in the franchise, this is really one of the best. While no where near as bloody as the rest, It is one of the few that have direct ties to the original and focuses on more of the psychological horror than the physical. Plus, of course, it sets up a great way to continue the franchise from this point, if they actually pick up these plot threads in future instalments.
OK, where do I get this movie?
This is one worth watching and, while you can get it in the boxed set, you can also watch it here and really, it’s pretty good. Next week we continue this journey into the fields with part 7 Children of the Corn Revelation. Until then…
Late To The Game 1/20/2022
If you would like to read more reviews please check out the rest of the Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday.
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