DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Michael Winnick
Starring James Marsters, Jolene Blalock, Tony Todd, Natasha Alam
Released 27 July 2007

A group of people wake up in an enclosed asylum in their underwear and with their memories completely wiped. To make matters worse a strange, fast-moving creature is stalking them - with its only fear being bright light…

Shadow Puppets begins like a rip-off of the underrated Canadian shocker Cube (which already inspired the original Saw) before taking a bizarre turn of its own – mixing mad scientists with an especially ropey CGI-created monstrosity that is nothing more than a big, black blob. Still, the movie’s characters (which includes a serious turn from Buffy star Marsters) are very well fleshed out and easy to root for. Moreover, the Candyman himself – Tony Todd – makes a welcome appearance as an ex-convict who looks and acts far more menacing than the film’s flaccid beastie.

However, as the plot bellyflops to an unsatisfying conclusion the only question that really remains is whether or not director Winnick made the movie simply so he could feature lots of gratuitous close ups of gorgeous leading lady Blalock, and former model Alam, in their undies.

The DVD comes with a lengthy compilation of on-set interviews and a director’s commentary track. Calum Waddell

VERDICT: 6/10
Shadow Puppets starts out well but soon becomes bogged down in one plot twist too many.