Blade the Iron Cross

Director - John Lechago (Blood Gnome, Feast of Fear)

Starring - Tania Fox (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Puppet Master: Axis Termination), Vincent Cusimano (Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark, The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol), and Griffin Blazi (Only Children, Bear's Frolic)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Up to this point I've reviewed every Puppet Master released over the years.  A few years back I was lucky enough to get the trunk release with all the films on blu.  Last year I received the remake starring Reno 911's Thomas Lennon.  Most of the films were highly entertaining but a few of them were just quick cash grabs.  They lacked the fun and creativity that the others had which made them fall short.  When news of the Deadly Ten broke I was excited for most of the movies announced.  However, I was skeptical of Blade the Iron Cross.  However, that changed after reviewing Weedjies: Halloweed Night and Necropolis: Legion.  I was fully commited to Blade the Iron Cross.  Full Moon was kind enough to send a review copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film takes place in the early 1940s.  A journalist has secret psychic powers and uses them to get the scoop on unsolved murders.  However, she finds herself in the wrong place at the right time when she happens across several dead bodies with ties to Nazi sympathizers that are working on a way to crack Toulon's elixir.  She partners with a police detective and her puppet friend Blade to stop the Nazi's from creating a death ray.  

     I went into this one expecting a fun and cheesy entry in the Puppet Master series and was greeted with a period piece that was actually more focused on Nazi experimentation than it was the Puppet Master series.  I really enjoyed what it brought to the table but it's lack of PM did make it feel odd.  The acting in this one is solid.  Tania Fox returns as Elisa which was in Axis Termination.  We get a little more backstory on the character and she does a great job.  Her supporting cast is solid as well.  I want to take the time to mention everyone by name but I would be here forever.  They all do a great job and bring some memorable characters to life.  The story for this one was not what I was expecting but it works.  It doesn't feel like a Puppet Master film.  We do get Blade for some fo the last half of the film but the main focus of the film is Elisa and the Nazi scientists running experiments.  Don't get me wrong because I really liked the movie but it lacked that look and feel that made Puppet Master so much fun.  Honestly, I need a Puppet Master in a more modern setting because the Nazi saga is starting to run it's course.  Finally, the film has several kills.  We get some practical stabs with some solid effects but we also get some very cheesy visuals.  I really enjoyed the kills because they fit the film but the visuals were pretty bad.  Overall, Blade the Iron Cross is not the best entry in the Puppet Master series but it works for what it is.  Honestly, I could have been a little easier to swallow if it was just a spinoff based on Elisa and her powers but it works for what it is.  Don't go into this one expecting the original Puppet Master because you will be disappointed.  However, if you are open to the experience then you will enjoy it.  Check it out.