Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III

Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III
by Brian Gibson, Gary Sherman

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Movie Reviews of Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III

Movie Review: THEY'RE BACK and at a GREAT PRICE ! !
Summary: 5 Stars

That said, I must say that I'm glad to see both of these movies FINALLY released on DVD. Despite the LACK OF EXTRAS they are both presented in WIDESCREEN format and the picture quality on both films is EXCELLENT. Movies that are heavy in special effects need to be seen WIDESCREEN because you realize how much you DON'T see when it's formatted to fit your T.V screen. This is specially evident in P2. Let's just hope that MGM decides to re-release these films in a more deserving DVD package.

POLTERGEIST 2 was originally released in 1986 and did pretty good business at the BOX OFFICE. Although many dismissed it as just another "pointless" sequel, it has stood the test of time due to it's elaborate (and spectacular) special effects and the performance of a very talented actor named Julian Beck who gives one of the creepiest performances EVER in a horror movie. Although he does not get much screen time, the character of REVEREND KANE will send chills up your spine especially during the scene in which Craig T Nelson and the sinister Minister have a few words on the patio of the family's Arizona home. Kane's demeaner changes from friendly to absolutely menacing. Evil emanates from his stare and if you scare easily, he will burn a permanent image of grotesqueness and horror in your sub conscious. Truly eerie. Other highlights include the now infamous VOMIT CREATURE scene and the hilarious (but dazzling) BRACES scene.

POLTERGEIST 2:The Other Side is a spectacular and creepy excursion into the supernatural. It may not be as good as the original but it does have a darker, more menacing atmosphere than it's predessesor and it moves at a faster pace.

POLTERGEIST 3, as previously mentioned was the only film in the franchise that did not RAKE in the BIG BUCKS but has since it's release in 1988, obtained a loyal following. P3 is a LOVE IT or HATE IT type of experience. Those who hate it view it as an INSULT to the original and curse the film for existing (I always laugh at the way it's so unfairly crucified by lover's of the original. Was the original POLTERGEIST THAT GOOD that any movie that pretends to equal it IS STONED TO DEATH?? Whatever!) Others however, enjoy it for what it is- an imaginative ghost story set in an unconventional setting and with some very creepy and inventive mirror effects. I give P3 alot of credit for trying something new and steering the series in a new direction. The Special effects are quite good. They were filmed live mechanically and it does give the film a rather GHOSTLY and MYSTERIOUS atmosphere. Anyone who states today's CGI effects look better are sadly mistaken. Computer Generated Special Effects look good in a fantasy element such as The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter etc, but it has no place in a horror movie. I have said this before and I'll say it again, CGI effects makes today's horror movies look like video games and cartoons. They're just not scary and I know many horror movie buffs will agree. I'm starting to loose hope with today's horror films. I have yet to see a GOOD, SCARY movie ( I think THE RING was the last scary movie that I actually liked). Getting back to P3, the mechanical effects are creative, imaginative, ingenious and quite fun. There are no floating phantasms or monsters like the earlier films but you do get fingers poking out of mirrors, a frozen swimming pool, a breathing door, a ghostly mist freezing everything in it's path and a fantastic and slimy BIRTH scene. POLTERGEIST 3's main flaw however is in it's weak and unsatisfying climax. Especially when compared to the original's nail-biting and dazzling climax and even POLTERGEIST 2's surreal, fantasy inspired ending. However, we now know that this was due to Heather O Rourke's untimely passing before the film wrapped. Gary Sherman who didn't want to continue filming without Heather, had to re-write the ending and a body double (or "dummy"- I can't remember which one) was used in Heather's place. So if the ending feels rushed and uninspired- it was but P3 does move along at a great pace up until that final frame. And one final note to P3 haters- give the film a break. Many will agree that P3 doesn't even come close to the original but not many horror movies do- Let's not forget that the HORROR GENRE only has a few movies that are considered TRUE CLASSICS. And POLTERGEIST 3 looks quite good especially when compared to the other GA-ZILLION horror movies released throughout the 70's, 80's and even 90's- most of which were brainless slasher fares that had nothing more than excess violence and nudity on display. The POLTERGEIST films never stooped down to that level. And I have shown P3 to several of my friends and family members and many of them have enojoyed it and YES original POLTERGEIST fans, I know this may sound hard to believe but many of them have liked it EVEN MORE than the Speilberg/Hooper classic. Even my picky 15 year old niece states it's the "BEST IN THE SERIES" and has watched it at least 10 times.

Anyone wanting to add 2 enjoying and quite frightening films to their DVD collection should get this MGM double feature. Although lacking in EXTRAS, the films look and sound GREAT and you can't beat the price. Let's just hope MGM releases these films in a more worthy and satisfying DVD. They're haunting additons to a CLASSIC CHILLER.

Summary of Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III