CINEMA REVIEW: Poltergeist (15)

Vicki Newman

vicki.newman@jpress.co.uk

10:24Tuesday 26 May 2015

They seem to be remaking everything these days.

These modernised versions of classic films rarely live up to the original, begging the question, why did they even bother?

Generally speaking, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ should be the mantra of the film industry, but as far as remakes go, the new Poltergeist film is actually quite good.

Admittedly it’s been years since I’ve seen the 1982 original, but I can still remember the chills it sent down my spine.
This new release has been brought up-to-date and seems to include as much modern technology as it can, from iPhones to a mini drone.
It stars Sam Rockwell as Eric Bowen, who along with his wife, Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) and their three children, move into a new home after money troubles mean they can’t afford the one they’ve been living in.

 Vicki Newman @VickiNewmanJP

They're remaking everything these days, but the new Poltergeist was actually canny good. Had a few jumps watching it @CineworldBoldon.

4:05 PM - 24 May 2015

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As the youngest daughter Madison (Kennedi Clements) talks to her ‘imaginary’ friends, her brother Griffin (Kyle Catlett), begins to notice spooky goings-on in the house.
And one night when eldest sibling Kendra (Saxon Sharbino) is babysitting, the spirits haunting the house take Madison, and the family must work together to bring her home.

The horror has all those jumpy moments that you’d expect, as well as mind tricks and special effects that are used well to create a tense atmosphere.
The 21st century remake also made use of 3D technology, but it was nothing too exciting and didn’t seem to make much of a difference.

Horror movie remake Poltergeist is out now.

It was never going to be as good as the original, and I wouldn’t be in a massive rush to see it again, but as far as a night at the flicks watching a scary movie goes, I did enjoy it.
I jumped with fright, there were those moments when I didn’t want to look, and I laughed with my friend about how scared we’d been – that’s exactly what I want from a horror.

Poltergeist is out now. See it at Cineworld Boldon. Click here to book tickets.
Twitter: @VickiNewmanJP

It was never going to be as good as the original, and I wouldn’t be in a massive rush to see it again, but as far as a night at the flicks watching a scary movie goes, I did enjoy it.