Written by: The Arrow
Director: Gary Sherman
Starring:
Tom Skerritt/Bruce
Nancy Allen/Pat
Heather O'Rourke/Carol Ann
Lara Flynn Boyle/Donna
Starring:
Tom Skerritt/Bruce
Nancy Allen/Pat
Heather O'Rourke/Carol Ann
Lara Flynn Boyle/Donna
PLOT-CRUNCH
Carol Ann (O'Rourke) is now
living with her aunt Pat (Allen), her uncle Bruce (Skerrit) and her
cousin Donna (Boyle). They all live in this humongous high rise that has
way too many mirrors. Things start getting weird again when the spirit
of Kane (this time around played by Nathan Davis) comes back to haunt
Carol Ann. Don’t be afraid of the TV, don’t be afraid of toy phones…be
very afraid of mirrors.
THE LOWDOWN
What I respect about the
Poltergeist series is that each film is different. Part 1 and 2 were
very different but they still had the same vibe. Part 3 runs away from
the feel of the first two installment for better and for worse. The
family unit (The Freelings) so prominent in the first two is absent and
replaced by an aunt/uncle/cousin relationship instead. It’s not nearly
as powerful as the "family" in the first two and the film suffers
because of that. On the other hand the change of location is a great
idea. This building is one creepy place, filled with mirrors, which is
the films most efficient trick. Every "scare", "creep out scene" done
via the mirrors works like a charm and is sure to give you the willies.
All the special effects were done "live", on set. Nothing was added in
post prod (unlike the previous two films). The new approach to the gooey
goods worked for me, it gives the visuals a stronger presence. Heather
O'Rourke also gets to act more in this film. The fact that she’s older
helps a lot. It’s sad to watch when you take her death into
consideration. She’s such a sweety and I’m sure she would have grown to
be a good woman.
On the negative side, Bruce (Skerrit) and Pat (Allen) are really not impressed by ghosts. I mean they witness a demon coming out of Carol Ann’s door and they’re all chill about it afterwards. Nothing impresses these two. The film also gets downright confusing halfway through, I never knew what side of the mirror the cast was on and in the end I just gave up and went with it. The film also offers us some teen hijinx that I could’ve went without. In my book we keep that sort of stuff for the Friday The 13th series.
Bringing back Tangina (Rubinstein) was also a bad idea, she feels out of place, has way too many monologues and just doesn’t work. Also what she does in the end totally opposes what the first film was about. The "new" Kane (Nathan Davis) is not nearly as creepy as the original (Julian Beck passed away). Maybe he just pales in comparison to Beck’s chilling turn in part 2.
The film has two characters that I truly despised. One is a very unlikable psychologist Dr. Seaton (Richard Fire) who has dumb as "Jim Carrey" theories on Carol Ann’s "ghost" history…he thinks she’s able to mass hypnotize people. I guess she mass hypnotized the house into the ground in Part 1…duh…his theories suck! I prayed he would die early on and horribly….my prayers were not answered. The other is Donna’s little crush Scott (Kip Wentz). For some reason the man got on my nerves big time. Maybe it’s his Ronald McDonald hairdo, maybe it’s his constant grinning…he just did not appeal to me.
The ending is also very anti climatic. But that’s because they never finished the film. Seventeen minutes of shooting still had to be done when Heather O'Rourke passed on. So what we get is a "bogus" ending that is far from satisfying. I love the Poltergeist series. I love Heather O'Rourke and even with all it’s flaws I liked this movie. I did miss the "Freelings" immensely but the concept is very kool, the acting is decent, the directing is top notch and some scenes really creeped me out. Look inside the looking glass…
On the negative side, Bruce (Skerrit) and Pat (Allen) are really not impressed by ghosts. I mean they witness a demon coming out of Carol Ann’s door and they’re all chill about it afterwards. Nothing impresses these two. The film also gets downright confusing halfway through, I never knew what side of the mirror the cast was on and in the end I just gave up and went with it. The film also offers us some teen hijinx that I could’ve went without. In my book we keep that sort of stuff for the Friday The 13th series.
Bringing back Tangina (Rubinstein) was also a bad idea, she feels out of place, has way too many monologues and just doesn’t work. Also what she does in the end totally opposes what the first film was about. The "new" Kane (Nathan Davis) is not nearly as creepy as the original (Julian Beck passed away). Maybe he just pales in comparison to Beck’s chilling turn in part 2.
The film has two characters that I truly despised. One is a very unlikable psychologist Dr. Seaton (Richard Fire) who has dumb as "Jim Carrey" theories on Carol Ann’s "ghost" history…he thinks she’s able to mass hypnotize people. I guess she mass hypnotized the house into the ground in Part 1…duh…his theories suck! I prayed he would die early on and horribly….my prayers were not answered. The other is Donna’s little crush Scott (Kip Wentz). For some reason the man got on my nerves big time. Maybe it’s his Ronald McDonald hairdo, maybe it’s his constant grinning…he just did not appeal to me.
The ending is also very anti climatic. But that’s because they never finished the film. Seventeen minutes of shooting still had to be done when Heather O'Rourke passed on. So what we get is a "bogus" ending that is far from satisfying. I love the Poltergeist series. I love Heather O'Rourke and even with all it’s flaws I liked this movie. I did miss the "Freelings" immensely but the concept is very kool, the acting is decent, the directing is top notch and some scenes really creeped me out. Look inside the looking glass…
GORE
Some nice possession makeup, a
melting head, a frozen boy and great visuals. The film is not gory but
the effects work. Legendary makeup man "Dick Smith" was consultant on
the film. Gary Sherman designed all of the effects.
ACTING
Tom Skerrit (Bruce) is one
charming man and one of the only actors I know that gets away with
sporting a moustache. He delivers the Skerrit goods here giving yet
another strong show. Nancy Allen (Pat) also does fine as the selfish
aunt. I did feel that the chemistry between Skerrit and Allen was a bit
forced and I was a tad annoyed on how underwhelmed the actors were
towards the ghost activity. Zelda Rubinstein (Tangina) sings most of her
lines and sticks out like a sore thumb. The part worked in the
original, started to lose it’s magic in the second and is un welcomed in
this one. Lara Flynn Boyle (Donna) plays yet another Donna ( she played
Donna on Twin Peaks the show), she handles herself very well and should
win an Oscar for being able to make out with Kip Wentz with a straight
face. Last but certainly not least, Heather O'Rourke (Carol Ann) is all
charm again, it’s nice to see the character be a bit more articulate, a
bit more adult. Her performance is a good one and makes you wonder what
kind of actress she would be today…I’m sure a great one.
T & A
None.
DIRECTING
Sherman is all about mood
with this one. The first shot of Carol Ann and the window washer sets it
all up and after that we embark on one eerie ride. The film also has
crazy lighting, great pans, good shots and mirror trickery that will
freeze your blood.
SOUNDTRACK
Effective spooky score by Joe Renzetti.
BOTTOM LINE
The first Poltergeist is
probably one or better yet THE best ghost movie ever made. Part 2 didn’t
top it and neither does this last installment. I originally saw this
film in the theaters and although it has many flaws I always go back to
it. I watch it at least twice a year. I don’t know if it’s the mirror
stuff, Heather O'Rourke’s last performance or because it’s the end of
the Poltergeist series…I always go back to it. The film takes a big
chance, throwing away a sure bet (no more Freelings and a very new
setting) and gambling with a new approach. Some of it works, some of it
doesn’t but one things for sure, it’s not a copy or a reworking of the
first two…actually change Carol Ann’s name to Denise and this film could
stand on it’s own, apart from the previous two movies. That’s a sign of
a brave sequel.
BULL'S EYE
Heather O'Rourke passed away
on February 1, 1988. RIP. It’s weird cause I remember crying when I read
about it in the paper .…I never understood why I cried …
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