Poltergeist (Movie Review)
By Casey on October 31st, 2014
In
1982, Tobe Hooper managed to put together a haunted house movie filled
over the top ghost antics, some mildly disgusting special effects and
some chilling scenes that stick with a person for life. The fact that
he gave us such a frightening film, all within the boundaries of a PG
rating is still surprising to this day.
One of the secrets to Poltergeist's winning
formula is its use of practical effects alongside early computerized
effects to provide a film packed full of scares. Even better, the film
does not rely heavily on the easy jump scare to get you moving in your
seat. Instead, Hooper presents his monsters in the open, letting us
experience the chaos that is affecting the Freeling family, right along
side them.Adding to the magic is a fantastic cast that feels realistic and down to earth, allowing the viewer to connect with them on the most basic level. Throughout the film, the family feels like every other middle class family, working hard to make ends meet while raising a healthy and happy family. As the events begin to unfold in their house, the viewer can feel the weight of what they are experiencing, because it feels like it could be happening to anyone's faimly.
The story behind Poltergeist also holds significant weight. It’s steeped in backstory that unravels gradually throughout film, with a payoff that arrives right at climax of ghostly events. We come to find that it isn’t just a simple unexplained haunting, but one with a specific purpose. The elements that lead to the haunting are shocking and grimy, and leaves the viewer with a bad taste for such repulsive acts.
Filmed in 1982, Poltergeist manages to hold up well through a modern lens. While the effects and scenery are certainly dated, the film manages to feel scarier than most modern takes of the same subject matter.
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