Customer Reviews

Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought the original "Poltergeist" an amazing film full of great atmosphere, likeable characters, and nicely done frights. Remember the paranormal researcher pulling his face apart in the mirror? The crawling slab of steak loaded with maggots? The corpse filled pit in the backyard? The young son counting the seconds between booms of thunder and flashes of lightening? The original "Poltergeist" had thrills aplenty. And then it all fell apart. Hollywood, in its inimitably greedy style, promptly laid the groundwork for a sequel. Why not? The suits knew the dupes would line up at the box office like good little sheep, willing to shell out millions of dollars for what is essentially a rehash of the original effort. Well, "Poltergeist II" is better than your average sequel to a smash hit, but just barely. What will really feel like a stone in your shoe is the sequel to the sequel, the heap o' screeching metal and flaming wreckage that is "Poltergeist III." The final entry in the series is so bad, so utterly devoid of any of the elements that fueled the success of the original, that my DVD player loudly protested--with sounds I will not recreate here--my efforts to watch it.

"Poltergeist II" reacquaints us with the hapless Freeling family several months after the nightmare depicted in the first film. Still homeless after watching their spacious, modern abode implode into thin air, Steve and Diane Freeling (Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams) along with their children Robby and Carol Anne (Oliver Robins and Heather O'Rourke), now live with Diane's mother Jess far from the tainted ghost and corpse filled suburbs. Steve now sells vacuum cleaners for a living instead of real estate, and the couple spends most of their time fighting with the insurance company over compensation for the disappearing house. Grandma Jess likes the idea of the family staying with her even as she notices Carol Anne's amazing clairvoyant powers. When Grams dies in her sleep, the nightmare begins anew as the poltergeists from the first movie track down Carol Anne. The spirits seek to find a way to the "light" (don't we all?), and won't rest until they get their way. Meanwhile, psychic investigator Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein) and an Indian shaman named Taylor (Will Sampson) investigate the site of the Freeling's destroyed home. It turns out that a religious zealot named Kane brought a bunch of followers out to California in the 19th century and promptly killed them in the name of utopian glory. It is the ghosts of Kane and his followers who seek the attentions of Carol Anne, with Kane himself turning up in the flesh to torment the Freelings.

We should rightly classify "Poltergeist III" not as a horror film but as a disaster epic. On this outing, Carol Anne (once again played by the indomitable Heather O'Rourke) turns up in a Chicago high rise where she lives with her Uncle Bruce (Tom Skerritt), her Aunt Pat (Nancy Allen), and her obnoxious cousin Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle doing her best to look like Winona Ryder). Zelda Rubinstein reprises her role as the psychic Tangina for a third time. Sure enough, weird things start happening when a nerdy school counselor hypnotizes Carol Anne and opens a doorway through which the dauntless Kane returns. That's about all that happens in this schlockfest, although director Gary Sherman tricks up this installment with lots of dry ice and mirrors that provide little in the way of chills or thrills. "Poltergeist III" is a cheap, cheesy movie that deserves the obscurity in which it currently resides.

Fans of the original movie will appreciate the reappearance of Craig Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Oliver Robins, and Heather O'Rourke in the second entry. I always thought some of the charm of the original came from the slightly bawdy antics and great chemistry of this cast. Nelson and Williams in particular have great presence onscreen, and truly do come off as a married couple just trying to raise their family in peace. Will Sampson's often humorous Taylor character is greatly appreciated, as is the downright sinister Julian Beck as the evil Reverend Kane. Beck's emaciated appearance and creepy accent do much to elevate this sequel from the realm of mediocrity. As for the spooky paranormal encounters, Nelson coughs up a mutated tequila worm, Robins battles his braces in the bathroom, and Williams shrieks her way through a couple more corpse scenes. Overall, "Poltergeist II" is good. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about "Poltergeist III." Nancy Allen and Tom Skerritt have the all the allure of speed bumps, Boyle grates as a giggling teenybopper airhead, O'Rourke is wooden as Carol Anne, and Rubinstein's hammy performance attains epic proportions. The effects are acceptable, but the dialogue is clumsy and the pacing slow. What really killed the movie for me were the late 1980's fashion styles seen throughout the film.

Thanks (I think) to MGM for releasing these films in their praiseworthy double feature collection. As usual, the only extras for both films are a trailer and scene selection menu. The disc presents both films in widescreen formats with excellent picture transfers. I think it would have been nice to have a commentary track with the actors for the second film; I would have liked to hear Nelson and Williams talk about their roles. Two actresses associated with the "Poltergeist" franchise, Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke, have since died. Dunne's boyfriend murdered her after the first film and O'Rourke died during surgery. If you have seen the first film, you will probably want to watch these two as well. Just exercise extreme caution with "Poltergeist III," a movie so bad it has caused extreme cranial trauma to those poor souls who watch it.

I've been really disappointed at the way MGM has treated the POLTERGEIST trilogy on DVD. First things first, the original POLTERGEIST was a MEGA-hit grossing over 70 million in the US alone and eventually grossing over 150 million in the international BOX OFFICE. So it's fair to say that MGM made ALOT of money on that particular film, so why is it that it was given shoddy treatment when released on DVD? It was released only with a theatrical trailer as an EXTRA. The first sequel, POLTERGEIST 2 was a decent-sized hit in 1986 grossing over 40 million in the US alone and let's not forget that the Special Effects were nominated for an OSCAR. Again, this film was released only with a theatrical trailer as an EXTRA. The least succesful film of the series was POLTERGEIST 3 which opened in the top 5 the first week but went downhill after that. However the film does have a CULT and fanatical following - many (dare I say it) have liked it even more than the original to the dismay of "original" POLTERGEIST loyalist. Again, it is presented along with P2 with only a theatrical trailer as a bonus. Why is MGM being so stingy? ? Especially when other horror movies that weren't as popular are being released in awesome DVD packaging and loaded with extras.

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.

I'm glad to have Poltergeist 2 on DVD, as it's one of the better horror sequels. Most of the cast is reunited, and it somewhat succeeds at taking a minor point from the first film (the Native American burial ground) and creating the interesting character of Taylor, played by the late Will Sampson.

But it's Julian Beck as the super-creepy Kane that makes this one worth seeing. You just might have nightmares after watching him do his best to cajole Carole Anne to the "other side."

On the flip side, the whole clairvoyant thing is overdone (Carole Anne has a connection to the spirit world, so her mother AND grandmother must have one too? Yeah...), and the ending is a pretty big letdown.

And speaking of letdowns, just try to get thru Poltergeist 3. Poor little Carol Anne has been shipped off to Chicago to live with relatives (Nancy Allen and Tom Skeritt. Yawn.) but Kane (played by another actor since Beck had passed away) finds her. What then ensues are a bunch of cheap effects and ridiculous plot turns that insult rather than frighten. As you're popping the disc out after watching (or abandoning) the film, just remember: you got the infinitely superior Poltergeist 2 for a great price!

POLTERGEIST II works brilliantly. The original cast is there, and the addition of the Medicine man, and Julian Beck makes for a brilliant combination. Grandma makes the most subtlest contribution in the initial story arc, but is most apparent in the spiritual denoument.
Beck is the most malevolent character in this film, and is truly an original. For a man as talented as he is, he just makes the reverend work as a character.

POLTERGEIST III is a weak script that works thanks to Skerrit, and a good supporting cast. The theme of the spirits on the other side of the mirror is worked out well. What few people seem to have noticed is just how much this theme has been worked into other horror films.

I have enjoyed all two of these films. Heather O'Rourke works hard to make her role happen. It is very sad that she passed away before the film's release, and in true sordid PR fashion. Heathers death was milked for all the publicity they could get.

Brilliant films
ENJOY.

Poltergeist 2 was creepy, that old man in there made it scary. It started out a little slow at first, then after that it started to pick up. For Poltergeist part 3 I liked that one more. It just seemed scarier because here they were in the city where it seemed Carol Ann could be safe but she wasn't. The only thing though is, I know that the man who played "kane," in part 2 had passed away after that movie, but for part 3 I think they could have found someone else that looked more like him. Overall if you haven't seen part 2 or 3, you might want to rent it first. If you want to buy both the movies, you can buy them both for the price of one.

Collecting both Poltergeist sequels on one disc, neither Poltergeist 2: The Other Side or Poltergeist 3 could hope to live up to the original Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg classic. The second film, featuring the return of almost the entire cast, finds the Freeling family haunted by some malicious ghosts again. While it has some good special effects (for it's time) and some genuine scares, Poltergeist 2 lacks the creeped out atmosphere that made the original film so good, but it is better than the next sequel. Poltergeist 3 finds the late Heather O'Rourke as the only returning cast member, this time living with her uncle and aunt (Tom Skerritt and Nancy Allen) and being chased by the malevolant ghosts once again. This film, undoubtadly the worst in the series, lacks everything that made the original so good, and anything that made Poltergeist 2 somewhat redeemable. There are no extras included on the DVD, but I guess that's the price to pay when you get two movies on one disc at a cheap price.

The first "Poltegeist" movie was a smash hit, and naturally the producers in Hollywood saw a franchise in the making. Close to three years after the first movie, "Poltergeist II: The Other Side" debuted in theaters. This first sequel was decent as a haunted house thrill ride, but the original flare of the first film seems lost. In the original movie, we learn that the housing development the Freeling family resides in was built on top of an old cemetary, which apparently ticked off the souls interred there. In the second movie, we are given further explanation for why the Freelings' home was particularly targeted over the other houses int he community: beneath the cemetary, directly beneath the Freelings' home was the burial site of a bizarre religious cult that committed mass suicide under the direction of an insane Reverend Kane. Wrestling with insurance companies over the uncertain fate of their home, the Freelings (Jobeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson) have been forced to move in with Diane Freeling's mother. Soon, the spirits from the development track down the Freeling family, in the form of a fiendish Reverend Kane (Julian Beck), and again attempt to steal away Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) to lead them into "the light". The family is once again aided by the "magical munchin" (as said by Craig T. Nelson in this sequel) Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein) with the assistance of an Indian shaman named Taylor (Will Sampson). The frights include Robbie Freeling's braces cocooning the poor boy and Steven Freeling ingesting a possessed worm from a bottle of tequila. The movie culminates in a slightly hokey conclusion as the family returns to the site of their missing home from the first film. Notably absent is the teenage Freeling daughter played by Dominique Dunne (the actress was murdered in 1983). Apparently, the director (Brian Gibson) had originally conceived of the idea that the character was away at college, though this never made it to the theatrical version.

"Poltergeist III" is an entirely different package. There was a novel idea proposed with this film: what would it be like if a skyscraper apartment community was haunted? Imagine Trump Tower being visited by the spectres from the first film. It is an intriguing concept that was regretably executed with all the excitement of unbuttered toast. While Heather O'Rourke and Zelda Rubinstein reprise their signature roles from the previous films, the rest of cast is new. Carol Anne Freeling is temporarily residing with her Aunt Pat (Nancy Allen) and Uncle Bruce (Tom Skeritt) in a Chicago highrise, while Carol Anne attends a special school for "gifted" children. The school's founder, Dr. Seaton (Richard Fire), shows no empathy or compassion for any of the gifted children under his supervision. His hypnosis sessions with Carol Anne lure the demonic Reverend Kane from "Poltegeist II" to Chicago, and then all hell breaks loose (though not as hellish as the other entries in the franchise). While the frightening events of the previous films transpired over the course of weeks, this plot covers a single day from beginning to end. The Tangina character feels very different and rather hokey compared to her original depiction. Bruce and Pat Gardner are a poor substitute for Steven and Diane Freeling. And then there's Lara Flynn Boyle playing the Gardners' daughter Donna, an obnoxious version of Dominique Dunne's character from the first film. The director of this film, Gary Sherman, admitted that he wanted to prove that this could be a great horror film without using the high budget special effects employed in the first two films, which is why audiences are left with clouds from subliming dry ice and reflections in mirrors not mimicking their real life counterparts. This entry severely lacks any truly frightening scenes. In the first movie, Tobe Hooper expertly exploited childhood fears of clowns and monsters under the bed and in the closet. In the second movie, Brian Gibson produced gruesome images of demonic tequila worms being regurgitated, a child being engulfed by his braces, and a sinister priest. I cannot find a single aspect of Gary Sherman's creation that taps into some primal fear. Sure, it would be extremely disconcerting to encounter your reflection doing something you are not, but the way it is executed in this film lacks any scare. The Reverend Kane character (this time played by Nathan Davis, since Julian Beck died after the second film) is reduced to a laughable presence here. Even sadder is that Heather O'Rourke died during the making of this film. A different, possibly more satisfying ending was filmed, but the studio did not like it and ordered a re-shoot. Unfortunately, O'Rourke had passed away by this time, so in the rushed new ending we never see Carol Anne's face because it is a stand-in. I really want to like this movie since the concept is an interesting one, and I very much enjoyed the previous two films in the franchise. However, this production is nothing more than a "what not to do" as a movie director.

The films are on opposite sides of the single disk in the set. Each comes with a menu allowing for chapter selection, language modification, and the original trailers for each film. It is pretty bare bones as far as extras go. Perhaps, in the future, we will be treated with a special edition set with deleted scenes including the much speculated orignal ending of "Poltergeist III". However, if you are a fan of the Poltergeist franchise, this is clearly a must-own set.

After the success of the original 1982 blockbuster hit, "Poltergeist" (Directed and produced marvelously by Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg) Brian Gibson went on to direct the sequel which turned out to be just as good as the first film carrying some of the same special effects and similarities. "Poltergeist III" on the other hand was a decent entry, though not the best and sadly, Heather O' Rourke died before the films release. It's really a shame, because I'm sure she would've grown up to be very beautiful, considering her act is still adorable and she hasn't lost her touch at all.

These two films which were released by MGM are on this special DOUBLE FEATURE disk and it is truly the best edition for anyone to complete the horrifying trilogy. Here's a complete description and details for both films:

"POLTERGEIST II: The Other Side" (1986)
RATING: ****

Once again, the Freeling family faces the supernatural of their new home after their first one was destroyed in the original. An evil demon named Kane takes the form of a church preacher who's out to capture Carol-Anne in order to bring her back to 'the Other Side' and get rid of her family in the process. With the help of a new character, the Indian Taylor (performed excellently by Will Sampson) they must return to the ruins of their old home (an underground tomb) and defeat Kain in a climatic battle where only love and hope can keep them together.

OVERALL: Almost as good as the original was! Zelda Rubinstein also returns in this one as the psychic, Tangina and is just as good as she was in the first. One of the main reasons I enjoyed this a lot was because of Julian Beck's wonderful and convincing performance as Kane. His image truly haunts you even after you watch him on the screen.
The acting was also very well done by JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson and the storyline, while being a bit farfetched at times, was executed well. Fans of the first will especially enjoy this one. RATED: PG-13 for disturbing imagery, some scary moments, and mild language.

"POLTERGEIST III" (1988)
RATING: ***

The third and final installment to the "Poltergeist" trilogy, where young Carol-Anne (Heather O' Rourke's last role) is shipped off to Chicago to spend the summer with her aunt (Nancy Allen) and uncle (Tom Skerrit) and also to be examined and tested on by professionals who are studying her "gift". Living on the top floor of a skyscraper, everything seems to have returned to normal for our heroine. However, the evil demon Kane (This time played by both Nathan Davis & Corey Burton) is ressurected from his hellish grave after Dr. Seaton (Richard Fire) revives Carol-Anne's long forgotten nightmarish past. From there, all hell breaks loose as the ghosts from the previous films plot to pull Carol-Anne back over to the other side yet again along with her cousin (Laura Flynn Boyle) and eliminate all who stand in their way. Now, it's up to her uncle Bruce & her aunt Patricia to take a scary journey through the many hidden corriders and passageways of this tall urban funhouse and rescue both their children before the supernatural takes over the ENTIRE skyscraper! If you thought the first two films were scary enough for them to take over a house, wait until you see them move to the big city!

OVERALL: Not bad. Many people do not like this one as much, but I thought it was pretty good even though it's the weakest in the whole trilogy. I'm guessing the main reason it's not as popular is because of the REALLY cheesy special effects (which is still fun to watch) and the so-so acting. I wouldn't consider this as much of a high-budget (as was with the first two films) but low-budget flick that carries some of the B movie elements. I don't really understand why they couldn't have made the ghastly spirits effects or the objects moving on their own like they did in the prequels. I think Zelda Rubinstein who plays the role of Tangina saves the film and she still hasn't lost her touch to play her role. I know it's not the best, but it's still worth a watch to see the final chapter in the legacy come to an end and complete the trilogy. RATED: PG-13 for disturbing imagery, some scary moments, strong language, and a bit of blood and gore. To be honest, if I'd been directing this one, I would've given it an R rating because it's the most intense and crazy entry in the whole series!

Both of these films are in their WIDESCREEN anamorphic formats and the Special Features include the original theatrical trailers. They make a good bundle to watch whenever you're bored and goes good with some soda (or beer) and popcorn! Again though as far as Special Features are, there could've been more. As I explained before, there are no BTS footage, let alone cast interviews or director commentaries. But don't let that keep you from buying these two great films for one low price! The picture quality is excellent and the sound is also excellent. BUY TODAY! I also reccomend the original (and still the BEST) "Poltergeist" on DVD. It is one of the best horror series ever made and Kane's villain rules up there with that of Jason Voorhees and Freddy Kruegar. Don't miss it!!

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that in and of itself, Poltergeist II is one of the most well-plotted but weakly executed horror films ever. The abrupt and tacked-on ending seems to be just an excuse to throw in some fancy pseudo-CGI effects, and the end scene leaves you feeling dissatisfied if not completely cheated. But, to the infinite good fortune of the producers, a staff-employed psychic who had a hand in casting the film chose for the role of the evil Reverend Kane an actor whose bone-chilling countenance and blood-curdling voice will linger with you long after the end credits have ceased. The masterful two to three-minutes total screen time that Julian Beck was allotted is worth the ENTIRE price tag all by itself!!! He OWNS the screen. As soon as he walks into frame, you can actually FEEL the impending doom and death wafting off of him in thick, smoky waves. Reverend Kane IS death, in the flesh. He's also my personal pick for Scariest Movie Villain Of All Time! Oh, and Poltergeist III is pretty cool also!

All the Main Protagonists are back,before the fiasco of Part 3,this movie sandwiched between them is at least decent but sadly lost potential,I love the Native American added to the equation,I Like the creepy Old Guy character but I found it a little too easy for the so-called "Reverend" to have been As Most Un-Holywood Portrayals of religion to be in bad taste(Despite being a Catholic myself and knowing that such Protestant Sects sadly exist.)Other than that,It just doesn't hold my attention as much,I remember being creeped out and sickened by the liquor-worm,It still isn't Part 1(The Original.)