Poltergeist (3D)
DIRECTOR: Gil Kenan
CAST: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, Jane Adams, Kyle Catlett, Kennedi Clements, Saxon Sharbino
CLASSIFICATION: PG13 HPPS
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes
RATING: ***
WHEN a movie is deemed a classic, purists consider any attempt at a remake sacrilegious.
It is easy to understand their strong sentiments. If something is done well, why undo the impact of that film with a feeble reimagining? However, there are some other things to consider like the generation gap and the evolved technological landscape.
What appeals to our parents doesn’t particularly tickle our fancy and vice versa. That said, it is easier to appreciate the need for reboots like Poltergeist (3D).
This movie has attracted mixed reviews. But that’s not surprising. Kenan has bastardised the original with the humorous undertones in this film. But, for the better part of the movie, he stays true to the original tale.
The movie opens with the Bowen family moving into a more affordable home after Eric (Rockwell) is laid off. His teenage daughter, Kendra, is not impressed by their downgrade, while Griffin, who is very sensitive to the dark, starts noticing some weird happenings on the first night. Meanwhile, the baby of the family, Madison (aka Maddy), seems to have a new invisible friend. And mom Amy tries her best to ensure everyone is okay, while trying to curb her husband’s lavish spending.
Soon things get really hairy when Eric and Amy go to a party to welcome them to the neighbourhood and the kids are left at home. Kendra is almost swallowed by a mud pit in the basement, Griffin is tree-napped and Maddy disappears into the closet.
And so the Bowens turn to the Paranormal Research Department from Amy’s alma mater.
Besides discovering that Maddy is trapped in an alternate universe, the family learn that their home is built on an old cemetery – some-thing the real estate agent conveniently forgot to mention.
With the help of investigator Dr Brooke Powell and her estranged husband Carrigan Burke, they manage to get Maddy back… only to find that the poltergeists haunting them have no intention of letting her go.
DeWitt and Rockwell are fantastically paired as parents. They create a heart-warming ambience with their unconditional love with their kids. And their financial woes makes them relatable characters, too.
Clements is brilliantly cast. She is the epitome of innocence and cuteness, all in one.
Overall, there are plenty of jump-in-your-seat moments. From the clowns in the closet, the demon-like tree, the flickering lights etc.
And, to relieve the terrifying tension, there are bursts of funny dialogue – especially in the final scene. The use of the cellphones, the reality TV star slant and the hi-tech gadgets used will resonate with teenagers. Then again, this movie was made for them. Having seen both, I found this reboot entertaining.
If you liked any of the previous Poltergeist movies, Annabelle or The Conjuring, you should enjoy this.