Poltergeist is
a classic Steven Spielberg movie (he wrote the screenplay and produced it)
released in 1982. It spawned two sequels, and a remake is set to be released in
2015. The movie is really good—it doesn’t rely too heavily on special effects,
even though there are plenty. Instead, the focus is more on the story. The idea
of a child being lost in a realm where spirits who failed to crossover dwell is
engaging enough.
How the family reacts to the situation is also fun to watch: the panic, the
distrust in the self-proclaimed medium, and the skepticism of the people who
show up to help. The movie presents the concept of a poltergeist haunting in a
way that feels real—like how many of us would react if it happened to us.
First, there’s the surprise, then the intrigue, and by the time you realize
that spinning chairs, moving objects, and flickering lights aren’t a good
thing, it’s already too late.
Poltergeist starts
with a little girl, Carol (Heather O’Rourke), who becomes captivated by a voice
only she can hear coming from the TV. The whole family is awakened by her
discovery, and what seems like an overactive imagination quickly turns into a
life-or-death situation. It’s only by sheer luck that the family survives.
The movie was a
financial success and even went up against Spielberg’s other film, E.T. (1982),
at the Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects (it lost to E.T.).
However, Poltergeist is
often seen as a cursed film. Some of the actors died under mysterious
circumstances. Dominique Dunne, who played Dana Freeling, was murdered by her
boyfriend, and Heather O’Rourke passed away after filming Poltergeist III.
Some believe the curse stems from the movie’s use of real human skeletons for
its effects.
My final take on
this movie is that it might not scare you as much as intended, but it will
definitely thrill you. The writing is solid, and the screenplay grabs your
attention and doesn’t let go. Just when you think it’s all over and the family
can finally escape to safety, you’re pulled back in to realize it’s only the
beginning. That’s something I feel many modern horror movies are missing.
Every Poltergeist movie released after this one failed to achieve critical or commercial success, so it’s clear this is the standout film of the series. Go see it, it is worth the time.
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