Poltergeist

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke
Written by: Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais

Director: Tobe Hooper
Year: 1982

Rating: * * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus  - )   Total: * * * *

"They're here."

When the television goes off the air, a strange broadcast begins that only Carol Anne (Heather O"Rourke) can see and hear. It seems the dead speak to her, and just when the rest of the family gets wise to the supernatural goings on within the home, the unthinkable happens. Tthe young girl is kidnapped, still residing within the home but on the other side. Tormented by the hauntings, and the stress of being unable to rescue their little girl from the clutches of the dead, they turn to a team of paranormal investigators, who then defer to a medium, in order to get her back.

Special effects meet Spielberg's sensibilities creating a modern day ghost story of epic proportions. Creaking doors and loud bangs are just light hearted homages to traditional haunted house stories. No, here we get a tree that tries to eat Robby, Carol Anne's brother, a giant dog thing that guards the entrance to the kid's room, and corpses that rise from the swimming pool. All of which pale in comparison to the entire house which implodes into the spirit world. Yes, this film goes way over-the-top, yet skillfully never strains credibility. 

Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams play the roles of the parents who's sanity hangs on by a thread as they desperately try and get their daughter back. Moments of sheer terror are blended with moments of tenderness giving audiences a true roller coaster experience. Consider the scene where Carol Anne can be heard running down the stairs and passes through the body of her Mother. She breaks down and cries as for a moment she felt an intimate connection to her child. She could even smell her on her clothes. Than just as suddenly, an inhuman growl is heard causing alarm as they realize whatever this is must be chasing her. Just an incredibly, well paced film.

The movie inspired two sequels, one fair, the third sub-par, as well as a mini-series. In 2013, a remake will befall us. Till then, this near 30 year film still delivers the goods.

SEE THE TRAILER: Poltergeist