POLTERGEIST (2015) – The Review

Well, the big studios have finally gotten around to another summer cinema staple. Let’s see, for 2015 we’ve had a couple of sequels (AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and PITCH PERFECT 2), a reboot (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD), and a brassy lady-driven comedy (HOT PURSUIT). So now, it’s time for that other, often dreaded, “R-word”: the remake (usually called a “re-imagining” by sneaky PR types). Oh, and this is another 1980’s classic like January 2014’s ROBOCOP. But we’ll go back a few years before that shoot-em-up satire of 1987. It’s 1982, the summer of Spielberg, when he had his biggest (at that time) box office smash with E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. Now Mr. S wrote and directed that one, but a few weeks before that opened, he produced and wrote another huge hit. Now, yet another prominent blockbuster director, Sam Raimi, is the producer of this new scare-fest. To paraphrase the original’s classic poster/ad tagline, “It’s heeere’!” And it’s comin’ at ya’ in 3D! Brace yourself for new scares with POLTERGEIST!

As this fresh take begins, we’re again in Chicagoland suburbia as the Bowens (not the Freelings) are about to meet their real estate agent at their (hopefully) new home. Those nasty ole’ electrical towers loom over the homes, much to the disgust of eldest daughter Kendra (Saxon Sharbino), who as a clichéd teenager seems to be aghast at everything. Grade-schooler Madison (Kennedi Clements) is eager for new adventures while the skittish middle child, pre-teen Griffin (Kyle Catlett) is, as always, apprehensive. All’s not rosy with the family since dad Eric (Sam Rockwell) was laid off (we’re guessing the previous home was foreclosed) and mom Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) considers jumping back into the workforce. Since the price is right (and it’s the nicest place they’ve seen), they move in. But things are odd right off the bat. Kendra’s cell phone fizzes out. Griffin’s attic room has a squirrel infestation and the creepiest clown doll collection ever. Plus lil’ Maddie is conversing with her invisible friends more than ever before (especially in front of the static buzzing HDTV). One evening the parents decide to attend a neighborhood dinner party (with a bit of job networking) and leave Kendra in charge for the night. This seems to send out a supernatural party invite and an all-out occult assault ensues. When the parents return, the house is in shambles, Kendra and Griffin are hysterical, and Maddie is missing. Amy heads to a local college and enlists the help of paranormal researcher Dr. Powell (Jane Adams) and her two student aides. When the spirits prove too strong, Powell calls in the cavalry, in the form of cable TV ghost-chasing star Carrigan Burke (Jared Harris). But can this flamboyant media showman return the Bowens’ lost little girl?

The very different acting styles of the two adult leads help set this film apart from its predecessor. Rockwell once again exudes laid-back cool as the patriarch under attack. Here, we get the impression that his wise-acre attitude is a mask to hide his anxiety over the future, more to ease the kids than fool himself, but when the “stuff” hits the fan, this papa charges in head first. As does DeWitt, who tries to put a positive spin on their new economic reality. When the unthinkable occurs, she will go to any and all links, including enlisting the college “loons”. Hers is a quiet, formidable strength. These two have an easy-going, flirty chemistry. Sharbino exhibits teen sass and snark, but lets her guard down to reveal the caring eldest sib. Catlett expertly embodies the sensitive middle male child dropped between two sisters, trying to get past a recent trauma (he was separated from mom on a mall trip), and finally finding his courage and embracing his inner hero. Clements is all bright innocence as the audience’s surrogate sweet angel that must be protected and rescued. Adams ably embodies the quirky academic as she balances between easing the Bowens’ fears and her astonishment at the unearthly events. The biggest re-imagining may be Harris talking over the “cleanser” expert role made most memorable by Zelda Rubinstein originally. Burke’s a true “show-boater” (even using a line from 1982 as his TV catchphrase), but is all business when his realizes the very high stakes involved. He’ll stop the dark forces at any cost to himself.

Director Gil Kenan (CITY OF EMBER, THE MONSTER HOUSE) strives to make this a more intimate terror tale than the original. Back then, the major studios wanted to re-establish themselves in the genre after several “indies” had recently dominated (“Hey folks, we gave you THE EXORCIST, ‘member?”). It’s a touch quieter with fewer “epic-style”, big flashy sequences. We get to see much more of the “other dimension” with some twisted, writhing ghouls that seem straight from our nightmares, but there’s not a “let’s top that last scene” feel with multiple false climaxes. Of course, the “child in danger” plot is an easy tension accelerator, but it doesn’t quite veer into  seedy exploitation (well, maybe the clown doll stuff is overdone). Marc Streitenfeld’s subtle score riffs on Jerry Goldsmith’s classic music while never overwhelming the film (very few loud “scare’ chords). And, whatta’ you know, the 3D is pretty great, separating the setting into distinct planes and a few terrific “in your face” gags. So, is this another “unnecessary” sequel (since the original is in color and a “talkie”)? Well no, but it’s certainly more entertaining than many recent twice told terror tales (looking at you, EVIL DEAD!) and the new casting is pretty inspired. It won’t erase memories of the 82’ model, but the 2015 POLTERGEIST still delivers a decent a spook show. I’m just grateful they didn’t turn it into another tired “found footage” flick.

3.5 Out of 5