You can tell the difference between the original Poltergeist and the sequels to it as well as the remake. The original was meant to be a Steven Spielberg project, back at the peak of his powers, but contractually he couldn’t because of E.T. Thus horror director Tobe Hoober directed his only other hit of note following The Texas Chainsaw Massacre off of Spielberg’s original idea.
It’s telling that the television series based off the movie trilogy, as well as both sequels to the original, wound up being considerably worse material because of the lack of involvement of Spielberg, who got a basic “characters created by” credit. The reboot of the franchise is even deader on arrival than the sequels to the original, failing in theaters because it’s a lifeless, soulless remake of a film that wasn’t very good to begin with.
A couple (Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt) finds what seems to be the perfect house for their young family. Unfortunately it turns out the house was built on an old cemetery and the house is now haunted. Throw in Jared Harris as a paranormal expert, as well, and the film follows their adventures in the paranormal.
The problem with this film is the same as the sequels: the lack of an elite level talent to help guide the film. Spielberg’s lack of involvement with this film leaves it in the hands of those making a fairly generic supernatural horror film, nothing more. There’s a handful of nods to the original throughout, of course, but this feels like someone making a Poltergeist film to keep the rights ala Fantastic Four more than anything else.
The alternate ending to the film, as well as some stills, are included.
20th Century Fox presents Poltergeist (2015). Directed by Gil Kenan. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire based on the story by Steven Spielberg. Starring Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, Jane Adams. Run Time: 93 minutes. Rated PG-13. Released on DVD: 9.29.2015
