With POLTERGEIST III, this trilogy comes to a close, and with a pretty fun entry as well. I preferred part III over II, mainly because this felt more like its own film and not a carbon copy of the original. That is the issue with part II as much fun and entertaining as it is, it doesn’t exactly aim for something different. At least here, the setting is different and the entire atmosphere is rather different as well. This film only sees the return of Heather O’Rourke as Carol Anne and Zelda Rubinstein as Tangina. But let’s be honest, these two are by far the most interesting and entertaining aspects, and it makes sense that they would return. That isn’t the say the actors from the previous films were good, but this does open up a different dynamic.
Here we see that Carole Anne has moved to Chicago with her Uncle Bruce (Tom Skerritt), new aunt Pat (Nancy Allen) and cousin Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle). They live in a new apartment complex that also a Mall and many other features. Carol Anne attends a special school, where no one believes the supernatural stories she has to tell. However it is unfortunate for all involved because Rev. Kane (Nathan Davis) is haunting Carol Anne and those around her again, and they must find a way to stop him.
I think what really made this work for me was the setting was completely different, the apartment complex that also has a Mall and a carpark ect changed the way the haunted elements really worked. Rev. Kane appeared in reflections, and those gave the film good atmosphere as the audience and or Carol Anne could see them but not everyone else. With the film mainly being set in that location, it did open for some interesting sequences, and it felt different than just being at a house. Not sure I entirely liked the Dr. Seaton character, he’s basically saying its all in their heads yet they can all see the same weird things happening, plus the performance left a lot to be desired.
As always Heather O’Rourke gives a great and compelling performance, there is no doubt she had such a gift and sadly she passed before the film came out. She really was the heart and soul of each instalment, and her spirit really does live on with these films and people can continue to enjoy what she left for us. Zelda Rubinstein again does what she does best and owns every scene, she manages to make the ridiculous believable and she’s great. Unfortunately there weren’t as many scenes with her in this because she had to leave the film due to her own mother passing away. Tom Skerritt and Nancy Allen are welcome new additions, and they do a rather admirable job, I liked them as a couple and they had good chemistry together. Lara Flynn Boyle I believe made her debut with this film, and she is really good, but sadly underused.
I am not ashamed to say I had a really good time with this film, I vaguely remembered seeing it as a kid and it was a lot of fun to rediscover it. Sure it isn’t perfect by any means, and there are a lot of silly and hokey moments, but they kind of add to the film in a strange way. As a whole the series is extremely enjoyable, and while unfortunately a lot of people associated with these films have passed since then, they do live on with them.
Rating:
The Super Network 