The Attic: Poltergeist Trilogy

Welcome to the Attic… they’re heeeere!
That line is synonymous with one of the classic horror films in the 1980s, Steven Spielberg’s Poltergeist. This Tobe Hooper directed blockbuster is proof that a higher budgeted movie can still be creepy as hell. A quaint suburban neighborhood, a happy family of five, good parents who provide for and protect their children… the picture begins like a postcard of the American dream. Until odd things start happening in their home. The idea that it all starts with something sinister reaching out to an innocent little girl, unbeknownst to the parents, is unnerving to anyone. That’s probably what struck a chord the most, and pushed this from being an everyday scarefest to a massive hit in the summer of 1982. This is one of my all time favorite scary movies, and I’ve watched it countless times.

Poltergeist

Get out of there, girl!

As the story unfolds, and after the little girl disappears into a portal in her closet, it is revealed that the reason for the disturbances is the fact that greed led to a subdivision being built over a cemetery. Not to mention that they carelessly left the bodies behind. After all, “no one’s complained… until now” as Steven’s (Craig T Nelson) boss so smugly declares. All hell begins to break loose, and the family’s happy existence is turned upside down. Through the help of kind, knowledgeable investigators, and one tiny little psychic, the family sees it through and survives.

In Poltergeist II, they are tested by evil forces yet again, this time in the form of one of the Goddamn scariest horror characters I’ve ever seen, Kane, played brilliantly by stage actor Julian Beck. The scene where he is standing outside that screen door, demanding “let me in!” is one of my favorites in any horror movie. Even just watching him stand outside their house in the rain, so calm and joyful, is fucking disturbing.

Poltergeist II

Would you like some candy?

The family is trying to get their lives back together, and move past the awful things they had gone through. They have recently moved in with their grandmother and are trying to get on their feet again, facing debt among the many emotional scars. But now with the appearance of Kane, and the sudden loss of their grandmother, it is clear that evil is closing in on them once more. But yet again, the Freelings are guided and protected by the even stronger presence of good, this time in the form of a Native American shaman named Taylor. The family survives this second wave of terror thanks to his strength and wisdom. It is explained who this evil Kane is, and why they’re being still being haunted. Although it’s not at the caliber of the original, it’s still a great horror movie, and one I absolutely love.

Poltergeist III is a bit shakier, however. Carol Anne is older and less innocent looking, therefore the audience feels less sympathetic. She is also the only Freeling in this movie, as she has been sent to the big city to stay with relatives to try and escape the evil that has followed her. She is now protected by the older sister she finds in her cousin, Donna. Carol Anne again suffers visions of the evil Kane (played by Nathan Davis now, since Julian Beck passed away between films) and other ghostly sightings. Tangina, the psychic from the first movie, is again summoned to help the young girl, and in doing so, sacrifices her own life to save Carol Anne’s. This isn’t a bad movie, but it’s by far the weakest of the three.

The change of scenery was perhaps needed to keep the story fresh, but it’s too jarring. It’s not as unnerving to imagine evil in the highrises of Chicago.

Poltergeist III

Most of the scares come from mirrors not showing a mirror image, but the opposite. Or revealing something that can’t be seen otherwise. There are no big favorite scenes in this one, but it’s ok. Definitely good for when you really want a lazy day in the jammies watching all three in a row. This series is classic, and not one to be overlooked by anyone that loves a good scare.

Next Monday I’ll be covering part 2 of this Poltergeist article, where I’ll be sharing what many believe is the curse that surrounds the films, and what may have caused it.
Stay scared,

Dark Princess

2 Responses to The Attic: Poltergeist Trilogy

  1. VegaGoose says:

    When I was younger the first movie flipped me out. I may have to check out the other two now.

  2. […] right, it’s time for part 2 of my Poltergeist fest. Last week I covered the movies themselves. This week, I want to venture beyond the films and into the […]

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