Directed by Tobe Hooper
Distributed by Warner Home Video
“They’re here!” Two words that when put together form one of the most familiar film catchphrases of all time. Those two words are sacred ground for both rabid and casual horror fans alike. Hell, mention them to just about anyone and they will almost always get the reference. It’s been twenty-five years since little Carole Anne (O’Rourke) put her hands against her flickering television screen thereby ushering in a bunch of dead folks with a horrid agenda, and there’s a new DVD hitting shelves to celebrate. Too bad everyone has shown up to the party except for anyone who had anything at all to do with the movie.
The Freeling family were very much your ordinary folks. They lived in suburbia, had a dog, a white picket fence, and anything else you could imagine that would make them as non-descript as possible. Yet something strange started happening to them. Their new home began to take on a personality of its own. Things started playfully enough with bending spoons and stacking chairs. For a while the Freelings were even kind of digging on this phenomenon. Then things took a turn for the worse. The ghosties they were sharing their home with finally revealed their intentions — take their daughter and use her to cross over to the other side. Why did they need help? Because the spirits became displaced after their headstones were moved to a different area, but their worldly remains were left to rot under dozens of newly built houses. Yep, nothing like desecrating the memories of hundreds of people by building homes for the living on their final places of rest to get the old haunting juices flowing.
Speaking of history, this release is the 25th Anniversary Edition of Poltergeist. One would expect the usual bells and whistles associated with such a momentous occasion. There’s no denying the film has never looked or sounded better. Its restoration is amazing and so very welcome to see. However, with the exception of one two-part featurette that’s all we get. Come on Warner! What gives? Twenty-five years have passed, and a lot of money has been made not only off of this film, but off of the franchise itself! Surely there’s something to talk about? Maybe the making-of Poltergeist? Some cast and crew interviews? How about the dreaded Poltergeist Curse (read Wiki entry here)? Hey what about the whole “who really directed this film controversy”!?! Wow, what a dropped ball. This is without question the most pitiful 25th Anniversary Edition, EVER.
To say this is a disappointing package is an understatement. If you already own the previous DVD release and don’t care about the new print of the movie then you’re fine just as you are. Skip this. If you haven’t bought the film because you were waiting for a definitive edition, this will pass the time until someone gets their act together and gives this classic the treatment that it deserves.
Special Features
4 1/2 out of 5
Special Features:
1 1/2 out of 5
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