Film: Poltergeist
Cast: Jared Adams, Sam Rockwell
Director: Gil Kenan
Horror films can be divided into two broad categories namely good and bad. A good horror movie leaves viewers with goose bumps running down their spines. On the other hand, a bad one fails to create an impact, leaving the audience utterly frustrated. This week’s release 'Poltergeist' unfortunately, falls into the second category.
A remake of the eponymous 1982 classic, 'Poltergeist' revolves around the strange events which ruin a financially challenged family’s otherwise normal live when they move into a new apartment. Directed by Gil Kenan, the movie boasts of a decent plot. However, it is letdown by a truly unimaginative screenplay.
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, the script relies heavily on the tried and tested formula of using a child’s innocence to create fear. Apart from this, the screenplay also utilizes other cliches such as creaking doors and loud noises, resulting in a 'seen it before' feel.
Moreover, there is a small romantic track as well which just does not gel with the tone of the film. As a result, it comes across as forced and unnecessary. The same sadly holds true for the light-hearted scenes as well. They go a long in diluting the film’s dark nature, resulting in a narrative which goes absolutely nowhere at all. To make matters worse most of the characters come across as mere caricatures, thanks to some shallow writing.
That said and done, there are one or two scenes which have been executed reasonably well. The ‘they are coming’ scene is a case in point. It is perhaps the only sequence that forces the viewer to suspend his/her disbelief. Moreover, the sequence highlighting the arrival of the poltergeist too leaves some impact.The scene has a certain amount of shock value associated with it.
As far as performances are concerned, Sam Rockwell has done a reasonably good job. However, his act comes across as a bit mechanical in some scenes.
Rosemarie Dewitt is strictly okay. The child actors have handled their parts pretty well. But it is Jared Adams who proves to be the scene-stealer, delivering a restrained yet powerful performance.
The background music is pretty effective. It does a good job of simulating the feelings which the lame narrative fails to highlight.
The cinematography especially towards the climax is good. The use of flickering lights in some scenes plays a big role in conveying the sense of unpredictability associated with them. Interestingly, the way shadows have been used in the some of the scenes is a bit reminiscent of the cult classic ‘The Crow’.
The editing could have been a bit better. The big ‘twist’ towards the end should have been chopped off. Everything following it is a merely rehash.
To sum up, 'Poltergeist' is just a half-baked film which serves as reminder of why some films just cannot, dare not and must not be remade.
Rating: 1.5/5
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