Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)
Studio: MGM/20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release: May 23rd, 1986
Blu Ray Release: September 13th, 2011
PG-13
Review by James Klein
Although this blu ray was released months prior as a Best Buy Exclusive, MGM has now released Poltergeist II: The Other Side nationwide. Fans of the smash hit sequel may already have this blu ray and can back me up in saying that Poltergeist II has never looked this good. I own the old Poltergeist II/III DVD and have been so used to television broadcasts and old VHS tapes that the film always looked overly grainy and cheap. Not the case here. In its widescreen format, Poltergeist II looks and sounds great. It’s a shame though that the sequel doesn’t hold a candle to the original.
Poltergeist II starts off just months after the Freeling family left their haunted house who are now broke and living with Diane’s grandmother. While the family members try to evolve to their new living conditions (I really like the joke about refusing to own a T.V.) Carol Anne seems to have no memory of what happened months prior. She has been drawing pictures of a strange preacher man who seem to be haunting her which only Carol Anne’s grandmother picks up on this. We also find out that Carol Anne may have telekinetic powers, which was later brought up more prominently in Poltergeist III. When the grandmother passes away suddenly, she calls Carol Anne on her toy phone to tell her that she is all right. It’s dramatic scenes like this that reminds one of the original film and how Poltergeist wasn’t just a horror movie with ghosts. However, Poltergeist II soon falls victim to that category during the middle of the second act.
- Read the full story at UnRatedFilm.com
Poltergeist IITheatrical Release: May 23rd, 1986
Blu Ray Release: September 13th, 2011
PG-13
Review by James Klein
Although this blu ray was released months prior as a Best Buy Exclusive, MGM has now released Poltergeist II: The Other Side nationwide. Fans of the smash hit sequel may already have this blu ray and can back me up in saying that Poltergeist II has never looked this good. I own the old Poltergeist II/III DVD and have been so used to television broadcasts and old VHS tapes that the film always looked overly grainy and cheap. Not the case here. In its widescreen format, Poltergeist II looks and sounds great. It’s a shame though that the sequel doesn’t hold a candle to the original.
Poltergeist II starts off just months after the Freeling family left their haunted house who are now broke and living with Diane’s grandmother. While the family members try to evolve to their new living conditions (I really like the joke about refusing to own a T.V.) Carol Anne seems to have no memory of what happened months prior. She has been drawing pictures of a strange preacher man who seem to be haunting her which only Carol Anne’s grandmother picks up on this. We also find out that Carol Anne may have telekinetic powers, which was later brought up more prominently in Poltergeist III. When the grandmother passes away suddenly, she calls Carol Anne on her toy phone to tell her that she is all right. It’s dramatic scenes like this that reminds one of the original film and how Poltergeist wasn’t just a horror movie with ghosts. However, Poltergeist II soon falls victim to that category during the middle of the second act.
- Read the full story at UnRatedFilm.com
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