Watched "Poltergeist 2" last night. Hadn't seen it since ... I honestly don't remember it was so long ago. But I had a lot of fun revisiting it. It's not as good as the first - a problem that plagues most sequels unless directed by James Cameron. I could do without the religious overtones and Native American stereotyping. But other than that, there's plenty to like here.
First off, I like that it's more of a possession movie than a ghost movie - that a demon is trying to possess Carol Anne so it can break the family's spirit and ultimately destroy them. To be honest, I didn't even pick up on this thread when I was a kid. I just thought ... the ghosts are back. End of story. I don't know why Taylor's explanation, or the tequila-worm-possession didn't clue me in. Oh well.
I love the score by Jerry Goldsmith that continues material from the first film, while moving away from heavy orchestration towards a more synth-heavy sound with Native American elements. And his use of the 'God is in His holy temple' hymn is inspired. The monster designs by H. R. Giger (see last post) are among my faves from 80s horror films, specifically the Vomit Monster and "Great Beast" manifestation of Kane that appears in the astral plane. I know some folks fault how Giger's sketches were translated to the big screen - but I think they're pretty damn cool (thank you, Richard Edlund). And lastly, there are some excellent performances here. Julian Beck nails it as the malevolent reverend. He still gives me the heebie-jeebies. Will Sampson does a fine job as the mystical medicine man. I mean, I buy it. And I really REALLY enjoyed JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson in their reprised roles as Diane and Steve Freeling. There are moments (again I go back to the tequila worm possession) when they are seriously acting their faces off.
First off, I like that it's more of a possession movie than a ghost movie - that a demon is trying to possess Carol Anne so it can break the family's spirit and ultimately destroy them. To be honest, I didn't even pick up on this thread when I was a kid. I just thought ... the ghosts are back. End of story. I don't know why Taylor's explanation, or the tequila-worm-possession didn't clue me in. Oh well.
I love the score by Jerry Goldsmith that continues material from the first film, while moving away from heavy orchestration towards a more synth-heavy sound with Native American elements. And his use of the 'God is in His holy temple' hymn is inspired. The monster designs by H. R. Giger (see last post) are among my faves from 80s horror films, specifically the Vomit Monster and "Great Beast" manifestation of Kane that appears in the astral plane. I know some folks fault how Giger's sketches were translated to the big screen - but I think they're pretty damn cool (thank you, Richard Edlund). And lastly, there are some excellent performances here. Julian Beck nails it as the malevolent reverend. He still gives me the heebie-jeebies. Will Sampson does a fine job as the mystical medicine man. I mean, I buy it. And I really REALLY enjoyed JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson in their reprised roles as Diane and Steve Freeling. There are moments (again I go back to the tequila worm possession) when they are seriously acting their faces off.