Review of Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) by Vince K — 08 Feb 2010

Poltergeist II: The Other Side is a pretty decent sequel, and definitely made an impact, but the first one was SO great that it really doesn't match-up. It has a lot of good points; exploring the background story of the ghosts that haunted the Freeling family in the original was an interesting idea.

Turns out a religious cult leader named Kane led his followers to California in the early 1800s, convinced that the end of the world was coming. He traps everyone in an underground cave, and when the day doesn't come, he lets everyone die.

This is directly where the Freeling house was built atop of 200 years later. And they need young Carol-Anne to feed off her light. Another cool thing was the revelation that she is clairvoyant; she can feel colors and just altogether "knows things".

The family is now free-loading off of JoBeth Williams' mother, and it isn't long before the ghosts find them. A really cool Indian guy shows up to help them, who is working with the first movie's midget psychic Tangerina (played by Zelda Rubinstein, who died, literally JUST died like 2 weeks ago - today is 2/8/10).

I always loved Indian characters in movies, and this guy is so awesomely noble. He even quit drinking years ago; which was a good idea because that kills every Indian like, ever (although I'm pretty sure his medicine pouch is filled with peyote).

Craig T. Nelson acts like a major dick in this one, constantly yelling about everything and being ridiculously skeptical. This is funny after what happened to him in the first one. The Other Side was made 4 years after the original, and while the cinematography has definitely improved, it seems the special effects are not as good.

I think the main problem here though is that they are simply not as creative. When I saw Bobby's braces shoot metal wires everywhere and try to kill everybody I kind of laughed my ass off. The most memorable scene is definitely where the dad drinks a whole bottle of tequila and eats the worm.

He pukes up a gigantic worm monster that grows and grows and it is horrifying as fuck. Scared the shit out of me when I was little. The ghosts appear to be VERY powerful, and seem to be trying VERY hard to kill the Freeling family and take Carol-Anne.

You'd think with all that power they'd be able to get the job done, but no. This is kind of explained by saying that the family's "Power of Love" overcomes all obstacles - a concept invented by Huey Lewis in the mid-'80s.

But still, when a flying chainsaw is coming after you in the garage and you finally are able to peel out of there, I would think it would come hauling down the street after you. I am also pissed off by how the ghosts are destroying the new house, which they inherit from JoBeth William's mother.

I mean, they're almost broke and got really lucky there with that one. They don't need gigantic worm monsters busting through the ceiling and skeletons popping out of the closets every five seconds.

The one great effect in the movie is the stunning visual at the end, where the Freeling family has entered the other dimension and are floating there against a threatening sky, while being attacked by a gigantic crazy-looking monster-thing.

I've had dreams like that. Poltergeist II, although the story is good, seems to be just going through the motions. Sequels are usually required when the original makes a lot of money, but I'd say Poltergeist II is a lot better than there being NO sequel.

It made some money as well, which resulted in the very forced and unnecessary third installment. That was even a little hard to watch since Heather O'Rourke (Carol Anne) died just months before itâ??s release in a bad medical mishap.