Review of Poltergeist III (1988) by Harry W — 09 May 2013

Poltergeist III seems like nothing but a cheaply constructed star vehicle for Heather O'Rourke that attempts to cash in on the commercial success of its predecessors. However, I'm largely glad it was made.

Not because it adds to Poltergeist, I mean the second one was enough and the third one is basically an improvisation with minimal horror themes that aren't overused cheap paranormal themes from every paranormal horror film ever made, as well as cheap elements from teenage horror films combined in.

Mostly, it features a sub par cast and a series of confusing plot dynamics which leave them little to work with, and it really seems like nobody really bothered with Poltergeist III aside from Heather O'Rourke. And I don't know if Zelda Rubenstein was good or bad but either way she could have been better.

Also, it has an unimpressive script and a lack of sufficient narrative structure and is just no excuse to put together a second sequel, and lastly it's just boring and slowly paced, and it seems like 93 painful minutes that take forever, and leaves its subplots to disintegrate around the characters and make the audience forget them too fast.

So altogether, Poltergeist III is an unimaginative bludge that sufficiently lacks in every area except one, the one reason I'm happy Poltergeist III was created.

That of course, was because it provides a star vehicle for the talented young Heather O'Rourke at age 12 in a role where Carol Anne Freeling has developed into a wise talking pre-teen girl still burdened with paranormal problems, and Heather O'Rourke's line delivery is surprisingly confident and excellently executed, more so than you'd expect from a girl this young. Her work on the first two and on Happy Days has really paid off, and now her talents are flourishing in definitely her best performance yet. She makes use of childish sweetness and charm as well as strong acting techniques such as implementing tears in to add emotional intensity which pays off because, but she doesn't get enough screen time after the first half of the story and it relies more on Tom Skerritt and Nancy Allen who aren't impressive. But Heather O'Rourke is sufficiently great.

Also, I enjoyed Lara Flynn Boyle's performance, I part because I've grown to like her work on Twin Peaks and in part just because she was convincing.

So it's safe to say that Poltergeist III sucked, but Heather O'Rourke was great in her final performance. May she Rest in Peace.