Review and Synopsis Poltergeist Movie – Produced and written by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist became one of the most anticipated films of its time. Speilberg was at the height of his glory after the success of Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark. In fact, in the same year as Poltergeist, exactly a week after this film released, Spielberg would also release E.T. the legendary one.
Tobe Hooper himself has become one of the most respected horror directors since the success of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the miniseries Salem’s Lot. In the end, the collaboration between the two a success where Poltergeist managed to achieve revenues of over $121 million and now considered one of the best horror films of all time.
The American Film Institue also ranked the film at number 84 on its 100 Years…100 Thrills list. Not only that, Poltergeist also managed to get three Oscar nominations even though in the end it didn’t win a single trophy. You could even say that this film succeeded in introducing the term Poltergeist to people who previously did not understand the meaning behind the word. How scary and great is this horror film?
Also Read : Synopsis & Review of Zathura, a Magical Mysterious Game
Synopsis Poltergeist Movie
Steve (Craig T. Nelson) and Diane Freeling (JoBeth Williams) are a husband and wife who live in a small town called Cuesta Verde. They have three children, namely Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins) and Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke). The five of them lived quietly and happily until one day several mysterious events began to occur in the house. A poltergeist incident where objects moved by themselves occurred in the house.
At first it didn’t feel scary, instead it provided entertainment for them seeing a chair that could move and other unique things. It could said that at first the paranormal incident not scary and there was no threat to the family. Until one day the disturbance turned into a terrifying terror which all culminated in the disappearance of the youngest Carol Anne. Is it true that a group of spirits kidnapped Carol Anne?
Review Poltergeist Movie
In my various reviews on this blog, I have repeatedly stated that I am not a fan of Spielberg’s works. I don’t like his habit of always giving a touch of over-dramatization. However, there is one more thing that I don’t like, namely that Spielberg is often too dominant in working on the films he produces. This clearly seen in Super 8 where the film looks more like Spielberg’s work than J.J. Abrams although Abrams admits that he is a fan of Spielberg’s works. I saw the same thing again in Poltergeist, even the influence felt much greater.
Tobe Hooper, who I know, is a horror director who does not hesitate to present creepy and sadistic scenes in an atmosphere that feels very “seedy” in his films. This can seen in Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Eaten Alive. But what seen here not the film I expected to emerge from the hands of Tobe Hooper. There are almost no scenes that are so terrible and made me cringe. Tobe Hooper’s feelings can perhaps only seen in one or two scenes, for example when a character hallucinates seeing his face peeling off little by little. But the rest really has a stronger Steven Spielberg feel.
Review Poltergeist Movie
The story of a family living in a small town is of course Spielberg’s trademark, only here the family story is wrapped in a haunted house formula. Wrapped in visual effects that were so sophisticated for its time, it really makes Poltergeist feel special from a technological perspective. Again, one thing that is a characteristic and strength of Spielberg. Poltergeist is a well made film. But if you look at it from the perspective of a horror film, then this film is almost nothing scary. Compared to a horror film, this film is more appropriate to be called a fantasy film.
The concept of self-moving objects and supernatural disturbances is clearly a promising basis and could be a terrifying spectacle if worked on well. However, unfortunately this film made to be more friendly as a light family viewing. Poltergeist ultimately only ends up being a horror in the realm of concept, but in the end result it is a family fantasy film that is very light and not scary. Indeed, there are still some quite tense scenes, such as the climax scene involving real human bones, but it’s still not enough. Even in a climax scene that is already quite tense, this film still manages to include a few comedic moments.
