Even with a few creepy moments, this remake doesn’t bring much new to the table. The original “Poltergeist” is one of my all-time favorite films, so the new one has big shoes to fill. There’s a much quicker pace throughout the new film. Immediately after the family enters their new home, there are already ominous signs. The suburban family vibe that permeated the original film is lacking here, and there’s only just enough of a family dynamic to keep you emotionally invested. There are a few moments the feel so true to life that is makes sense that the adults take no heed as to what dangers the children have encountered. Many of the iconic moments from the first film are watered down and don’t have the same impact. A few new twists, some with the help of modern technology, add some freaky visuals. The revelation in the first film of why the spirits are upset was a huge moment, but here it’s just tossed in as an educated guess by one of the characters. The ending of the film feels rushed, and is unsatisfying. The actors do a fair job. Sam Rockwell, who is more familiar to me for his offbeat roles, feels miscast as a family man. Kennedi Clements comes across so childlike and innocent that she seems like she’s just a little girl being herself and not acting. Jared Harris’ Carrigan Burke is far less memorable as the Zelda Rubistein character from the original.
** out of *****