While 1982’s Tobe Hooper directed and written by Steven Spielberg Poltergeist is largely considered one of the greatest Horror movies of all time, it is the tagline of “They’re Back” from 1986 Poltergeist II: The Other Side that resonates most loudly through history. A line as pure as Jack Nicholson improvised “Here’s Johnny” from 1980’s The Shining, “They’re Back” is something we have all heard a million times over when others say it in an attempt to spook us. Immortalized by the sweet, little voice of Heather O’Rourke (who portrays Carol Anne in the Poltergeist trilogy), while the phrase’s cultural significance has lasted longer than the feature itself, Poltergeist II: The Other Side is still a worthy sequel.
Released in theaters on May 23, 1986, Poltergeist II: The Other Side, while neither Hooper nor Spielberg returned, Michael Grais and Mark Victor (who co-wrote the previous film with Spielberg), did as writer and producer, while English Filmmaker Brian Gibson handled the directing. Joining them you have the centralized Freeling family returning (JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Oliver Robins, Heather O’Rourke), but sadly minus Dominique Dunne as Dana Freeling, because she tragically was murdered in November of 1982. Joining them you had the unmistakable Zelda Rubinstein back as eccentric medium Tangina Barrons, but unforgettable newcomers Will Sampson as a wise Native American named Taylor sent to help the Freeling family, and Julian Beck as nightmarish entity, Reverend Henry Kane.
Picking up one year after the Freeling’s house has dramatically vanished into thin air in a classic closing sequence in 1982’s Poltergeist which finds Nelson’s Steve Freeling shaking slimy boss Mr. Lewis Teague (played by the late, great James Karen) screaming, “You only moved the headstones!,” the family is trying to make sense of everything. Naturally, they still are in disbelief, haggling with the insurance company trying to explain how the house disappeared, and attempting to put their lives back together. Unfortunately, the entities have tracked them down, and particularly seek for Carol Anne to cross over to the other side. In a battle for their and Carol Anne’s lives, the Freelings once more have to stay strong as a unit to survive.
A decent enough storyline, while the mood of Poltergeist II: The Other Side is not as frightening as the original film, it still has plenty of disturbing moments that stick with you. For starters, there is no denying that Beck’s portrayal of Reverend Henry Kane is terrifying. Projecting an image that sticks with you, with respect for Mr. Beck, in real life he was in the midst of a two-year battle with stomach cancer at the time of filming… so his appearance was legitimately fragile and drawn in. Sadly he passed before Poltergeist II: The Other Side was ever released, but without a doubt, he made an impact on the film’s effect.
Adding more to the film’s visual intensity, you had the fantastic artistry of H. R. Giger handling some of the effects. Interestingly enough Giger was not entirely satisfied with the final product, but ask anyone, and they will tell you the special effects he assisted with stand out. Beyond this Award-winning Composer Jerry Goldsmith returned to score Poltergeist II: The Other Side, thus sealing the deal for an underrated, but eerie Horror film.
Now nearly four decades since Poltergeist II: The Other Side emerged, while critics and casual viewers have not been kind to it, the film still holds a place in the hearts of true Horror fans. Something many youth may recall catching on premiere cable channels like HBO back in the late ’80s, it had its shelf life in local video stores into the ‘90s, before arriving on DVD in 2003 as a double feature with 1988’s Poltergeist III. Relegated to a double-feature bundle for many years to follow, finally, in 2017 Scream Factory offered it standalone in a Blu-ray format. Pleasing fans, 2024 is arguably the biggest year for Poltergeist II: The Other Side with the first ever 4K Ultra HD format release.
Put out on August 27, 2024, once again through Scream Factory, the new Collector’s Edition set features Poltergeist II: The Other Side on a 4K Ultra HD disc, as well as a Blu-ray. Presenting the film in a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, the colors are more defined, the imagery sharper, and overall there seems to be more depth. Transferred with care, you also get a bunch of extras that were a part of the 2017 Blu-ray; such as interviews and They’re Back: The Making of Poltergeist II.
Packed together in a standard 4K case, there is also the original theatrical imagery on the cover art, as well as a nice cardboard sleeve. Altogether, this 4K Collector’s Edition is the most complete physical format release of Poltergeist II: The Other Side yet, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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