Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Poltergeist II: The Other Side’

Written by Scott Edwards

There is nothing better in life than being able to prove that you were right. With so much second guessing going on, it seems like you never have a chance to prove to anyone that you actually know what you are talking about. It happens all over the place, at work, with your friends and at home, and when you are able to stop the second guessing for even a couple minutes and prove that you know what you are talking about, there is no greater feeling. It can be difficult to prove your point, but you need to just stick with it, because when are able to, you will find that the questions will start to drop off and people will start taking you for your word.

Excavations have started under the old Freeling house, or at least where the swimming pool's foundation was being laid down. Being led by Tangina, the woman who helped bring Carol Anne back to the land of the living, she is feeling something more powerful than she has ever felt before. Calling her friend Taylor to take a look, the new medicine man already knows what he is looking at...a tomb where nothing holy can preside. The two know that the beast has been there and with so many dead bodies buried under an old Indian burial ground, nothing good can be in the future for the Freeling family, even if they continue to move around.

Steve and Diane have no other choice than to move in with Diane’s mother until they are able to get a claim filed for their house disappearing. Even though it is not the ideal situation, they are trying to make the best of it and their kids seem to be doing fine. While Carol Anne does not remember being sucked into another realm, Diane does and every once in a while, she will catch a glimpse or have a dream about something that the future has in store for her. Watching her granddaughter, Gramma-Jess notices the same traits in the young girl that she has embraced in herself, the power of knowing things that others do not. Gramma-Jess wants the young girl to utilize this gift, but Diane wants nothing to do with it, as she has forgotten all about it ever since she has grown up.

---

Waking up in the middle of the night, Carol Anne leaves her room and visits her grandmother one last time after getting a phone call on her toy phone from her. Getting up in the morning, the young girl sees her parents in shambles because of the old woman’s passing. Knowing that Gramma-Jess will be all right, Carol Anne tries to calm her mother, but Diane is starting to have the visions again, and does not know who or what is causing them. While in town, Carol Anne gets separated from her mother and an old man stops and talks to her. Introducing himself as Henry Kane, Carol Anne knows that there is something strange about this man, especially since she sees the living move through him as if he isn't even there.  Even her mother and brother can see Kane, but have no idea why Carol Anne is so afraid of him, much less who he really is.

Arriving at the Freeling’s new home, Taylor is trying to warn the family to stay put, since running will do them no good since the beast has found them again. Knowing what the beast is after, he tries to explain himself, but when strange things start happening in the house, Diane and Steve want to get as far away from it as they can.  Being able to convince the family that he is here to help, Taylor is welcomed in to the home and he tries to help the family the best way that he knows how, by teaching them to be strong and be a family. When Kane comes knocking at the door and tries to tell Steve that Taylor is taking his family’s love and respect from him, Steve starts to believe the words coming out of the old man’s mouth, but when he is able to break free from the trance, he knows what Taylor is preaching is right. Keeping the family together is the only way that the Freeling’s can defeat the beast, but with all of the power being thrown against them, it may be easier said than done.

Sequels are a difficult thing to do, especially in the horror genre. I was surprised that another Poltergeist movie came out since the first one had such a complete ending, but alas it did. I actually liked this movie as much as the first one and even though it did not put me on the edge of my seat, it had something different to it. Maybe it was the lack of the creepy clown, or maybe because you got to see who was really after Carol Anne and how much power the beast actually has and is willing to put forth to get the little girl. Being able to torment the entire family now, I am still blown away by the Steve possession scene where love really comes into the storyline. I also liked watching as Robbie tried to grow up faster than he normally would, and his overactive imagination finally seemed to be under control so now he can become the man of the house. Not a bad movie at all, and I must admit that I am a little disappointed that there was not ectoplasm all over the place, but it was not needed as much as I thought. Stay Scared.

---