Drive-In Extra – Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Release date: May 23, 1986

Cast:
JoBeth Williams as Diane Freeling
Craig T. Nelson as Steve Freeling
Heather O’ Rourke as Carol Anne Freiling
Oliver Robins as Robbie Freeling
Zelda Rubenstein as Tangina Barrons
Will Sampson as Taylor
Julian Beck as Reverend Kane

Written by Mark Victor & Michael Grais
Directed by Brian Gibson

Plot:
The Freeling family has moved in with Diane’s mother but it’s discovered that the real threat from the other world is in fact the Reverend Kane. He was responsible for the deaths of his followers, discovered buried in a cave beneath the Freeling pool. Kane wants Carol Anne at any cost and no one may be able to stop him this time.

Richard’s Thoughts:
Sometimes, no matter how fun or successful a movie is, it just doesn’t warrant a sequel. But Hollywood will never say no to guaranteed money, so here we have Poltergeist II. It didn’t need to be made but it does give us some additional background to the Beast that tried to take Carol Anne in the first film. It turns out to really be the evil Reverend Kane as his followers were buried in a cave beneath the Freeling pool. Tangina and a Native American named Taylor are here to help this go around.

I loved the character of Kane as actor Julian Beck truly brings forth a creepy and evil performance. Unfortunately, all of the magic from the first film is gone. Diane and Steve aren’t as interesting and Carol Anne isn’t quite as cute and adorable as she was in Poltergeist. There are some fun moments between Steve and Taylor, and the arrival of Tangina is amusing. I also thought the story element of the Freelings’ battle with the insurance company to be a nice realistic touch. However, the new sub-plot of Diane and Carol Anne having some psychic powers seems thrown in (and ultimately forgotten by the third film). Unfortunately, the special effects have not aged well and even the music of Jerry Goldsmith seems less inspired here.

Overally, Poltergeist II: The Other Side isn’t horrible as it does have some fun moments (usually around Reverend Kane). It’s just rather forgettable and unnecessary. The story ends quite well in the original and this one is best left forgotten. That said, it is a lot better than the third film. More on that abomination next time.

Trivia:
The character of Dana is absent from this point on in the series. Actress Dominique Dunne was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in November 1982. After strangling her, which led to her coma and eventual death, John Thomas Sweeney was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 8 years and only served 3 ½ before being released. He eventually changed his name to John Maura in an effort to escape his past.

Availability:
Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III are both available on a DVD double feature for less than $10, which is the best way to go with these unnecessary sequels.