Watch Poltergeist III

Poltergeist III is a horror movie from 1988 directed by Gary Sherman. It is the third film in the Poltergeist franchise, following Poltergeist in 1982 and Poltergeist II: The Other Side in 1986. The film stars Heather O'Rourke as Carol Anne Freeling, Tom Skerritt as Bruce Gardner, and Nancy Allen as Patricia Wilson. The story takes place in Chicago, where Carol Anne now lives with her aunt and uncle, Patricia and Bruce, in a skyscraper called the John Hancock Center. Carol Anne is attending a school for gifted children, but she is struggling to fit in and adjust to her new environment. Meanwhile, a malevolent force has followed her to the building and is wreaking havoc on its residents.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the setting, which is a departure from the suburban neighborhood of the previous films. The John Hancock Center is an imposing structure with reflective glass windows and a labyrinthine layout, which creates a sense of claustrophobia and disorientation. The filmmakers take advantage of the unusual location to stage several innovative scenes, such as a chase through a mirrored hallway and a confrontation on a partially completed floor.

Another notable element of the film is the use of practical effects and stunts, which give the supernatural occurrences a tangible and unsettling quality. For instance, there are scenes where characters are dragged across the ceiling or thrown into walls, and the impact and weight of the action are palpable. The filmmakers also incorporate eerie sound design and music to enhance the spooky atmosphere.

The performances in the film range from serviceable to strong, with O'Rourke delivering a sympathetic and emotive performance as Carol Anne. Skerritt and Allen have less to work with in terms of character development, but they bring gravitas and credibility to their roles as concerned adults trying to protect Carol Anne from harm. The supporting cast is mostly forgettable, with the exception of Zelda Rubinstein reprising her role as Tangina Barrons, the diminutive and eccentric medium from the previous films.

One issue with the film is the pacing, which is uneven and meandering at times. The first half of the movie focuses on Carol Anne's experiences at school and her interactions with her aunt and uncle, which can feel repetitive and slow. Additionally, the script has several contrivances and plot holes, such as characters making implausible decisions or the rules of the supernatural phenomena being inconsistent and unclear.

However, the film has its share of scares and suspense, particularly in the latter half when the supernatural activity ramps up and the characters are in peril. The finale is a chaotic and surreal sequence that incorporates elements from the previous films and pushes the boundaries of the franchise's mythology.

Overall, Poltergeist III is a flawed but entertaining horror movie that capitalizes on its unique setting and practical effects. It is not as iconic or memorable as its predecessors, but it is worth watching for fans of the franchise or 80s horror in general.

Poltergeist III is a 1988 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7 and a MetaScore of 40.