“Poltergeist” was one of those first horror films I saw at the theater, and I can still remember the impact it had on me so, like many fans of the original, I had my doubts when word came that it was going to be remade. Thankfully, the word also came with the name Sam Raimi, who did a pretty amazing remake on his own classic cult film “Evil Dead.” Check out the trailer below along with some first look images that hit this week.
Sam Raimi’s “Poltergeist” trailer and poster have arrived, USA Today reported yesterday, and they’re looking very good.
Gil Kenan is directing the classic 1982 horror movie from Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg, and this time you’ll be able to see it in 3D. Most of the time when a classic film gets remade, fans of the original get worked up feeling that there’s no need to redo something great. Fans of the “Evil Dead” film felt the same way, but original creator Raimi showed them that he could breathe new life into a classic. From the look of the trailer, this could be the case once again as it has that creepy feel I remember the original one giving me at the theater.
Kenan is well aware of the pitfalls of remaking a classic and had this to say about it. “Whenever someone approaches material that’s so beloved, there’s a reflexive reaction to be worried,” he said. “It’s a responsibility we take very seriously. We’re working to make a Poltergeist film that lives up to the original’s legacy.”
David Lindsay-Abaire’s script focuses on the Bowens (Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt), who unsuspectingly move into a home that’s already home to spirits that don’t really appreciate their presence. Keeping with the original film, their eight year old child (Kennedi Clements) is abducted by the angry entities and it’s up to supernatural researcher and clairvoyant, played by Jared Harris to save her.
The remake updates the story taking it into the 21st century meaning there’s even more technological devices for the spirit world to enter.
“The original film commented on how we’ve let television get out of control, babysitting our kids,” said producer Raimi. “It’s only gotten worse with the handheld portable devices. Screens are everywhere.”
Hooper’s “Poltergeist” was PG, but at that time it felt like it really pushed the limits. This one is already rated PG-13 so they’re hoping to recreate the same creepiness.
“The film is super-scary. And it’s scary on its own terms,” said Kenan.
“Poltergeist” will hit theaters on July 24.