Poltergeist 2: The Other Side (1986)

When a film is so extremely successful, the temptation to try to recapture that magic in a sequel is hard to resist. Sadly, the magic was not to be found in "Poltergeist 2: The Other Side". While the film is decent and watchable, it brings down the quality of the franchise by being such an inferior entry; the good news is that it is still vastly better than the third and final entry of the franchise! The movie focuses on the Freeling family, with all the same characters and actors as before with the exception of the older daughter Dana, played by Dominique Dunne and who killed in 1982 by a jealous boyfriend. Jerry Goldsmith wrote a new score for the sequel, only using Carol Anne's theme from the original film.

The Freeling family has relocated to Arizona and is living with Diane's mother, Grandma Jess. Grandma Jess is a clairvoyant and tells Diane that she and Carol Anne have this ability as well. This is one reason why the evil Beast from the original film is able to find them; the Beast has taken on a human form known as Kane. He finds the family and makes several attempts to steal back Carol Anne. It's discovered, by Tangina and her friend Taylor, that Kane was an deluded reverend who led his congragation into a cave believing that the end of the world was coming, but after the date had passed, he refused to let anyone leave. And of course that cave was right underneath the Freeling's home in the original film! The family decides to take a stand against the Beast/Kane by following him into the cave and on to the "Other Side". Indian Shaman magic takes place, Carol Anne almost goes in to the Light, and Grandma Jess makes a last moment appearance saving the day.

Steven and Taylor

In the cave

The Beast, the Reverend Henry Kane