The original "Poltergeist" is one of the few films I've ever rated a '10'. It was scary funny and suspenseful. "Poltergeist II: The Other Side" is none of these things.

This sequel is as perfect of an example of everyone involved going through the motions as I think I've ever seen. The majority of the cast is flat. From Craig Nelson to Zelda Rubenstein almost nothing works. JoBeth Williams is okay and Julian Kane is disturbingly odd as the twisted Kane but there's no comparison to the incredible work the cast of the original movie turned out.

I noticed as the credits rolled after the movie's conclusion that creatures were designed by H.R. Giger of "Alien" fame. Sure enough there was a couple of stunning creatures that were grotesque enough for me to believe he had some influence in their creation. One pretty amazing moment was when Steve (Craig T. Nelson) actually vomits up a big slug in his bedroom. It looks painful because it is as large as his mouth can stretch to heave it out. Then the thing quickly grows into a slimy legless man-beast that slithers away only to terrorize both Steve and Diane in the hallway later. It's a gross-out but a highlight.

I always like to mention something vague about a movie's ending that at least may help others decide whether watching ultimately pays off or not. "Poltergeist II" concludes with a WTF-did-I-just-witness moment. It's weird. Really weird. The ending reminded me of "The Black Hole" and "Altered States". Story-wise there's not really a similarity but it would be hard for me to believe that it wasn't influenced by a little recreational drug use.

The makers of "Poltergeist II: The Other Side" tried to make a carbon copy of the original but they were almost entirely unsuccessful.