Pet Sematary (1989)
The Creed family has moved from Chicago to a big house in Maine that is within walking distance to the town's pet cemetery. The area is known for the dangerous Orincon semi-trucks that come barreling down the roads, often killing pets and even a few people. When multiple tragedies struck his household, Louis Creed seeks the "healing" guidance of a forbidden Native American burial ground just beyond the cemetery. Man, another horror title lie; at least the titled gravesite plays into the plot while also being thematically important to the story's attitudes towards death and the grieving process of humanity. Still, this is one nutzoid film, largely thanks to the insane ramblings of Stephen King's script. There are some truly awful dialogue here that should have been cut out but I guess everyone was afraid to say no to the icon. It is also overstuffed with all of these stupid ideas that may be tolerable on paper but are just pointless on film. I'm of course talking about the spinal distorted "monster", the ESP child, the college short-wearing zombie guardian, and the absurd grandparents' home full of unnerving old photos and paintings. Thankfully, there are some elements that keep this from turning into another form of THE LANGOLIERS. Though she has to go with the bad written flow, director Mary Lambert does craft some haunting imagery. The acting is the film's best feature; Fred Gwynne is so incredible as the Creeds' neighbor Jud, stealing every scene without hardly even trying. The kid actors are actually enduring, particularly Miko Hughes as baby Gage, who plays an important part to the movie's most memorable moments. The sole exception, and it's a huge exception, is the lead; Dale Midkiff has the voice of Keanu Reeves and the charisma of a cucumber. I loved the zombie cat Church, short for Winston Churchill, and the minimal yet gory special effects pasted on the animal and some of the other actors. Also, the ending theme by The Ramones is a pretty awesome ear-worm. One of the better good bad movies by the King of Horror.
FINAL REVIEW: 2 / 5
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