This was an unexpected delight, and I promised myself not to walk into this film with any preconceived notions. Keep it a blank slate, don't sit and compare it with the original or the book - just let it stand on its own and see what I think.
Initial thoughts: "this is going by very quickly!" The film doesn't meander, at all. It dives right in and before you know it, the family is having a lovey gathering outside...close to the road.
Second thoughts: "holy christ almighty!"
The first part of the film may fly by with trusty Easter eggs scattered about to appease the die hard fans, but the second part is a new visualization of the *same but different* story. Best I can describe it is: take your favorite urban legend and then consider all the different ways in which that same story is told over the years...
My brother and I spent a good couple hours talking about this film afterwards. We first hashed over what we liked and then what we didn't like. There was very little we didn't like and in fact, the more we talked about what we liked - the more we developed a mounting respect for the film. This new Pet Sematary was a pleasent surprise and, dare I say, it was refreshing to see story elements removed from this version that felt awkward and weird in the original. And I f*cking love the original.
Key items that kept coming up in conversation:
- The set of the burial ground. Folks, our initial, collective thoughts were: this looks like a set straight out of a 1940's creature feature. This is not an insult! This was fascinating, striking, and it worked very well! I also love 1940's creature features so I was in a happy place (...despite 'the place').
- My brother said: "The cat [Church] is like a mascot for the movie..." Yes. Yes. Yes. Church seems to have integrated himself into this film with an alarming and frightening impact that I wasn't even prepared for.
- ZELDA: If you've ever seen the original, you know the scenes with Zelda are nearly piss-your-pants worthy. I honestly wasn't sure if this version was going to even try and touch that subject. But they did and NAILED IT with a new piss-your-pants experience. I didn't think anyone could create such a terrifying vision, but the Zelda story here is something you don't want to miss.
- No nonsense, straight forward. Both my brother and I agree that the original film sometimes feels like an emotional or dreamlike story (not that we're complaining) - intensity is coming from the heart, a bad nightmare, it messes with your head. This one will also mess with your head, but the story is weaved with more consistency and clarity. Confusing characters are cut, story lines and actions are portrayed with deliberation and equilibrium.
- The creators of this revival *knew* what worked in the previous film and what fans were looking for from the book. Well done, folks.
In all, acting is very well done! This particular story is innovative, cleaver, and thought-provoking! The set, setting, and atmosphere is relayed with a cool but alarming familiarity! And that damn cat IS the mascot for the film... Could do without the children parade though. That's my only main complaint. Was not a fan and didn't see why it was necessary.
***But here's what happened when we left the theater....***
My brother and I walked for several blocks in the dark, quiet, blustery night. I had to take a moment to ask myself if we were in April or October.
The streets were dead silent. Strange noises were coming from unknown sources. Shadows moved and the air didn't feel right. After a moment of silence between us, my brother said, "It's actually really creepy out...".
Me: "Yes! ITS ACTUALLY REALLY SCARY RIGHT NOW."
Folks, the last time I walked out of a theater after watching a horror film and was afraid, was 17 years ago.
17 years ago.
It's taken 17 years to encounter another film where I walk out of a theater with some super intense heebie jeebies. My entire 30s were either completely fearless or it's simply taken that long to have all the elements of watching a horror film in the theater align into a perfect storm.
Still a little shook about how honestly scary that walk after leaving the theater was (less than 24 hours later), I can say this film must have played no small part and yet I cannot specifically say what frightened or disturbed me so much that the outside suddenly became a threatening place. In all, my brother and I hurried to a well lit bar and then spent the next two hours talking about this film. Some beers later, the outside wasn't so scary anymore...
All in all!! If you're a Stephen King fan and/or a fan of Pet Sematary, see this film. Seriously. I think you will also be surprised by it. Also, as much as I really, really, really didn't want to compare this film to the original, I did anyway and I well, now I love both.
Watch with your pets (I came home and smothered my cats with hugs and kisses, promising them that I would never bury them in the Pet Sematary). Pairs with cans of discontinued beer, fire pits, and freshly laundered clothes.
I watched this film in the theater and I think you should too. This is of course not required but I think you'd miss out in some pretty scary experiences if you only had a smaller screen experience.
Take care all and remember: Sometimes dead is better.
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