Pet Semetary (1989)



Pet Sematary

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

(Didn't Like It)

Netflix Synopsis: Louis Creed moves his family to the country and discovers a cursed burial ground on his property that brings the dead back to life -- yet with an added streak of evil. An accident soon forces the heartbroken father to contemplate the unthinkable.

The Peeps: Martha Lambry (director); Stephen King (writer); Dale Midkiff, Fred Gwynne, Denise Crosby, Miko Hughes

Quick Run Down: Wanting, Trying, Little Bit of  B.S.

Worth The Watch?: No... Unfortunately, I'd Say 'Next'

The Crandell family of four has just moved into a new house on the outskirts of a small town.  The father, Louis (Dale MidKiff), is a doctor in the city but, after a series of tragic events, he finds his expertise hasn't educated him in the kind of death he's up against.

I want to say I'm a Stephen King fan, but I can't.  I've only read a few of his books, and that was mostly in H.S.  I still think he's an incredible writer, though (despite my lack of readership) for three reasons: he's prolific as all hell; have you seen how many of his shorts and novels have become movies?, and have you read his "On Writing" - Awesome!  All that being said, a good novelist doesn't necessarily design a good screenwriter because the script for this movie is eh.  It moves, but combining movement with a lazy partner (director Lambry) creates an overall sloppy combo that just doesn't make an entertaining dance.  Pet tries and works in certain instances, but, ultimately, it's a series of events that are barely atmostpheric because they only reach out from the center of a morbid tragedy.  That was King's point, well-deserved in his novel (I actually read this one!), but his macabre sense doesn't carry over in the film adaption.  The premise is there, ripe for horror, but the ultimate product is glossy, superficial, and unaffecting.  The "sematary" and the child are the only real selling points and they become used as the film moves on, namely after the actual 'thing' in the story happens.  That doesn't stop some creepiness from ensuing - it's freaking King, guys! - but it still doesn't make for a good horror movie.  When the guillotine finally falls, this is a horror film left mostly frightless.

Fred Gwynne (Munsters) plays the friendly neighbor in this, and he's awesome.  He makes you want to make a fire, pop the top on a bottleneck of beer, and listen to his stories about growing up in the small town.  Also, the kid that plays Gage is the cutest little boy I've ever seen.  He later goes on to play in Mercury Rising, which he's cute in too, but in Pet he's just adorable. 

So, if you want to watch a Stephen King written flick that doesn't do much, have at Pet Sematary.  It's not good, by any means, but there are some mediocre parts that do for minor scares.  Otherwise, I'd say next.  Your call.  It's on Netflix!

Holy crap - look at that face!