***
When a little girl is kidnapped by spirits, her distressed family hires paranormal investigators to help get her back. Unusual haunted house yarn opens in a comic vein then turns scary as the ghosts become increasingly violent. Unfortunately, the calamitous third act is nothing more than a tangential excuse to showcase a non-stop barrage of special effects. Otherwise, this is a funny, suspenseful film, with a few good PG scares, and a unique sense of wonder. Starring Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, and Heather O'Rourke as the little girl. Remade in 2015.
When a little girl is kidnapped by spirits, her distressed family hires paranormal investigators to help get her back. Unusual haunted house yarn opens in a comic vein then turns scary as the ghosts become increasingly violent. Unfortunately, the calamitous third act is nothing more than a tangential excuse to showcase a non-stop barrage of special effects. Otherwise, this is a funny, suspenseful film, with a few good PG scares, and a unique sense of wonder. Starring Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, and Heather O'Rourke as the little girl. Remade in 2015.