By Michael Foster-Sanders/campus editor
“Sometimes dead is better” is a quote from Stephen King’s novel turned movie twice over, “Pet Sematary” and the studio behind this 2019 remake should have heeded the warning because this remake is pointless, uninspired and downright garbage.
Trying not to compare a remake with an original film is hard because you want to be fair. But when the original movie is so good, it’s not an option, especially when the film had the opportunity to be excellent.
“Pet Sematary” is about Dr. Louis Creed who makes the decision with his wife to move from Boston to Maine to get away from the hustle of the city. While settling into their new home, the family cat is killed. Their new neighbor Jud Crandall recommends to bury the cat in the woods behind Pet Sematary.
Then, all hell breaks loose.
What this movie does right, and that’s very few things, is it expands on the backstory of Rachel Creed and her sister Zelda Goldman making viewers feel Rachel’s pain for the tragedy that happens in her childhood and gives more background with the legend of the cursed land.
Directors Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer retread the same ground as the original adaption with a few twists that were given away by trailers before its release. Also, underusing the wonderful cast that includes veteran actors such as John Lithgow and Jason Clarke is a disservice within itself. Not saying they didn’t bring their A-game to the project, but compared to the phenomenal acting of the original cast, Dale Midkiff, Fred Gwynne and Miko Hughes, they can’t compare.
The settings and tone, which are supposed to be scary and horrific, come off as lazy and funny compared to Mary Lambert’s 1989 adaptation, which is kind of dated but still is a great horror movie. Even the arc of the film and its twist from the original that was supposed to bring sadness was nothing but humor.
The movie possesses a few Easter eggs for Stephen King fans who are familiar with his work and the universe which his stories take place in.
Maybe “Pet Sematary” is a good movie to a person who has never seen the stunning original, but it’s doubtful for those who have.
It’s strictly a waste of celluloid.
Do not go see this movie and save your data when it comes to streaming services.
