Stephen King had built quite a reputation writing books. It was not until he sold the rights to his books to be made into films that his reputation expanded to its full potential. For now the world of King has been brought to a far wider audience. Now more people are able to appreciate his talents, in a fraction of the time it takes to read a book. Pet Sematary is just one of the many films that has been cast from a Stephen King book. It is, however, one of the greatest.
Pet Sematary is a story of a man’s love for his family; a love that proves to be too strong for his own good. When he starts to interfere with the laws of nature, bringing the dead back to life, it’s not surprising that the situation takes a turn for the worse. But that is the ultimate message behind the book and hence the film. Mother nature is someone that you don’t want to be intervening with.
Possibly the best aspect of this film is the choice of lead actors. It’s not often that you find two great actors that not only work well on their own, but also form a unique chemistry when on the screen together. Dale Midkiff and Fred Gwynne have great talents and are shown to their full potential in this film. Not to be outdone, Denise Crosby pulls of a good supporting performance as Rachael Creed. But the Oscar has to go to Miko Hughes who played the young Gage Creed. He was such an adorable little kid it was hard not to like him. His overall innocence and distraction by his surroundings made it all the more enjoyable to watch. His sweet and innocent side was as compelling to watch as his dangerous and murderous side was – especially the scene where he is wearing the top hat, suit and holding a cane. It will send shivers down your spine.
The whole idea behind Pet Sematary is that of resurrection. An idea that, to my surprise, was pulled off incredibly well. There is always trouble when you make a film about dead things coming back to the world of the living, it could back fire. You may want them to appear as ghost, but make them look like ‘something’. You may want them to appear as zombies but make them look like ‘something’. You may even want them to be something completely different but still look as if they were once dead. Pet Sematary deals with this problem marvelously. When anything is brought back to life these things do appear to be normal living beings. But there is still that sense about them that they are not what they appear to be – a subtlety in both acting and directing that builds an eerie ambience. This idea would, unfortunately, soon be ruined in the sequel. Making them as cheesy zombie-type creatures with none of the class and restraint that Pet Sematary had.
The title – Pet Sematary – implies that this film would revolve around pets, and this is a little misleading. The idea of the resurrecting is due to the pet sematary and the forbidden Indian burial ground itself, but that is mainly where you draw the line. The Creed’s cat Church was brought back to life but this is the only animal. But the underlying factor that this film holds is the one for love and companionship. The pet sematary was an excuse for the bringing back of the dead; this appears to be the only true reason for it. In a way it is a stepping-stone.
What makes Pet Sematary appeal to the audience is the dark setting that is portrayed. The second half of the film is set in the dark, and subconsciously you begin to realize that this is fully intentional. It is not just being shot in the dark because the whole subject matter is death. It is being shot in the dark because it is a contrast. It is a contrast to the perfect world that was depicted in the first half of the film. One of a happy family, two kids and a cat. A friendly neighbour. A world that is all turned upside down by the deaths of family members; a world that is turned upside down by what at first seems to be love for his family, but turns into an obsession to regain the perfect world that is slipping out of his grasp fast.
‘#ccc’>OVERALL SUMMARY
This is one of the best films that I have seen adapted from a Stephen King book. It also ranks highly on my best films of all time list. From the gruesome effects, to the vivid and in some case morbid imagery, this film keeps the scares coming none stop. Pet Sematary is a must to watch and indeed a necessity to admire.
