Amityville 3-D

Amityville 3-D is a 1983 American supernatural horror movie that comes as the third installment in the Amityville series. Directed by Richard Fleischer and written by William Wales, the film is presented in 3-D in the prime of the early 1980s 3-D revival. The movie features Tony Roberts, Tess Harper, and Robert Joy in leading roles, along with a young Meg Ryan in a supporting role.

Tony Roberts portrays the character of John Baxter, a cynical and successful investigative journalist who is famous for debunking supernatural phenomena and exposing fraudulent psychic mediums. When John comes face to face with a scam involving a haunted house at 112 Ocean Avenue, famously known as the Amityville house, he diligently uncovers the hoax. However, his complete disbelief in the paranormal leads him to an unexpected decision. So convinced about the hoax at the Amityville house, he buys the property himself, intending to live in it and proving that all the horror stories surrounding the property are baseless.

Tess Harper plays the role of Nancy Baxter, John's supportive yet worried wife. She initially respects her husband's skepticism but soon finds herself experiencing manifestations that cannot be explained by logic or reason.

Robert Joy is cast as Elliot West, a true believer in the supernatural, who vehemently opposes John's views. Elliot serves as the film's voice of foreboding warnings, attempting to dissuade John from his fearless disregard for the potential supernatural forces lying in wait.

As the narrative unfolds, John's life takes a downward spiral once he moves into the house. Friends and family start experiencing bizarre occurrences: inexplicable temperature drops, malfunctioning electronic devices, mysterious deaths, and a series of other uncanny events. The most chilling happenings focus around John's daughter, played by Lori Loughlin, who seems to be targeted by the strange and deadly force inhabiting the house.

Meg Ryan, in one of her earliest roles, plays Lisa, a friend of John's daughter. Lisa is fascinated by the notorious history of the Amityville house and disregards the warnings from Elliot about the peril she might be getting into.

Amityville 3-D, as the title suggests, was one of the movies capitalizing on the then trend of 3-D effects. The film has numerous scenes designed explicitly for 3-D, from flying insects to demonic entities reaching out of the screen, intending to provide an immersive experience for audiences.

The 3-D effects of the film were used to heighten the suspense and the scare factor, thereby intensifying the eerie atmosphere of the haunted Amityville house. Richard Fleischer directs these elements skillfully, utilizing 3-D technology to amplify the narrative and cinematography to a creepy effect, resulting in a visually arresting horror flick that promotes both interest and dread in the viewers.

The film's strength lies in its ability to explore both sides of belief and skepticism about the supernatural world. It presents a fascinating dynamic between characters who fall on opposite ends of the spectrum, creating tension while justifying their worldviews.

Moreover, performances from the cast are commendable. Tony Roberts beautifully portrays the transformation from a hardened skeptic to a desperate father, haunted by the very phenomenon he ridiculed. Tess Harper, Robert Joy, and a young Meg Ryan provide stellar support, each contributing to the film's overall sense of impending doom and tension.

Amityville 3-D captures the essence of 80's horror and presents an intriguing and chilling portrayal of the supposedly real-life haunted house in Amityville. With its fear-inducing plot, atmospheric setting, 3-D effects, and accomplished performances, it will surely appeal to fans of horror and supernatural thrillers alike. The movie makes it very clear that no one, not even the sternest skeptics, are safe from the eerie forces lurking in the infamous Amityville house.