User Reviews

A new dimension in ultimate evil has been added to the story to what has probably become the world's most notorious haunted house in America.

A magazine writer's investigation into a séance turns to horror when an abandoned well beneath the basement floor turns out to be the gateway to hell.

This film starred: Tony Roberts, Tess Harper & Meg Ryan

In my opinion this wasn't one of best entries in the Amityville film series, not the worst but no where near the best. It had a bad plot about the gateway to hell being a well in the basement. 93 minutes wasted in my opinion, it had a couple of entertaining scenes but nothing special.

**/***** Poor.

***SPOILERS*** Hell literally freezes over in this third and final chapter of the infamous Amityville House by the river with the place being blown to bits taking an entire crew of ghost investigators, or busters, and ghost detectives along with it.

I wondered watching the movie unfold if it was the two investigative reporters for the skeptical Reveal Magazine John & Melanie, Tony Roberts & Candy Clark, trying to be too smart about their ability to expose psychic frauds that lead to the horrors that happened to them as well as everyone else in the movie. Doing their job in exposing psychic frauds both John & Melanie flush out the Caswells, John Beal & Leora Dana, in a phony and staged psychic reading that they gave them for their dead young son Ricky in, of all places, the Amityville Horror House.

Feeling good about himself in his job as a "Ghost Exposer" John really goes overboard by buying the dangerous and haunted house himself since no one wants to not only live in it but even live next to it. With John about to move into the haunted house strange things begin to happen. The real estate agent Clifford Sanders, John Harkins,who sold the house to John is found dead by John on the steps of the house from an apparent heart-attack.

Melanie who took a number of photos of John and Sanders finds that the photos of Sanders have a strange smug on them that when it's magnified the smug looks like a little devil. Things start to get out of hand with Melanie ending up dead in a car crash where she burned to a crisp and John's daughter Susan, Lori Loughlin, drowning in the river outside the house. To the surprise of her mom Nancy Baxter, Tess Harper, she's seen alive walking up the stairs to her room dripping wet with a weird smirk on her face.

John himself has a few close calls with death in an elevator in the building where he works and in his bathroom when he's confronted with live steam gushing out of the bathroom faucets and the walls in the bathroom closing in on him. With his co-worker , Melanie, roasted to death his daughter, Susan, drowned and his wife, Nancy, going insane John gives in and decides to have his house checked out by a "Ghost Buster" team lead by psychic expert and investigator Eillot West, Robert Joy, to find out and see if there's something to all this tragedy that struck John his family and friends. What the team finds out isn't pretty in that before their through checking out the Amityville House the Amityville House will be through with them.

Passable horror movie that does have it's moments and at least tries to make some sense to it's audience of what's happening on the screen with a very young Lori Loughlin and Meg Ryan as Susan Baxter and Susan's best friend Lisa who's also a armature medium and psychic in the film.

In the house where Sonny slaughtered the Montelli family, the reporter John Baxter (Tony Roberts) and the photographer Melanie (Candy Clark) disclose two charlatans, who cheated the persons pretending they were medium. The broker, who presently owns the house, is having difficulties to sell the mansion due to its fame, and John decides to buy the house by very low price. When he moves to the cursed place, many fatal tragedies happen with the broker, his daughter and his lover Melanie. This movie is very silly and boring. Its greatest attraction in the present day is to see Meg Ryan in the beginning of her career. The Brazilian DVD is a shame: it has a recent picture of Meg Ryan on the cover, and her name is highlighted as if she were the lead actress, showing a total lack of respect of the distributor with the viewers and consumers. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): `Amityville 3D'

Surprisingly, this second sequel to the supposedly fact based thriller "The Amityville Horror" is a worthy installment in the otherwise wretched series of shockers. Richard Fleischer, a Hollywood veteran whose directorial credits include such diverse fare as "The Vikings" and "The Boston Strangler," brings a skill to the proceedings that were conspicuously absent from the original film, which was more notable for the laughably bad performances of James Brolin and Rod Steiger than it was for inducing chills. The performances in "Amityville 3-D," or "Amityville: the Demon" as it is known on television, didn't deserve Oscar consideration, but they are professional and, in the case of Candy Clark's suspicious photographer, almost inspired.

The movie opens in typical haunted house fashion: a seance is being held in the notorious Long Island house where, in earlier films, toilets backed up (shudder!), marching bands played in the dead of night (shudder again!), and a giant red-eyed pig named Jody roamed the premises and engaged in small talk with children (Babe in an early role?). The seance produces mysterious apparitions and odd noises, all of which are exposed by two of the participants--a reporter and his photographer-- as a hoax. The realtor denies any involvement in the souped-up spookiness and explains to the reporter (Tony Roberts on holiday from Woody Allen's repertory company) that the house's infamous reputation is such that he's willing to sell it at a bargain rate. Roberts, newly divorced and eager for a peaceful environment in which to write his great American novel, buys it, all the while ignoring the warnings of his less courageous colleague, the delightful Miss Clark.

Roberts, a stubborn type who sneers at the supernatural, moves in and continues his sneering even as anyone who sets foot in the house experiences terror and, ultimately, death. But, dumbo that he is, he continues to pooh-pooh any notions that the house is cursed.

Some talented performers are on view in this film, and if not for their admirable abilities to keep a straight face, the movie would be a lot funnier than it's supposed to be and sometimes is. Roberts is his usual non-plussed self, refusing to accept any supernatural explanations for the bizarre circumstances taking place around him.

The special-effects are adequate, but they do the trick, and probably worked better in 3D, which is the way the film was presented theatrically. The process is evident in the use of so many scenes in which hands are extended toward the camera and, in one scene, a frisbee is tossed directly at the audience.

"Amityville 3D" will never take its place beside the greats of the horror genre, but neither will its two predecessors. However, unlike those failed shockers, number 3 succeeds on its own modest terms, providing, amid the occasional unintended chuckle, a few moments of genuine suspense and a thrill or two. It's a satisfying spook show on the same level as the William Castle flicks of the late 50s and early 60s ("The Tingler," "House on Haunted Hill," et al).

Magazine writer John Baxter (Tony Roberts) and his partner Melanie (Candy Clark) expose a fake psychic racket operating in the Amityville house. Being recently divorced and needing a new house, John decides to buy the place. He gets a good deal in exchange for keeping the real estate agent, who knew about fake psychics, out of the story. John is a disbeliever and skeptic of supernatural phenomenon so he's not worried about the house's history. Once he moves in, of course, strange things start happening.

Amityville 3-D has a bad reputation and most of it is deserved. The plot is tiresome and the scares are often laughable. Still, I can't help but enjoy it on some guilty pleasure level. Tony Roberts is a stiff lead. He reminds me of a less charismatic Ron Perlman. Yet there's something fascinating about watching this guy work. Maybe it's the hair. Or maybe it's that he clearly believes he is above the material. Lori Loughlin makes her film debut as his daughter. She doesn't get a lot to do but she's good enough so that you wouldn't automatically assume this was her first movie. Meg Ryan (!) plays her friend in one of Meg's early film roles. I was a little worried after Amityville II that we'd get some inappropriate sexual action between Tony Roberts and Meg Ryan or, worse yet, Roberts and Lori Loughlin. But thankfully nobody has sex with Tony Roberts. The often awful Candy Clark rounds out the main cast. She's up to her usual scenery chewing so everybody grab a seat. The best performances would come from Tess Harper as the ex-wife and Robert Joy as a paranormal investigator.

Perhaps the most amusing change to the Amityville series here comes from the fact the "ghosts" can attack someone even if they are miles away from the house. It's silly but allows for some enjoyable shock scenes. Look, this isn't a great movie. It isn't even a good one, really. But it still entertains in a so-bad-it's-good way. If you're looking for something like that, awesome! Here you go. But if you want something you can seriously be scared by, look elsewhere.

There must have been a law in the 1980's that stated that if you are to make a third film to a set of horror movies you must make them in 3-d as this was one of them, along with other such fine films as Jaws 3-D and Friday the 13th part III in 3-D. Sad to say, but I enjoyed all these movies even though I know in my heart of heart they were all bad movies. However, just because a movie is bad does not make it non-entertaining. Well at least to me it does not...perhaps to a more mainstream viewer, I admit I am a little more offbeat than most people to say the least. This story has a guy moving into the Amityville house for whatever reasons after he proves this one little group of people are fake psychics. Through a series of events though he begins to find out just how real the horrors are in the house that has had cast evil upon all those who lived there. I have to say the movie is not as graphic as the second movie, but it has a lot more to it than the first movie in the ways of scares and such and it has a nice conclusion too. Still the movie has to many 3-D moments too to be a really good movie. You know the scenes, pointless scenes where they aim something directly at the camera and such. Still, the movie runs at a fast clip and is entertaining to watch, plus you get to see a young Meg Ryan in one of her first roles.

Probably the best movie of the series, I think. Okay, that's not saying much, but it's actually quite enjoyable. And probably the strongest, plot wise.

A magazine writer who happens to debunk psychics ends up buying the infamous house for cheap, blackmailing the current owner (a realtor, who is worried about his reputation, he had leased the house to two fake pyschics). And wackiness ensues. But it's not over the top at first, more general creepiness. There's nothing really special effect wise until the end, at which it does get a bit silly, but it's quite a finish.

It was originally in 3-D, and so you see a lot of shots that were intended to capitalize on this - frisbees thrown at the camera, flying swordfish, etc.

Also notable about this movie, it's the source for a quote frequently sampled by My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult.

Yikes! I liked this movie the first few times I saw it,but the more often I see it,I get a little more bolder,a little more wiser and a little more sensible. Premise: Magazine editor moves into reputedly haunted house to prove it is not haunted as everyone dies and wigs out around him.This great idea, however, goes awry as the scripts throws in every sort of haunted house cliche in the world. One nice observation:I fell in love with the bad girl Lisa from this movie not knowing she would turn out to be the famous Meg Ryan years later.Her scene describing the Amityville mythos to Lori Loughlin is a small indication to the talent and repertoire she shows today. This movie does seem to generalize the actions of Dr. Stephen Kaplan, the prominent parapsychologist who went around debunking and citing hoax to the true original Amityville story. Tony Roberts' character almost mirrors the late Dr. Kaplan in common sense and logic. That should have been more what this movie should have been about,but instead it just fizzles out and dies. There is no psychological suspense as shown in the first movie,or any stream of style. The movie's just one long cliche and not worth the effort unless you're like me and just are a fan of the genre.

This is not like the horror movies that were coming out around the time this was released. Everyone says how bad it is, but if this were made in the sixties, it would be one of the greatest horror movies of all time. It has awful special effects, but it contains ideas, like most good movies should. I suggest you rent, or even buy it if you stumble across a copy.

Such a gem to find her and young Lori Loughling in a scary movie. Even if the movie isn't remotely scary! On a scare level the movie gets a 1.5 out of 10! On a level of star studded cast and bearable movie to watch..... 5 out of 10. Meg Ryan truly was a cutie pie!!!!!

Okay - Amityville 3-D will not go down as one of the scariest films of all time. Not even one of the best. However, if you use your imagination and complete the 3-D effects in the film, it is a very fun time. Imagine the pipe shattering the car window coming through your TV screen. The spit of the old woman flying out at you. The boom mike ready to take your next words and amplify them through the house. Watch it again, and pay special attention to when the 3-D effects appear - and have fun with them. Also, a special acting nod goes to the branch at the beginning - scratching the camera screen, even when there's not a tree around. Now, that's acting!

Of all the movies in this series (currently 8), this is one of the three best. It is at least an average and a very watchable film (unlike some of the movies in the series which have parts that are like pulling teeth). While the effects aren't great on tape (ie no 3D and not a bunch of other stuff), the movie at least has an interesting story (including a paranomal investigator (who is just plain stupid;ok so he has to confront the demon, but does he have to do this by being sucked down the well?). It also has Meg Ryan (in a role that is not totally explained (a family friend I guess). And best of all it adds closure to the series. If The Amityville Horror, II:The Possesion, and 3D were the entire series, then it wouldn't be all bad (especially if the ending to II was edited out). Of course (the demon/well has to send a fly out to spread the evil (and thus continue the series). Maybe they should re-release the 3D version.

Richard Fleischer never directed a truly bad movie. He always stretches for originality and his films are so different one from the other. I think this one is highly underrated. If you watch it with an open mind and do not expect it all to make perfect sense you may be surprised about how much you can enjoy it. The 3 D approach gives us some very interesting perspective shots. The dialogues are well written and develop some intriguing ideas. There are echoes of Hitchcock in human/animals interaction. Also some of the scenes could have inspired the Final Destination franchise. There are some very skeptical characters, and that gives the film more credibility. As a curiosity factor, we have a very young Meg Ryan in a funny role. However, I must say: the ending is a little over the top, too absurd for it's own sake. It is like the movie suddenly becomes a total guilty pleasure. But, hey, that is not a bad thing if you enjoy campy, goofy fun. Simply adjust your mind frame for a sudden change of mood and go along for the ride. I have been postponing to watch this one because of the bad ratings and reviews here on Imdb, but today I thought of giving it a chance because I love the director's filmography. I could not be more pleased to acknowledge that Richard Fleischer has not disappointed me yet. Ignore the ratings, take the risk and judge for yourself. This a decent haunted house story with interesting ideas and creative concepts. It tried to do something different and that is always commendable.

Amityville 3D is not a complete bust in any sense of the imagination. Of course, watching on you 'telly' the 3D stuff is diminished but,even so, the real redeeming quality of this flick is that we get to see a young Meg Ryan and Lori Loughlin before fame and television sitcom taints them. It is refreshing to watch them in this pristine early stage.

There is one scene in which they are in the evil house with some teenage boys. The group gathers on the floor around a set of cards formed in a Quija sort of configuration. But, at the same time, there was a spin the bottle effect. The scene is alluring and in the midst of the tension, a mix of sexual and fear, a bit of Ryan's acting charm shines. Don't miss this because it is tucked away in a slow moving 3D movie, which ain't really all that bad.

Candy Clark of American Pie fame is in the movie as well and does a good job as a nonbeliever who finally comes around to see the darkside.

Another plus of this movie is there wasn't a lot of blood and guts. Perhaps this is why it is receiving the low ratings. Gore doesn't make a horror movie.

Finally, this was a 3D film and the payoff in the end is good. There is even a Hitchcockian moment at the end with one 3D effect that gave me a bit of a thrill and then a chuckle after.

The movie is far from a bust. Watch it and remember the context in which it was shot. Look for the gems. I believe they exist in every work of art, movies, books, paintings, etc.