A very mixed bag of ideas that mostly do not work.

The last act is a mere collection of chases and spooky encounters and nightmarish near-death scenarios, a few of which are intriguing, but do little to expand upon Carol Anne's plight.

The picture devolves into a standard light and magic show.

"From a practical effects [perspective] ... there's a lot of really cool camera trickery...and then you have the movie. I was just left with so many questions."