Paranormal Activity 2 - Movie review

Dir: Tod Williams Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat

Paranormal Activity 2 - Movie review

Paranormal Activity 2
A; horror
Dir: Tod Williams
Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
Rating: **1/2

What's it about: A prequel to the instant smash Paranormal Activity, the second part revolves around the sister of Katie who experiences the same crazy phenomenon as her on a varied degree. It's spooky and yes the camera is handheld as in the first. This time the focus is on creating the right ambience to raise a scare rather than showing the real thing. As the story progresses we get the link between the first and the second film, so be attentive and pay heed to details. There's also a baby and a dog who add a new twist to the drama.

What's hot: If you've watched the first you know what to expect. The buildup to the crazy activity is interesting enough to keep you engaged. Extra attention has been paid to showing the regular fun side of the family to establish the contrast later. Scenes of the baby in the crib and its reaction to what's happening in the house is intense. Also the characters are basic and real as in the first. The success of the film revolves around creating an ambience that's relateable to the viewer. Even though the scares come after long drawn gaps, they succeed in grasping your attention.

What's not: Its always been hard in this genre to make a good second film. Like the Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity too struggles to cash in on its successu00a0 formula. Monotony sets in early on in the film. After watching the first, we anticipate when the door will open or the shelves wil rattle. You can't be impatient with a film like this because it takes time to build the right tempo. When the plot starts unravelling and clues lead to certain characters and incidents in the first, it feels gimmicky. While the first had a solid story and reasoning, the second seems like a hollow attempt to follow suit. The climax is too rushed and a huge letdown.

What to do: If curiosity gets the best of you, then venture out to watch PA2, otherwise revisit the first for a good scare.