Paranormal Activity 2 (2 stars)

   An improvement upon the first film, in terms of how it was filmed and with the use of more main characters (including a dog) instead of only two characters like the previous Paranormal Activity. With six planted security cameras in addition to handheld camera work when family members film each other, it makes for a more interesting voyeuristic experience. And that’s exactly what it feels like. The film genuinely gives the viewer a personal look into a household that is being taken over by a demon.

   The benefit of doing a film as if it were a reality/hidden camera/real life occurrence, is the bizarreness of all the going ons feel more authentic. I felt like the characters could be real people who actually exist. That being said, the scares took their sweet time to show themselves. This built intensity; however, with an anti-climatic ending, it was wasted. The most frightening scare was a supped up version of Katie (Katie Featherton) being dragged out of the bedroom. It was more intense this time around with Kristi (Sprague Grayden), but couldn’t they have been more creative? 

   The movie built and built and built and then sandwiched the first film into this film. I liked how closely they were related, but what I really wanted to see in a Paranormal Activity sequel is crazy demon possessed Katie (Katie Featherton) wreck havoc on the world and further the story that began with Paranormal Activity. Instead of moving forward, they moved backward. A story worth being told? Yes. A story that needed to be a bit longer? Yes again. 

   Demon Katie reappears at the end of this film and that’s it. I felt cheated. It was basically the same ending to the first film. Push someone into the camera and walk away. Thanks for some great backstory, now where’s the rest of the movie?! If they decide to make a Paranormal Activity 3, which they probably will, they need to further the story that they started. 

   It is a movie to see once. The unique way it is filmed is worth it alone. In addition, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat with the simplest scare tactics and many jump out of your seat moments. I had goosebumps throughout several parts of the movie. Bottom line, if you're looking to get scared without horrific scenes of people being hacked to pieces, then this is a good film to watch.


The Breakdown

Plot: 2 stars
Actors/Characters: 3 stars
Genre: 2 stars
Technical Aspects: 1 star