{"id":365,"date":"2010-10-22T17:16:01","date_gmt":"2010-10-22T17:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/?p=365"},"modified":"2010-10-22T17:16:36","modified_gmt":"2010-10-22T17:16:36","slug":"paranormal-activity-2-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/horror\/paranormal-activity-2-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Paranormal Activity 2 – 4*"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Remember that feeling of not knowing what you were in for with the first film, and the subsequent dread that stopped you getting a good night\u2019s sleep after watching? Don\u2019t believe anybody who said they weren\u2019t affected by Paranormal Activity<\/em><\/a>; they\u2019re telling porkies. The second film works on the same premise as the first; that CCTV doesn\u2019t lie, only we now know what the deal is, so it\u2019s more a case of waiting for things to kick off and get hell-raisingly freaky.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Paranormal Activity 2<\/em><\/a> will win\/fail for fans of the first \u2013 the waiting. Initial reaction from some is that it takes too long to bring to boiling point, with the first terrifying bang happening a good 20 minutes plus into the film. But you could look at it from this perspective; the film-makers are goading you (as you are familiar with the territory), keeping you hanging on, until they decide when. Indeed, it\u2019s still a highly effective, edge-of-seat experience, helped by the combination of hand-held camerawork and CCTV, which gives it a realistic quality and instant believability. To be honest, the waiting is not too much of an issue, but it\u2019s the fact that some of these \u2018emptier\u2019 scenes could have been put to better use, like in the first film \u2013 or trimmed.<\/p>\n

This time it\u2019s a family\u2019s turn to feel the demon\u2019s wrath that includes a loved-up couple with a newborn son and a teenage daughter who all live with their Spanish nanny and dog. They have the seemingly idyllic, affluent lifestyle in the sun (somewhere in America), as we are proudly taken around their comfortable home in the first few scenes, whilst they introduce their newest family member, Hunter, to their abode on camera. All\u2019s well so far\u2026<\/p>\n

Enter \u2018Aunt Katie\u2019, played by original cast member, the buxom Katie Featherston<\/a> who turned into a demonic maniac in the first, dispensing with her boyfriend Micah (Micah Sloat<\/a>) like a rag doll. This is the moment that you realise the connection, and want to scream, \u2018NO! Get her out!\u2019 at the unsuspecting household, the mother of which turns out to be Katie\u2019s baby sister. We are also presented with the message that this \u2018footage\u2019 is recorded 60 days before Micah\u2019s death, so it\u2019s like a prequel to the first film, and it implies that one of the girls is the originator of all these paranormal episodes.<\/p>\n

Version 2 actually pays homage to legendary horror, like Amityville Horror<\/a><\/em> (spooky basement that bangs and scratches), The Exorcist<\/em><\/a> (possessed family member) and Poltergeist<\/em><\/a> (creepy TV and radio static), complete with a scene that makes you want to repeat blonde little angel Carol\u2019s infamous words, \u201cThey\u2019re here\u2026\u201d There\u2019s even a reference to The Omen<\/em><\/a>, with baby Hunter like an emotionless mini Damien-in-the-making, at times, letting off deranged-sounding giggles. It also has the standard horror \u2018what-not-to-do\u2019 moments, such as opening a door, alone, after loud thumps have just echoed off it, and playing that fun family pastime, the Ouija Board, when the oldies are out. It also has some silly aspects to it, and boldly points to a possible third film, too.<\/p>\n

In short, and not wanting to reveal too much more, fans of the first should go and see Paranormal Activity 2<\/em><\/a> as it ties in neatly with the first, whilst still offering bang, scream and growl for your buck. Admittedly, it doesn\u2019t have quite the freshness of the latter, but this is hardly surprising. However, the franchise does have a lot of mileage still, and it may well give some a sleepless night \u2013 if nothing else, it\u2019ll have you clutching a crucifix under the duvet in anticipation.<\/p>\n

4\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

By L G-K<\/p>\n

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Remember that feeling of not knowing what you were in for with the first film, and the subsequent dread that stopped you getting a good night\u2019s sleep after watching? Don\u2019t believe anybody who said they weren\u2019t affected by Paranormal Activity; they\u2019re telling porkies. The second film works on the same premise as the first; that … <\/p>\n

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