Paranormal Activity. A film and story with great potential, but also a franchise that needs to fade away. The first film was good, not great, but good. It introduced something new, and refreshing into the horror genre. Not the way it was shot, but it was something that I couldn't really put my finger on either. But it definitely instilled terror into its audience. Personally, seeing someone dragged out of bed while they were sleeping, and into an attic, by something invisible, is pretty scary. Well, they road this franchise pretty hard; sucking every last cent they can get from people while doing it. Providing the same scares, same deaths, same general outcome to the story. Sure there were jump scenes, and scenes that make you say, "What the fuck?" But this thing has been revamped, rehashed, and retold, four separate times, even spanning across different time periods. And honestly, nothing has really changed. The last ten or fifteen minutes of each film is what moves the story along. Everything else is just pointless fluff that is meant to scare you, but does nothing to move the story along. I believe I read somewhere that they shot enough "scary" scenes to make two or three movies with. Really? Before I go any further let me introduce you to the actors. This film starred Katie Featherston, Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively, and Brady Allen. The full cast isn't being displayed for reasons that it might give away the story. The directors are Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, both of these guys worked on Paranormal Activity 3 and a documentary called Catfish together. What I don't understand is that do people in films not believe in turning on lights? Or maybe waking someone up to help you investigate the strange noises? Or better yet, NOT run towards the growl, noise, or boom that is terrifying and trying to kill you? Call me a wimp, at least I won't be folded in half by an invisible cult demon. Even for something as fictional as this, I just don't believe humans would behave this way. I also think I'm reading too much into it; what do I know. I went to this film seeking closure to this story. I didn't get it, and it raised more questions, and answered nothing. I basically paid twenty bucks to watch a fifteen year old girl get scared, and people to die quickly and violently. I left the theater unsatisfied and a bit annoyed. But story lines are becoming shallow; people now-a-days have short attention spans and require very little depth to keep them entertained. Oh God, and the product placement. "Hey, look at this cool thing the Kinect, for the XBox, can do!" as he sets his Pepsi can in front of the camera. Seriously!? Show me your other fucking sponsors. Have the fucking demon mom strip off some LOVE PINK clothing and show a little boob and we might have a movie. Product placement irritates the hell out of me. The acting was okay, same as the other three films. Story is the same, hasn't changed from the other three films. This franchise is becoming the next Saw...I can't remember where I heard that from. But it is true. I also have to look at the other side of this as well. Society has become so desensitized that nothing is really scary anymore. So if you have a formula that manages to frighten some people, and make you a little money while you are at it, then kudos. I can't recommend this film though. I give Paranormal Activity 4 a 1 1/2 out of 4. Stay after the credits; there is a little teaser. Number five will be out next Halloween...Shit. Go see Sinister instead.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 - He doesn't like you
Paranormal Activity. A film and story with great potential, but also a franchise that needs to fade away. The first film was good, not great, but good. It introduced something new, and refreshing into the horror genre. Not the way it was shot, but it was something that I couldn't really put my finger on either. But it definitely instilled terror into its audience. Personally, seeing someone dragged out of bed while they were sleeping, and into an attic, by something invisible, is pretty scary. Well, they road this franchise pretty hard; sucking every last cent they can get from people while doing it. Providing the same scares, same deaths, same general outcome to the story. Sure there were jump scenes, and scenes that make you say, "What the fuck?" But this thing has been revamped, rehashed, and retold, four separate times, even spanning across different time periods. And honestly, nothing has really changed. The last ten or fifteen minutes of each film is what moves the story along. Everything else is just pointless fluff that is meant to scare you, but does nothing to move the story along. I believe I read somewhere that they shot enough "scary" scenes to make two or three movies with. Really? Before I go any further let me introduce you to the actors. This film starred Katie Featherston, Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively, and Brady Allen. The full cast isn't being displayed for reasons that it might give away the story. The directors are Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, both of these guys worked on Paranormal Activity 3 and a documentary called Catfish together. What I don't understand is that do people in films not believe in turning on lights? Or maybe waking someone up to help you investigate the strange noises? Or better yet, NOT run towards the growl, noise, or boom that is terrifying and trying to kill you? Call me a wimp, at least I won't be folded in half by an invisible cult demon. Even for something as fictional as this, I just don't believe humans would behave this way. I also think I'm reading too much into it; what do I know. I went to this film seeking closure to this story. I didn't get it, and it raised more questions, and answered nothing. I basically paid twenty bucks to watch a fifteen year old girl get scared, and people to die quickly and violently. I left the theater unsatisfied and a bit annoyed. But story lines are becoming shallow; people now-a-days have short attention spans and require very little depth to keep them entertained. Oh God, and the product placement. "Hey, look at this cool thing the Kinect, for the XBox, can do!" as he sets his Pepsi can in front of the camera. Seriously!? Show me your other fucking sponsors. Have the fucking demon mom strip off some LOVE PINK clothing and show a little boob and we might have a movie. Product placement irritates the hell out of me. The acting was okay, same as the other three films. Story is the same, hasn't changed from the other three films. This franchise is becoming the next Saw...I can't remember where I heard that from. But it is true. I also have to look at the other side of this as well. Society has become so desensitized that nothing is really scary anymore. So if you have a formula that manages to frighten some people, and make you a little money while you are at it, then kudos. I can't recommend this film though. I give Paranormal Activity 4 a 1 1/2 out of 4. Stay after the credits; there is a little teaser. Number five will be out next Halloween...Shit. Go see Sinister instead.
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