Paranormal Activity 2 - Phil's Five Words for Films

Paranormal Activity 2 A prequel-sequel, PA2 concerns the events immediately before those of the first film (reviewed here) and centers on members of the same family. Cleverly tied in to the storyline of the first film, PA2 uses more CCTV footage to capture the events that unfold and relies less on handheld, home movie style. The long, repeating shots of nothing happening are there to draw you deeper in to the film, pull you closer to the action, allowing the loud bangs and crashes to do their job. Again, it is the balance between menace and anticipation that gives the film its feel. There are some good scares to be had here and at times it is nicely creepy but, on the whole, there seems to be slightly less threat than before. The challenge was to add to the success of the first film and connect the two in a way that didn't feel contrived whilst delivering some spine tingling moments - they succeed. With clever use of plot, sound, dogs and babies, PA2 is a great pre-follow-up. Definitely a must see for anyone who has seen ( and enjoyed ) PA1.

7.5 out of 10
Cert 15 (uk )
2010.

Paranormal Activity - Phil's Five Words For Film -

Paranormal Activity. This is not a 'Horror' film, it is more of a 'Terror' film. The plot is this: A young woman is hearing and seeing things in her own home at night. Her sceptical boyfriend gladly sets up a camera to capture any night-time activity. To begin with, the events are nothing more than twitching bedsheets and some sleep-walking but it soon gets much worse. The tension gradually builds with the clever use of off-camera noises and long, oppressive stretches of silence, when you are straining your eyes and ears waiting for the inevitable scare. It is refreshing to see a film that doesn't come with a 12 piece orchestra in the background gently announcing the next moment of terror. Filmed on an amazingly low budget, the clever use of hand-held cameras and night vision effects - a bit 'Blair Witch' but without the motion sickness - increases the claustrophobic nature of the footage. The increasing ferocity of the 'hauntings' is cleverly controlled and the atmospheric tension in places is really effective. The terror is mostly suggested / off camera until the climax of the film when it becomes very real. I was a touch disappointed with the ending but it in no way detracted from the rest of the film. Home movie-type acting and script added to the general feel of this film which should be a case study in how to successfully generate on-screen tension. Creepy.

8 out of 10
Cert 15 (uk) 2009.