Paranormal Activity

[Donut]

its was pretty stupid, I mean it

Spoiler

just became your normal slasher film

[BLACKOUT]There was not that much slashing for it to become a slasher movie if you ask me[/BLACKOUT]

 

[WompuM]

I was disappointed. I feel like like all they did was reshoot the first film, and what they did add was unnecessary. While I understand the handy cam style was a big part of the first one, it made no sense at times here. Sure, the security cams helped but at some points you have to ask, "Why the hell is the character filming this right now? Why is he using night vision on the camera instead of a damn flashlight?" And the cheesy little note from paramount at the beginning thanking the family of the deceased added nothing. Who are they kidding? This isn't the Blair Witch Project. This is a sequel to a 2006 movie. The handy cam format is so overused now it's infuriating. Using a tripod does not make the film less realistic. We don't need anymore Blair Witch knock off handy cam films (PA1, PA2, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Super 8, Cloverfield)

Spoiler

Anyway, you have it revealed that there's a Kennedy family/ Curly's Gold backstory which is completely unnecessary. Especially since it has never been shown or discussed that the sister's family is rich or famous or anything of the like. The one original idea form the story, the family passing on the demon to the sister, was barely shown or explored at all. This was a missed opportunity.

Of course, where did they learn how to pass the demon? Why the internet of course! It's annoying how since the information they find is on a website, it's automatically correct. And really? Another Quija board? This story is becoming more formatted than the Home Alone films. Also, it's funny how since the maid is Latina, she automatically knows how to expel demons.

The pacing did not work either. Why focus on a family the entire film just to have the bad guy at the end to be the sister who was in it for all of 30 seconds prior. I realize her story is explored in the first one, but if she is going to end up being the main antagonist, she should get more than 3 minutes at the end. I have no problems with it being both prequel and sequel, but balance it more. Look at Godfather 2. It would be as if the entire movie was Robert Deniro and Al Pacino's story was summed up in the last 3 minutes of that.

As for the neck snapping, it completely demystified the demon. You know what makes the demon a fun, original, bad guy. The fact that it can drag people away and leave creepy foot prints and be invisible and loud, etc. You know who can snap someone's neck? Anyone, including ninjas, vikings, and Batman (not that he would).

Finally, I am annoyed with how much from other films PA2 borrowed from. Whether its the demon ending up being Vigo the Carpathian or how the aliens from Close Encounters making the children's toys work on their own. Anyway, that's my two cents. Unnecessary sequel that takes away from the original.

 

[Matt]

Spoiler

I also did not care for the whole backstory of the demon. But I enjoyed the film and found it to be an improvement on the original.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I thought this was pretty damn scary. The kitchen cabinet scene almost made my heart explode. I thought you were safe at 1 in the afternoon

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

this is my favorite scary film mainly because slasher flicks dont scare me...demons do...and i like shaky cam films because i have a mindset before i watch um that "this is real"
makes it more entertaining!

 

[WompuM]

No, it's a cheap overused gimmick. It worked the first time in Blair Witch. Now it's just headache inducing. Does a shaky camera really make you feel like a story about an invisible demon or giant bug invading Manhattan more real? Would Jaws have been more real if Quint was a rogue filmmaker, Brody had a dashboard cam, and Hooper had an underwater cam? Think of all the creative, scary cinematography these films are missing.

 

[AndThePickles]

I thought this was pretty damn scary. The kitchen cabinet scene almost made my heart explode. I thought you were safe at 1 in the afternoon

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie

I'm so glad you were with me, or I'm pretty sure I woulda run out of the theater


I was terrified during this movie, and loved every second of being scared. My heart was RACING afterwards!!!

 

[BLACK-SPIDEY]

its was pretty stupid, I mean it

Spoiler

just became your normal slasher film

 

[Kane52630]

sorry dude, more I think about it the more I dislike it.
Dont get me wrong I enjoyed the hell out of the first one.

 

[The Jester]

No, it's a cheap overused gimmick. It worked the first time in Blair Witch. Now it's just headache inducing. Does a shaky camera really make you feel like a story about an invisible demon or giant bug invading Manhattan more real? Would Jaws have been more real if Quint was a rogue filmmaker, Brody had a dashboard cam, and Hooper had an underwater cam? Think of all the creative, scary cinematography these films are missing.

It's not cheap nor a gimmick. It's just a technique to show a certain perspective. If Paranormal Activity was shot in normal narrative, the tone of the movie would completely change and I believe it just wouldn't feel right to what the first one had established. They followed the formula that goes into all paranormal shows and thats reviewing 'raw' video footage and, for these movies, it works

 

[BLACK-SPIDEY]

I actually watched the first one after i saw the second one, and I think they are on par, though the scene in the basement was creepy. t:

 

[AndThePickles]

sorry dude, more I think about it the more I dislike it.
Dont get me wrong I enjoyed the hell out of the first one.

I think I enjoyed the plot of the first one more, but this one scared me more. I haven't read through this thread, but I think that a lot of why I'm able to thoroughly enjoy a lot of horror films is by not over-analyzing it. It was simple and effectively scary for me

 

[Colossal Spoons]

This ain't Steel Magnolias

 

[Kane52630]

I actually watched the first one after i saw the second one, and I think they are on par, though the scene in the basement was creepy. t:

watch REC, they did it way better than this.

I think I enjoyed the plot of the first one more, but this one scared me more. I haven't read through this thread, but I think that a lot of why I'm able to thoroughly enjoy a lot of horror films is by not over-analyzing it. It was simple and effectively scary for me

yeah I agree, however I thought the scares from PA2 was pretty cool more than scary.

 

[WompuM]

It's not cheap nor a gimmick. It's just a technique to show a certain perspective. If Paranormal Activity was shot in normal narrative, the tone of the movie would completely change and I believe it just wouldn't feel right to what the first one had established. They followed the formula that goes into all paranormal shows and thats reviewing 'raw' video footage and, for these movies, it works

I think the "raw" feel was unnecessary in the first one as well. They did it out of budget constraints, not creativity. And those quotes around raw were sarcastic air quotes btw. The handycam aspect ads nothing to the overall story except plot holes.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Where's the announcement of PA3 already? So I can roll my eyes at a REALLY unnecessary sequel, like even more so than this one.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Where's the announcement of PA3 already? So I can roll my eyes at a REALLY unnecessary sequel, like even more so than this one.

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

No, it's a cheap overused gimmick. It worked the first time in Blair Witch. Now it's just headache inducing. Does a shaky camera really make you feel like a story about an invisible demon or giant bug invading Manhattan more real? Would Jaws have been more real if Quint was a rogue filmmaker, Brody had a dashboard cam, and Hooper had an underwater cam? Think of all the creative, scary cinematography these films are missing.

dont correct me with your opinion. if thats the way you feel...congrats...feel free not to watch it. LOL
certain people actually like it...most of the people i talk to think its fun to have films like these with homeade-esque cameras to give a more realistic take on it...its not like there are millions of these shaky camera films popping out...so no need to get so worked up over this...just dont watch them...go watch nightmare on elm street the remake or something.
i saw this again...still 8.5/10

 

[BLACK-SPIDEY]

watch REC, they did it way better than this.



yeah I agree, however I thought the scares from PA2 was pretty cool more than scary.

Well when you bring REC in a discussion theres no doubt its the best horror film in years, and the sequel, that was just as creepy and the ending............awesome.

 

[The Jester]

I think the "raw" feel was unnecessary in the first one as well. They did it out of budget constraints, not creativity. And those quotes around raw were sarcastic air quotes btw. The handycam aspect ads nothing to the overall story except plot holes.

The whole raw feel was necessary because that is what the entire movie is based upon. It has nothing to do with budget constraints since the movie was envisioned in that style, a cheap and low budget look.

Ghost hunting and paranormal activity all revolve around trying to provide evidence to the existence of supernatural things through the use of camcorders, film and audio equipment, so it only makes sense that a movie called Paranormal Activity will be shot in the same way.

 

[LOBO3315a]

I think the hate for these 'shaky cam' movies are mainly from people who wish they had thought of the idea first.

 

[terry78]

I do like that we find out there is an actual justified reason why all that **** is happening to them though, even if they did bring it on themselves.

 

[WompuM]

dont correct me with your opinion. if thats the way you feel...congrats...feel free not to watch it. LOL
certain people actually like it...most of the people i talk to think its fun to have films like these with homeade-esque cameras to give a more realistic take on it...its not like there are millions of these shaky camera films popping out...so no need to get so worked up over this...just dont watch them...go watch nightmare on elm street the remake or something.
i saw this again...still 8.5/10

I think the hate for these 'shaky cam' movies are mainly from people who wish they had thought of the idea first.

I do like that we find out there is an actual justified reason why all that **** is happening to them though, even if they did bring it on themselves.

And I am suddenly and swiftly reminded why I don't bother arguing with people on the internet. So long then folks. Enjoy your crap film.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

u mad WomP?

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

And I am suddenly and swiftly reminded why I don't bother arguing with people on the internet. So long then folks. Enjoy your crap film.

Why would you want to argue anyway?
Everyone knows its stupid to force your opinion on other people...
You are just mad.