Story by Nicholas Barreras
Staff Writer
Rating: 4.5/5
One of the most talked about movies this year, Paranormal Activity 3 lived up to its hype.
Back in 2007, the original Paranormal Activity became an overnight success by bringing a low-budget approach to horror films that was rarely seen and rarely done right: the idea of less is more. The movie’s concept consisted of a couple videotaping the hauntings by a supernatural presence.
In 2010, a prequel to the original elevated the fear level.
Paranormal Activity 3 is a prequel to the prequel set in 1988 that reveals why this supernatural entity haunts two sisters, Katie and Kristi, and their family.
Tactics that terrified people in the previous films such as the slight movement of a door or the slight creak of a floorboard could not simply be the main form of fear anymore. Therefore, new techniques are introduced such as a camera being placed on a rotating fan to elevate the paranoia in viewers.
This film truly delivers suspense and fear throughout the entire time. Unlike its predecessors, this film starts its dread earlier. One can’t help but sit in his or her seat and fight the reaction of closing their eyes out of fear of being startled because the film uses a very smart method of stretching the scarier sequences. The rotating camera is a vital part in this tactic.
However, Paranormal does not abandon all uses of fear that were seen in the other films. One can still witness the clock in the bottom-right corner fast-forward as someone creepily hovers over another bed and can still hear events transpiring away from the camera’s point of view.
There are strong, believable performances given by the ensemble. They portray realistic and likable characters – probably the most likable characters have been in the franchise so far.
Paranormal Activity 3 delivers high-octane levels of fear and suspense, while continuing to develop the story and should be watched.
