Paranormal Activity (R)

As it stands now – the 2013 Halloween season – there are four movies written and directed by Israeli/American filmmaker Oren Peli in the “Paranormal Activity” series. Rather than review each one on its own, I’ve decided to group them into one unified review since all four are virtually the same movie and concept, and all involve plot lines of the same group of characters told at various parts of their respective lives.

With the explosion of television shows like “Ghost Hunters” and “Destination Truth” (both courtesy of the sensationalized SyFy channel) the masses have turned to an obsession with ghosts, haunting, and the afterlife, and the rookie director himself came up for the idea after experiencing unexplained activity in his own home.

The “Paranormal Activity” series is unique in its presentation as its intent is not to be a fiction movie like most other horror films, but rather a “real life” glimpse of actual events captured and replayed via surveillance cameras, iPhones, camcorders, and laptops operated by the characters in the story.

Released in 2007, the original “Paranormal Activity” introduces us to a young couple; Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) as they move into a new house in a lavish San Diego suburb. Katie claims that since childhood, an evil presence has been stalking her, and she now believes it has followed her into the new home. To record any potential nighttime activity, Micah sets up a camcorder in the couple’s bedroom, which succeeds in proving that Katie’s fears are real.

“Paranormal Activity 2” – released in 2010 – is in essence a prequel to the first movie. This time the story follows Katie’s younger sister Kristi (Sprague Grayden), her husband Daniel (Brian Boland) and their daughter Ali. After a burglary in the house, Daniel installs security cameras throughout the home, which capture more ghostly happenings. Katie and Kristi further discuss the haunting they each experienced as children and more of the overall plot is revealed.

The third installment – released one year later – tells the story of the two sisters as children in 1988, revealed through tapes the girl’s mother Julie (Lauren Bittner) and her boyfriend Dennis (Chris Smith) created by use of Dennis’ camera and in-home recording studio. The latest film, released in October 2012, is revealed predominantly through a laptop webcam that a teenage girl (Kathryn Newton) employs to talk to her boyfriend Ben (Matt Shively) as the family takes in a creepy neighbor boy named Robbie after his mother is mysteriously hospitalized.

The found-footage genre burst onto the scene with 1999s “The Blair Witch Project” and has seen recent success with other horror movies like “Cloverfield” and “Quarantine.” Because of this attribute, the grainy film and lack of a soundtrack or score add to the overall anxiety. Slowly changing security cameras and single shot mounted recording devices render the viewer on edge as the tension and terror mount. As you watch, you’ll wonder exactly what goes on in your own home or bedroom when no one is around.

What’s great with “Paranormal Activity” is you never really see anything other than shadow play or doors opening and closing on their own. The movies contain little to no gore and prove that the darkness, and the unknown, can be far more terrifying than a knife wielding madman. As you watch the footage with the time and date stamp running in the corner, you sit and wait for the activity, knowing something is coming but you don’t know when. The movies are short and flow very quickly.

“Paranormal Activity” features a handful of highly talented and underrated actors and actresses. The task is daunting at best in a situation such as this where you’re not really acting; you are portraying real life people – with the beautiful Katie Featherston seemingly born for the lead role.

There was really no need for a fourth installment, other than to further propel the story and there is clearly no need at all for a fifth (though it is already being filmed and scheduled for release next Halloween season.) Great art tends to suffer at the callous hands of Hollywood greed, and the “Paranormal Activity” franchise is a work of cinematic art.

The fourth film weakens the overall grade, and since more are in the works, Peli should have quit while he was ahead. For a great addition to your Halloween collection, you can’t go wrong with any of the first 3 films. Do yourself a favor and watch them in order for a better viewing and understanding experience – and you may want to watch them with the lights on.

by – Matt Christopher