I apologize again for how slapped together the last review was. This one should be much better. Which, believe it or not, it's about a much better movie. I remember seeing Paranormal Activity 2 originally and not thinking much of it, but I also hadn't seen the other in a while. Watching the first entry and this one back to back though, it's pretty obvious how big an improvement it is. Paranormal Activity 2 is actually pretty damn good.
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| This ghost is an asshole. |
Paranormal Activity 2 starts about sixty days before the first Paranormal Activity ends. We follow a whole new family's tribulations with unseen forces. This family though are relatives of Katie from the first movie, her sister Kristi, her husband and two kids. They've just moved into a new home and everything is looking great, that is until bizarre things start going on. Such as the family coming home to find their house entirely flipped upside down, but nothing missing. In response to the suspected break in, the family installs security cameras all over the house, which is how we the audience are privy to most of this sweet sweet found footage. So a few things you should know, every male character in this movie is a dismissive dick about the concerns of their family. Yes, I know it's a lot to ask of a person to believe in ghosts, but at the very least humor your loved ones and put them at ease as opposed to tell them they are morons. An even bigger asshole though is the ghost or demon or whatever you want to call it. First and foremost it is the most petty prankster. If there is shit to blow around or slam shut, this thing will do it at the best time to scare the fluids out of you.
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| See what I mean? Total asshole. |
The biggest thing they did right in this entire production is realize that the audience isn't a bunch of spastics, They have mostly seen the first installment and get what's happening. So you don't have to wait as long for creepy stuff and scares. You don't lose any tension, because you know things are going to get much worse and it's a prelude to it all. I can't rightly tell you why the entity takes it's time with the family and tip toes around scaring them all that, I mean, who can really understand the motive of something like that? But it sure makes for a good time to watch. You also get to learn more of why things are happening and what is going to happen. This actually has me a touch excited since I haven't seen the other installments in the series and I want to see where they go. Paranormal Activity 2 though takes a very dark turn and treads some fairly scary ground.
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| These people are either watching Paranormal Activity or the latest Seth McFarlane production. |
Now, I have no idea if this is true, but I took this away. The way the characters act after the break in reminds me of a family actually dealing with the anxiety and feeling of insecurity from something like that. They never really attribute the anxiety to that incident, but it's clearly there in their actions and lines. The actors and writers also seriously come within a hair of the footage and dialogue seeming totally for real and natural. The only thing holding it back is that it looks just a little too clean, if that makes sense.
Paranormal Activity 2 is a great sequel. A step above the first that builds on the material that came before. I'd even be willing to say it's one of the better horror movies of the 2000's. Get a few people together and I don't think you'll regret the evening spent with Paranormal Activity 2, just watch with all the lights off of course. I'll hopefully be back tomorrow with Paranormal Activity 3 and either pleasant surprise or crushing disappointment. I think I know which one too... but either way, don't be afraid to be a little scary.
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