The Blair Witch Project has a lot to answer for. A huge success in 1999 it ushered in a new era of cheaply made horror. Filmed entirely on video with actors screaming in front of the camera with minimal emotion it became an unlikely hit. The Paranormal Activity franchise has taken its cue to the ultimate degree with various spooky happenings occurring on a shoe-string budget. Its third entry is no different as it uses every piece of creaking door and moving objects to supposedly terrifying effect.
Katie (Katie Featherston) and Kristi (Sprague Grayden) are two young sisters living with their mother Julie (Lauren Bittner) and her boyfriend Daniel (Brian Boland). The family seem to enjoy life when suddenly events take a sinister turn. Hearing strange noises and witnessing odd occurrences, Daniel takes it upon himself to capture everything on film. What he sees fills him with dread as events escalate to a deadly and shocking denouncement.
Paranormal Activity 3 adheres to exactly the same formula as the others. Since it has made tons of money from doing so you can’t really blame the producers for continuing. It would have been great had it actually been scary – a prerequisite for any alleged horror movie. Whilst it has its moments this third entry refuses to try anything new with the endless ‘bump in the night’ motif becoming tiresome.
The only aspect of interest is the character’s back-story. Expanding on previous instalments it answers some questions raised. Unfortunately even more are posed with logic taking a holiday. Certain character motivations make little sense with the story ultimately relying on their reactions to events rather than developing their personas.
Those wanting no-frills thrills may receive something out of Paranormal Activity 3. Others who recall the halcyon days of horror such as the Nightmare on Elm Street films may wonder why the genre has fallen so far as to rely on such insipid and uninspiring entries such as this.
Movie Review Rating 2 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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