Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

Tagline: Mo’ demons, mo’ problems.

Curiosity: I closed the store tonight and have to open tomorrow. I needed to do something in between the two.

Plot: Part prequel, part sequel, Paranormal Activity 2 focuses on Kristi (Sprague Grayden), sister of Katie (Katie Featherston) from the original, and her family. Kristi and her husband Dan (Brian Boland) just had a boy, named Hunter. Dan in turn has a daughter from a previous marriage named Ali (Molly Ephraim). The film follows the same documentary style of the original, with the Dan installing a thorough video surveillance system after their home is burglarized (OR IS IT DEMONIZED?!).

Anyway, weird shit happens.

Thoughts: As far as unnecessary sequels go, Paranormal Activity 2 works. Depending on your perspective, it either advances the mythology of the original, or tacks on extra detail we don’t really need. I lean towards the latter, even though the film is generally solid. This sequel is stuck in a weird spot, because it has some great scenes and the acting one-ups the original, but in order to understand the ending, you need to have seen the first film. Which in turn means acknowledging that the movie recycles almost everything.

Paranormal Activity 2 boasts better special effects, but considering the original was essentially a home movie, that doesn’t say much. If anything, I want to know why this version cost $3 million, when writer/director Oren Peli made the original on like $15,000. And there are some great scares, even though most of them are of the “gotcha” variety. A “gotcha” scare is whenever something loud and unexpected happens. It takes advantage of a bodily reaction to noise. Our bodies flood with adrenaline with a start, preparing for a fight or flight scenario. You can’t exactly turn that off. While 2 thankfully spreads these moments out, it’s still a little cheap, especially since the movie fails to recreate the sparse atmosphere of the original.

Paranormal Activity gradually builds in intensity until shit gets real. 2 hits a wall and goes “Eh, fuck it. Let’s get this over with.” It’s a shame because the cast is better this time around. The original certainly had problems, like superfluous supporting roles and a bum ending as far as the wide release is concerned. But it still haunts. I don’t see myself watching 2 again.

Reflection: Also, it’s totally bullshit when they reference the Clash of the Titans remake. This movie is supposed to be set in 2006. CONTINUITY ERROR YOU GUYS.