The plural would be "Paranormal Activities," right?
I thought the original Paranormal Activity was an A- movie. The follow-up is a B+. There is a bit of the formula from the first one plugged into the second-little scares that might be nothing, bigger scares that are probably something, shit gets real-but that's pretty much every scary movie and PA2 does enough effective stuff to be enjoyable*.
One thing PA2 lacks that the original had an abundance of is a growing sense of dread. Within about 15 minutes of PA1, I knew that the main characters were doomed. I spent the rest of the movie hoping desperately for a reprieve for at least Katie (Micah had it coming) or that the end would come quick to break the suspense. I got to that point in PA2, but not until about three-quarters into the movie and that was only after something big happened. That is not to say that the beginning was boring or wasted. It did a great job establishing the characters, what was happening to them, and why we should care about them. Still, after the terrible dread machine that was PA1 the follow-up felt lacking. The difference might be that PA1 was a movie about being scared of the normal things in a house (boards creaking, winds whistling, etc.) while 2 is more conventional horror scares (thanks, TV Tropes! Spoilers to both movies in the link.). Maybe that's what Ebert meant by "'Gotcha' moments" (spoilers in that link as well. He should know better.). I think he's a bit too harsh on the film-did he forgot that this is a sequel and it's assumed that you saw 1?-, but that's like his opinion**.
Before I launch into spoilers minor and large, let me say that if you want to go into this movie spoiler-free avoid the damn trailers. For one thing, like the trailer for the first one, PA2's has a bunch of scenes that didn't make it into the final product. Also like its predecessor, PA2's trailer has a bunch of spoilers sprinkled throughout it including the ending of the movie and what happens during one of the scariest scenes. The PA films are very hard to trailer, I admit, as so much of them is just watching people sleep as weird stuff happens around them. Still, giving away the big scares is just wrongheaded.
SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT
Still here? Okay, here we go.
I've consciously avoided calling PA2 a sequel to 1. It is a sequel. It is also a prequel and an interquel at the same time. The events of 90% of PA2 take place before PA1 and basically trigger the first movie. The antipenultimate and penultimate*** scenes take place during PA1; the latter scene is actually the first scene of the original re-shown while the former explains why the people in the second film-the woman in the first film's (Katie's) sister and in-laws- aren't mentioned in the first one. The final scene takes place one day after the final scene of PA1. This is all fairly well handled, with a minimum of awkwardness**** though some things go clunk like Micah admiring the handheld camera his would-be brother in-law owns and the on-screen note telling viewers that Micah was killed right before the final scene. It's mostly effective. When Katie pops up early in the film and says, looking slightly odd, that "Micah isn't up to coming out" there was a buzz of excitement in the most of audience. The timing hadn't been established yet, so it was possible that we were looking at a fully demon-possessed Katie ready to reek some havoc. When Micah came in later a few scenes later and a timecard spelled out that, yes, this is happening before the first movie, a lot of people said "Ohhh" out loud.
Throughout the movie, Abby, the family dog, is wise to the growing evil and eventually is injured attempting to fight it. Later scenes say that the dog is at the vet, but they never say if she survives. All of the other characters (excluding the guys who install the camera system)get a fate. Their fates suck, but we get resolution. What happened to the dog?
The final kill was a bit hokey. Throwing Micah at the camera in PA1 was justice, the demon's final screw you to him ("You like making films? Here's your fucking money shot, asshole!"). Smacking Kristi into the camera, while not done as purposefully as flinging Micah-demon'd Katie just strong-armed her not aiming at it-was just a cheap scare. She could have just as easily flung Kristi into a wall or through the mirrored closet door. Or stabbed her. There was a butcher knife laying out in the kitchen for several scenes. I expected it to get some use. Maybe that was a callback to the knife not being used (at least in the wide release ending) for the death in PA1.
There's a set-up for a final film as demon'd Katie and stolen Hunter are roaming around. I really hope they don't go for it. I mean, I said the same thing at the end of the first one, but I really don't see another story coming out of this, at least not with the "home movie gone horribly wrong" theme. Are there really than many people out there filming their homes 24/7 or with a quality camera around at all times and the mindset to film scary stuff rather than running as fast as their legs can take them in the opposite direction? The only option I see is either a real sequel with Ali (the only survivor who came home to see the final scene of Hamlet), the wise housekeeper Martine (Ebert's right here. She is a bit of a stereotype.), and a recovered Abby becoming aurorsdemon hunters (Paranormal Activity 3: Hunting Hunter) or a prequel examining the original deal that led to the demon following Katie and Kristi's family. Both of those options suck. Do you hear me, Hollywood? SUCK.
I'm glad that Dan, the guy in this one, wasn't a complete ass like Micah. He's set up as the anti-Micah from the beginning, much older and more skeptical. Both men's faults exacerbate the situation-Micah egging the demon on, Dan ignoring it and letting it grow more powerful-but as least when Dan sees clear evidence of shit getting real his first action (after crapping himself) is to seek help.
Forcing the demon to move onto Katie was both a dick move and shortsighted, don't get me wrong, but it made a little sense. Katie didn't have a child to get taken. That said, dumbass, she and it know where you live! You don't think it can walk a few blocks over?
Don't pay for the IMAX. Why would you in the first place? The PA movies are about watching home movies. Why do I want to see a home movie in IMAX? This isn't Batman; it's cousin Tommy's first step. The only scene I would have preferred to see in IMAX is the pool scene in which Katie wears a bikini. My God, they could be bigger? WHAT HATH SCIENCE WROUGHT?
Since I've broached the topic, I think the casting director was possessed by demon Russ Meyer. Just sayin'.
Not spoilery, but I didn't know where else to put it. The audience is a big part of a movie like the Paranormal Activity. My audience for The Blair Witch Project sucked. It was my friend and I and four kids who were definitely younger than the PG-13 age limit who had no adult in sight. They were loud and obnoxious throughout the entire show. Maybe they were trying to prove that they weren't scared of the movie. Maybe they were just bored, but didn't want to wait in the lobby until their parents came to pick them up. Maybe they were just assholes. I loved Blair Witch, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more with an audience that was into the movie.
My audience for PA1 was amazing. When things were happening we shrieked and gasped, then laughed at each other to relieve some of the tension. Everyone was really into it. There were some shouting at the screen, but at the "right time." The audience last night wasn't as bad as the brats at Blair Witch, but no where near as good as the one for PA1. Everyone was into the movie, but there were this one corner of the theater that WOULD NOT SHUT UP. Long after a scare they would be like "DID YOU SEE THAT? I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF THERE!" at the top of their lungs. That shit is annoying sitting on the couch at home watching a DVD, let alone in a 300 people theater. Someone else was annoyed by it as well. He kept saying "Be quiet. I swear to God. Shut up." Good for him. I heard, but didn't see what sounded like the beginning of a fight at the end of the movie. Not cool, but I can't be too mad at him.
*Nothing wrong with a formula. Phineas and Ferb is one of the most formulaic shows out there and it is amazing because of how they fill the formula with crazy plots and jokes, then play with it.
I haven't seen that show since we moved and dropped cable 7 months ago. I really need to Netflix it.
**There's something else I need to Netflix.
***Love those words!
****"Minimum of Awkwardness" sounds like a title of a James Bond parody. Definitely not the title of the chapter of my biography concerning...well, anything.
One thing PA2 lacks that the original had an abundance of is a growing sense of dread. Within about 15 minutes of PA1, I knew that the main characters were doomed. I spent the rest of the movie hoping desperately for a reprieve for at least Katie (Micah had it coming) or that the end would come quick to break the suspense. I got to that point in PA2, but not until about three-quarters into the movie and that was only after something big happened. That is not to say that the beginning was boring or wasted. It did a great job establishing the characters, what was happening to them, and why we should care about them. Still, after the terrible dread machine that was PA1 the follow-up felt lacking. The difference might be that PA1 was a movie about being scared of the normal things in a house (boards creaking, winds whistling, etc.) while 2 is more conventional horror scares (thanks, TV Tropes! Spoilers to both movies in the link.). Maybe that's what Ebert meant by "'Gotcha' moments" (spoilers in that link as well. He should know better.). I think he's a bit too harsh on the film-did he forgot that this is a sequel and it's assumed that you saw 1?-, but that's like his opinion**.
Before I launch into spoilers minor and large, let me say that if you want to go into this movie spoiler-free avoid the damn trailers. For one thing, like the trailer for the first one, PA2's has a bunch of scenes that didn't make it into the final product. Also like its predecessor, PA2's trailer has a bunch of spoilers sprinkled throughout it including the ending of the movie and what happens during one of the scariest scenes. The PA films are very hard to trailer, I admit, as so much of them is just watching people sleep as weird stuff happens around them. Still, giving away the big scares is just wrongheaded.
SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT
Still here? Okay, here we go.
I've consciously avoided calling PA2 a sequel to 1. It is a sequel. It is also a prequel and an interquel at the same time. The events of 90% of PA2 take place before PA1 and basically trigger the first movie. The antipenultimate and penultimate*** scenes take place during PA1; the latter scene is actually the first scene of the original re-shown while the former explains why the people in the second film-the woman in the first film's (Katie's) sister and in-laws- aren't mentioned in the first one. The final scene takes place one day after the final scene of PA1. This is all fairly well handled, with a minimum of awkwardness**** though some things go clunk like Micah admiring the handheld camera his would-be brother in-law owns and the on-screen note telling viewers that Micah was killed right before the final scene. It's mostly effective. When Katie pops up early in the film and says, looking slightly odd, that "Micah isn't up to coming out" there was a buzz of excitement in the most of audience. The timing hadn't been established yet, so it was possible that we were looking at a fully demon-possessed Katie ready to reek some havoc. When Micah came in later a few scenes later and a timecard spelled out that, yes, this is happening before the first movie, a lot of people said "Ohhh" out loud.
Throughout the movie, Abby, the family dog, is wise to the growing evil and eventually is injured attempting to fight it. Later scenes say that the dog is at the vet, but they never say if she survives. All of the other characters (excluding the guys who install the camera system)get a fate. Their fates suck, but we get resolution. What happened to the dog?
The final kill was a bit hokey. Throwing Micah at the camera in PA1 was justice, the demon's final screw you to him ("You like making films? Here's your fucking money shot, asshole!"). Smacking Kristi into the camera, while not done as purposefully as flinging Micah-demon'd Katie just strong-armed her not aiming at it-was just a cheap scare. She could have just as easily flung Kristi into a wall or through the mirrored closet door. Or stabbed her. There was a butcher knife laying out in the kitchen for several scenes. I expected it to get some use. Maybe that was a callback to the knife not being used (at least in the wide release ending) for the death in PA1.
There's a set-up for a final film as demon'd Katie and stolen Hunter are roaming around. I really hope they don't go for it. I mean, I said the same thing at the end of the first one, but I really don't see another story coming out of this, at least not with the "home movie gone horribly wrong" theme. Are there really than many people out there filming their homes 24/7 or with a quality camera around at all times and the mindset to film scary stuff rather than running as fast as their legs can take them in the opposite direction? The only option I see is either a real sequel with Ali (the only survivor who came home to see the final scene of Hamlet), the wise housekeeper Martine (Ebert's right here. She is a bit of a stereotype.), and a recovered Abby becoming aurorsdemon hunters (Paranormal Activity 3: Hunting Hunter) or a prequel examining the original deal that led to the demon following Katie and Kristi's family. Both of those options suck. Do you hear me, Hollywood? SUCK.
I'm glad that Dan, the guy in this one, wasn't a complete ass like Micah. He's set up as the anti-Micah from the beginning, much older and more skeptical. Both men's faults exacerbate the situation-Micah egging the demon on, Dan ignoring it and letting it grow more powerful-but as least when Dan sees clear evidence of shit getting real his first action (after crapping himself) is to seek help.
Forcing the demon to move onto Katie was both a dick move and shortsighted, don't get me wrong, but it made a little sense. Katie didn't have a child to get taken. That said, dumbass, she and it know where you live! You don't think it can walk a few blocks over?
Don't pay for the IMAX. Why would you in the first place? The PA movies are about watching home movies. Why do I want to see a home movie in IMAX? This isn't Batman; it's cousin Tommy's first step. The only scene I would have preferred to see in IMAX is the pool scene in which Katie wears a bikini. My God, they could be bigger? WHAT HATH SCIENCE WROUGHT?
Since I've broached the topic, I think the casting director was possessed by demon Russ Meyer. Just sayin'.
Not spoilery, but I didn't know where else to put it. The audience is a big part of a movie like the Paranormal Activity. My audience for The Blair Witch Project sucked. It was my friend and I and four kids who were definitely younger than the PG-13 age limit who had no adult in sight. They were loud and obnoxious throughout the entire show. Maybe they were trying to prove that they weren't scared of the movie. Maybe they were just bored, but didn't want to wait in the lobby until their parents came to pick them up. Maybe they were just assholes. I loved Blair Witch, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more with an audience that was into the movie.
My audience for PA1 was amazing. When things were happening we shrieked and gasped, then laughed at each other to relieve some of the tension. Everyone was really into it. There were some shouting at the screen, but at the "right time." The audience last night wasn't as bad as the brats at Blair Witch, but no where near as good as the one for PA1. Everyone was into the movie, but there were this one corner of the theater that WOULD NOT SHUT UP. Long after a scare they would be like "DID YOU SEE THAT? I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF THERE!" at the top of their lungs. That shit is annoying sitting on the couch at home watching a DVD, let alone in a 300 people theater. Someone else was annoyed by it as well. He kept saying "Be quiet. I swear to God. Shut up." Good for him. I heard, but didn't see what sounded like the beginning of a fight at the end of the movie. Not cool, but I can't be too mad at him.
*Nothing wrong with a formula. Phineas and Ferb is one of the most formulaic shows out there and it is amazing because of how they fill the formula with crazy plots and jokes, then play with it.
I haven't seen that show since we moved and dropped cable 7 months ago. I really need to Netflix it.
**There's something else I need to Netflix.
***Love those words!
****"Minimum of Awkwardness" sounds like a title of a James Bond parody. Definitely not the title of the chapter of my biography concerning...well, anything.