Last year, Paranormal Activity became a surprise hit and was “demanded” everywhere. It was a big success so there had to be a sequel. With a bigger budget and following, Paranormal Activity 2 still delivers some scares, but we halfway know what to expect this time around. We are used to some of its tricks, even if we still fall for them. But just like in the first one, once the screen goes to the night cameras, everyone prepares for the worst.
Paranormal Activity 2 is actually a prequel to Paranormal Activity. In this one, we find out how and why Katie and Micah’s house becomes haunted. There are some other things that you may pick up on, revealing what has already occurred in the first movie (like a picture that was found). Kristi (Sprague Grayden), Katie’s sister, has the perfect family. She has Dan (Brian Boland), her loving husband with a sense of humor about everything. Then there is Dan’s daughter, Ali (Molly Ephraim), who is a normal teenage girl who likes to talk on the phone and hates when anyone enters her room. Dan and Kristi have a newborn baby boy named Hunter and he has a guard dog. So a big happy family who have it all, right? Wrong!
One day when they come home, their house is torn a part. Everything is thrown everywhere. It appears to be a break-in but nothing was taken except a necklace that her sister gave her. That’s it. This is when several security cameras are put around the house and what gives us all the action. And soon come the noises, the doors slamming, pots falling, and people being dragged across the hall and down the stairs. Again, it is stuff we have seen before.
Now Paranormal Activity 2 still does a nice job of being suspenseful and providing a lot of “gotcha” moments. There is no doubt that you will jump at least once. It gets really tense during the scene in the basement. And the way the two Paranormal movies tie in with each other is a smart move. It gives the movie a purpose and makes it more interesting.
The performances in the movie are really good. They are believable and the cast reacts the way most people would in this situation. Well for the most part. They are not familiar faces, which is the whole point of trying to make you think what is happening is real. And the security cameras are a great addition and really bring something new to the table. You are able to get a lot of looks at several different locations. And every time these cameras change from one to another, you never know what will happen or when. You are just left waiting and anticipating the next move.
Overall, Paranormal Activity 2 is a success. It haunts and scares like it should. Sure there are similarities on how the movie scares you but there are some changes that separate it from the first one. Even though it is fake, these Paranormal movies make it feel so real. That is what works the best.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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