[Review] Paranormal Activity 3 - 6th December 2011

★

★

★

★

 - Leaves A Lot To Be Desired [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]

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Release Date: 21st October 2011
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Director:  Henry Joost - Ariel Schulman
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Writer: Christopher Landon [screenplay] - Oren Peli [Story]
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Cast: Chloe Csengery - Jessica Tyler Brown - Christopher Nicholas Smith

Review

Lets go back to the beginning shall we? ‘Paranormal Activity’ – not one of the best films I have ever seen, but still a fairly original idea that provided the necessary tension and fear in parts, a successful film when you consider the budget it was made on. However in my view ‘Paranormal Activity 2’ – was far less impressive than its predecessor. The film did introduce some new elements, a baby and a dog for example, but it was basically a copy of the first, making it highly predictable, and therefore not as frightening as it might have been.

Now we have been presented with ‘Paranormal Activity 3', and I’m afraid it is not possible to have anything more positive to say about the third installment.

‘Paranormal Activity 3’ is a prequel to the stories of Katie and Kristi, the sisters who where the main characters in the previous two ‘Paranormal Activity’ films. This time, we are taken back to their childhood to see where the various supernatural hauntings of their families began.

The main problem with ‘Paranormal Activity 3’ is, like the second, that it is just far too predictable. Though the narrative and setting are slightly different, the techniques used to generate fear and suspense throughout the film are identical to its predecessors. As a viewer, you have an awareness of when you are supposed to be frightened, thus making the suspense scenes less effective.

However, for me the feature that makes ‘Paranormal Activity 3’ the worst of the trilogy is the unintentional comical elements. Throughout the film I found myself laughing at scenes that where supposed to create suspense – the complete adverse effect a horror is supposed to have on a viewer.

Several of the key scenes were dominated by unrealistic, amateurish performances and special effects resulting in the viewer feeling uncomfortably keen to see the end of such offerings, and not the intended prescribed fear.  If the way the film is created stops narrative from generating escapism, particularly in horror, then the film will ultimately be unsuccessful.

A final thought about 'Paranormal Activity 3' involves its marketing: I initially decided to go and see the film because of its trailer. However, after seeing the film, it was obvious that the trailer included scenes that were not in the film - this frustrated me, as it was these scenes that initially persuaded me to go and see the picture. To not include them in this context is a poor marketing strategy.  

‘Paranormal Activity 3’ – a substandard film that I would not recommend on many levels.