If you didn’t like “Paranormal Activity”, you won’t like the sequel, either. If you DID like the first film, such as myself, then this still probably won’t live up to all of the expectations you may have. It’s all the same type of scares and shocks, only not as effective. The biggest letdown is that the first film cost the budget of a 3-bedroom house in a common neighborhood; this one was about $2.5 million. However, it is better than it has any right to be, and what saves it from being a lackluster ho-hum prequel is the way the two movies tie together. It works so well, all grounds are covered, and even though it is not quite as freaky, I was still overall pleased.
It has never been hard for me to become frightened over things unseen. I am one of those people that gets the jitters from the house settling, or when my dryer goes off and makes the loud buzzing noise that it ALWAYS makes. If I wake up to the dog barking, or my daughter whimpering in the dead of night, I envision an alien abduction. If Brandy (my lady for life, for those not in-the-know) wakes me out of sleep because she heard something, I automatically sum it up to a specter, a demon waiting to possess, or even some escaped lunatic who has already been killed a million times. I never think of anything logical; I always categorize it as some supernatural event. It’s ridiculous, I know. It’s just how I am, it is how I have always been, and this is what keeps me coming back to these types of movies. In a weird obstinate way, I like to be creeped out.
Carrying on, the story in “PA2” takes place just mere months before the first film, and follows Katie’s sister, Kristi, and her family. She and her husband (whom has a teenage daughter from a previous marriage) have recently had a baby and moved into a new house. They also have a German shepherd named Abby, who sleeps in the baby’s room every night right next to the crib (there is no importance to me bringing this up, other than it reminding me of our dog watching over our daughter). Early on, from a day out, they arrive to their home in complete shambles, almost every room. Immediately thinking it was a break-in, the husband has cameras installed throughout - as well as around the exterior of - the house. Things simmer down for awhile; but just like the first film, the happenings start out small, usually when someone is alone, and ultimately build up to chaos.
As I mentioned, “PA2” is just not as effective as its predecessor is, how it coincides is what makes it enjoyable. The acting is perfect for what it has to be with everyone involved. It is also hardly noticeable that a different director was behind the camera. The way the characters of Micah and Katie from the first movie weave in and out of the story is really smart and eerie. It’s eerie because you already know somewhat of their outcome in all of this. For me it was above average, but I am a sucker for mockumentaries. If you are not into that stuff, or if you are someone that just HAS to see what or who the evil is at all times, AVOID.
