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'Paranormal Activity' actually scares viewers
The Advocate
After stepping out of the theater last weekend, I was speechless and did only one thing: sighed in absolute relief. Finally, a horror movie, “Paranormal Activity,” that was actually scary.
Although I’ve seen tons of horror movies, never have I been this scared in the theater. I’ve seen just about every trick ever used in the cinematography of scary movies. Most horror films use only fleeting visuals of the monster or ghost until the middle or end of the movie, while using jumpy, loud noises and ridiculous cheap shots to entice the audience. In the end, when the twist is revealed, it is more comedic than scary, and there is nothing frightening about it. But this movie is nothing like that.
“Paranormal Activity” is based on director Oren Peli’s experiences in his own house. In fact, the movie was shot in Peli’s house. A young couple, Katie and Micah, experience weird things in their house and decide to get a camera to see if they capture any strange things. The acting is superb, mostly because of the free-flowing nature of the dialogue and chemistry of the actors. While the movie was filmed in 2007, it was not released until last month in select cities, mostly because Peli was in talks with Hollywood to re-film the movie. Thankfully, they released the original film; surely Hollywood would have completely ruined it.
This movie has been compared by critics to “The Blair Witch Project” in its use of a single camera, rather than using a Hollywood crew. Like “Blair Witch,” the terror in “Paranormal Activity” is both blatant and subtle; you see exactly what is going on, but aren’t sure why – and that is why it is so scary. The single most important element in any horror film is atmosphere, and a viewer can literally feel the movie become darker as it progresses. The pacing of the film is excellent. There is no sense of urgency to capture the audience’s attention. As the main characters grow more and more upset by the presence of an entity in their house, you begin to feel the torture that they feel. The movie is marvelously paced.
But the real bread and butter are the nighttime bedroom scenes. The camera is placed on a tripod each evening while the couple sleeps. The first few scenes are brilliantly creepy and leave you wanting more. As the movie progresses, though, the viewer begins to feel a sense of apprehension – almost fear – at seeing more night footage.
There are, as with any movie, a few bothersome parts, but they are so minute that they are hardly noticed. I personally don’t know anyone as bone-headed and thick-skulled as Micah; he puts the camera as his number one priority, almost to a fault, and constantly antagonizes the beast verbally, only leading to more suffering. Clearly though, the movie hinges on his idiocy.
Another issue is that while the movie is well paced, the end of the film is almost too abrupt. It could have been extended an additional 10 minutes, answered a few more questions, and done a few more things. These are minor issues, though.
In the end, the genuine terror and apprehension in this film is unlike any I’ve ever seen in all but a few films. Don’t see it alone.
Rating: 5/5
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