Review: Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

Paranormal Activity 2 Review

Directed by Tod Williams
Written by Oren Peli and Michael R. Perry
Starring Katie Featherston, Brian Boland, Sprague Grayden

Last summer, a low-budget horror film took the nation by surprise and grossed an astounding $107,917,293 domestic, on a budget that is reportedly under $20,000.  The movie, Paranormal Activity (2009), was written and directed by Oren Peli and told the tale of a young couple, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micha (Micha Sloat), who begin experiencing unexplainable phenomenon, filming it on a home camera. The film was shot cinéma vérité style, giving it a documentary feel and an illusion of authenticity which elevated the scares and thrills. Oren Peli is back this year with Paranormal Activity 2. Can he trap lightning in a bottle once again? The answer is simple: yes, yes he can.

For those who enjoyed the first film, the sequel (which is more of a prequel, really – but, more than that) has everything that the first film did right and added more to it in a smart and natural manner. For those who didn’t find the original to their liking, the cast additions and subtle changes to the camera positioning may be enough to convert you. For the sequel, Oren Peli takes a producing role and co-writes the script with Michael R. Perry. A relative unknown director, Tod Williams, steps in to direct. The small cast is replaced by only a slightly larger one with the addition of a family of four. The fresh blood serves the film well, adding just the right amount of change to the formula to make the sequel a rousing success without steering too far off the source material.

Paranormal Activity 2 opens with a family returning home with a newborn child. Hunter is his name and his new home is complete with his mother and father, a half-sister, a dog and a nanny. It’s the fairly normal, modern American family. Not long after the family returns home a few weeks later, they find their house a wreck, apparently the victim of a break in, except nothing has been stolen. In short order, the father installs a home security set up with multiple cameras throughout the house: living room, kitchen, the front door, baby’s room and back yard. These cameras, along with a hand held camera, begin to document the strange phenomenon that begins to plague the family; starting with Night 1, a year after Hunter first entered the home. As they begin to suspect what is happening to them, the father is a skeptic, the mother is in denial and the daughter begins to tie the pieces together. The family struggles to find a way to deal with the unknown entities in their house and fear for the safety of young Hunter.

The cinéma vérité style of film making employed by the original, and made famous by The Blair Witch Project (1999) and other films like Cloverfield (2008) and Quarantine (2008), brought a sense of realism to the original with the use of Micha’s hand held camera which he staged on his dresser while they slept. It’s like an episode of Ghost Hunters; except, in Paranormal Activity, they actually encounter something. In the sequel, the addition of the security cameras frees up the director to expand on the events as they take place throughout the house. He is able to show one room peaceful, tranquil while another has a door shutting on its own or kitchenware inexplicably falling to the floor. Later, he is able to show the action move from one room and camera to another, intensifying the chills. His use of these cameras allows the viewer to become familiar with the surroundings as the movie progresses, learning where to look, where one exit leads to another’s entrance. Where the first film had the bedroom doorway and hall, the sequel adds the kitchen, living room, the front door and Hunter’s room. It’s a smart and rewarding addition.

The filmmakers make other brave decisions as well with the additions of children and pets; a difficult proposition for most films, but especially for horror films. Putting an infant child at risk can be a touchy subject, but it is handled well in Paranormal Activity 2. For the most part, the danger to young Hunter is implied and is just strong enough for the audience to fear for his safety. This applies to the pet dog as well, who also has a frightening encounter of her own. The director overcomes the challenges and delivers with both serving to amplify the fear and dread. He also has the fortune of having a strong teenage actress as well. Her role as the believer is pivotal to the film and much of the narrative and exposition belong to her. She does a convincing job and brings a rare realistic teenager to the screen.

In fact, all around the acting is excellent, Brian Boland and Sprague Grayden as the parents are a believable couple and portray a likable, loving family. They feel married, they feel like parents. The nanny is warm, friendly, and justifiably superstitious. They are all given light moments as well and are naturally funny. Even the daughter’s boyfriend doesn’t strike a foul cord. It’s a strong cast that never becomes annoying. If this isn’t your family, you know this family. They live on your block, or down the street. They might not have as nice a house, or a nanny, but you wave at them and smile when you pass them on your way to work.

The film takes its time getting to the scares. Much like the original, they start small; a few sounds, something moves, lights flicker on and off or a child’s toy that moves on its own. The filmmakers give the audience ample time to get to know the family, to like the family, to feel comfortable in their home, before they start filling the screen with horror. It pays off when the activity is scaled up making the scares all the more genuine. The audience knows which room is the hot spot, which door is “the” door. Knowing it is coming is suddenly as scary as the event when it finally arrives. The suspense is killer. One scene in particular, set in the kitchen, may become the most startling scene in a horror movie this year.

Paranormal Activity 2 is a surprising success. For fans of the last years hit, it’s a sequel that is as good as or, perhaps, even better than the original; a rarity either way. It ties directly to the original in an unexpected and fascinating way. It should be very interesting to see the two pictures back to back; they end up being two parts of a whole. The director is able to expand on the style and themes of the first film without corrupting the original’s tone, creating a broader blueprint for the next director that will inevitably come along to pick up the reins for Paranormal Activity 3. It has a warm, friendly cast and is full of chills, scares and screams of terror. A telling sign, the idea of another sequel is a promising one.

4.5 out of 5