Dylan Fair
Arts Editor
After the monumental success of the daringly original “Paranormal Activity,” the idea of creating a successful and coherent trilogy seemed to be a difficult task. However, as unlikely as it sounds, “Paranormal Activity 3” is in fact one of the rare occasions in which the third installment clearly surpasses the original.
“Paranormal Activity 3” is able to properly utilize its $5 million dollar budget by improving aspects like creativity and quality of actors. The movie proves to be the most terrifying of the trilogy by finding the proper balance between suspense and cheap scares and by implementing unique film- making techniques.
The film takes place in the 1980s and documents the childhood horrors endured by Katie (Chloe Csengery) and Kriste Rey (Jessica Tyler Brown), the victims of the first two films. “Paranormal Activity 3” is the same haunted -house story but gives insight into how and why the haunting began in the first place.
“Paranormal Activity 3” is based around young Kristie and her imaginary friend Toby, who turns out to be an actual evil spirit that haunts her house and terrorizes her sister, their mother Julie (Lauren Bittner) and stepfather Dennis (Christopher Smith). During the family’s torment the audience gains insight into the family’s reasons for their close relationship with the supernatural.
The most terrifying aspect of the film is a new panning camera. Dennis mounts a camera onto a fan. The panning back and forth is a hair-raising suspense technique and is the centerpiece of the film’s spine-tingling scenes.
A minor setback to “Paranormal Activity 3” are the script’s numerous plot holes. One prime example is when Dennis explains to Kriste that the cameras in the house can record up to six hours of footage; however, it is never explained how the cameras are able to record for the entire duration of the night.
For the most part, these slight distractions can be overlooked, due to a very improved and expanded cast of actors. Dennis’ friend, Randy (Dustin Ingram), gives a very genuine performance and truly seemed shaken by the events that befell him. Brown does her best Heather O’Rourke impersonation and plays the prefect child victim.
While “Paranormal Activity 3” does consist of cheap scares, it does not diminish the overall terror of the film. These “pop out” scenes are few and far between but in context will makes audiences jump out of their seats. They add a comedic element to the film in the midst of a genuinely bone- chilling experience.
Although the film does not stray too far from the path of the first two installments, it expands and improves upon the strenghts of the earlier “Paranormal Activity” films. In a genre that, as a whole, is full of busts and disappointments, “Paranormal Activity 3” proves to be a truly frightening horror movie experience.
“Paranormal Activity 3” opened on Oct. 21 and is playing in theaters nationwide.
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