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Friday, October 19, 2012

MOVIE REVIEW: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4

IN THEATERS

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4




It has been five years since Katie (Katie Featherston) murdered her sister and disappeared with her infant nephew, Hunter, in tow. Now, a new family is about to fall prey to nighttime terrors. A mysterious accident next door leads to teenage Alex (Kathryn Newton) and her family becoming the temporary guardians of Robbie (Brady Allen), a very creepy neighbor boy. Cameras installed throughout Alex's home capture the sinister events that unfold after Robbie's arrival.

Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Cast: Stephen Dunham, Alexondra Lee, Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively

Release Date: Oct 19, 2012

Rated R for language and some violence/terror

Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

For the first 3 films the Paranormal Activity franchise got an incredible amount of run out a plot and mythology that was literally made up as they went. It was fairly impressive considering its humble beginnings. I respected the 3rd film for expanding the mythos but it never connected to me the way the first 2 did and seemed to lack the visceral punch they had. The 4th entry in the franchise feels like a recycled and tired retread of everything we’ve seen before. There’s very little innovation and creativity here outside of new types of cameras (webcams, camera phone & Xbox Kinetic) and new family. Kathryn Kewton and Brady Allen make for a belivable teenage couple. Brady Allen delivers the creepy kid quotient for this entry. The story seems drenched in mythology but lacking in substance at the same time. It makes for a strange viewing experience because all the usual jump scares and shocks seem to get in the way more than anything else. They are expected and telegraphed that they lack any pop. The plot is filled with lazy plot devices like an overly creepy kid, somewhat detached and disinterested parents dealing with relationship issues and a neighborhood where nobody locks there door. The finale ramps up some energy and forward momentum, something missing for the better part of the film, but by then you just want them to get to the big reveal. Paranormal Activity 4 clocks in at barely an hour and a half long but the entire experience feel decidedly longer.

D+


8 comments:

  1. ouch. it may be time to hang up this series.

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    Replies
    1. Really think so Candice, think 3 may have been a better stopping point.

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  2. Pretty much agree with you, though I hated even more than you. Gave it a 2/10 :) Thought that 1, 2 & 3 are equally enjoyable. Unfortunately there's almost nothing enjoyable about this piece of rubbish.

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    Replies
    1. First 3 were very enjoyable even with my issues on the 3rd one but this just felt and uninspired.

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  3. Haven't been a huge fan of this series, but this entry and the marketing seemed very lackluster than before... and your review seems to share the sentiments that this film is lacking as well. Time to wrap it up, but who would have thought that the PA franchise would take over for the Saw franchise?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading man, this is just a lazy entry all around. I know what you mean about it taking over for Saw, it's going to keep getting sequels as long as it makes money.

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  4. I think I'm the only one who hasn't enjoyed these films. They didn't connect with me in the least, but this last one actually looked somewhat more enjoyable than the first three so I thought I might give it a shot. Sounds more like I should wait until Netflix.

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    Replies
    1. Think its the genre really, some people are turned off by it. Netflix might be a good idea.

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