Paranormal Activity
Directed By: Oren Peli
Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
Rated: R
1 hrs. 26 min.
Twentysomething couple Micah and Katie are plagued by unexplainable phenomena in their shared home in San Diego, California. Katie believes an entity has been following her since childhood, and Micah purchases a camera to capture its activity. When noises and shadows, among other frightening things, are captured, Micah brings in a Ouija board, against Katie's wishes, to contact the spirit; Micah only succeeds in making their situation exponentially worse.
Paranormal Activity is a brilliant horror flick that pulls inspiration from previous films such as The Blair Witch Project, both in the way it was promoted (through heavy internet marketing) and in the way it was filmed. Shot for only $11,000 in the director's home on hand-held video camera, Paranormal Activity feels shockingly real and that makes it seem even more frightening. The two main actors even used their actual names, and title cards at the beginning and end suggest it is based on a true story.
Seeing Paranormal Activity is a must for any fan of horror flicks. The thought of something out of your control occurring in your home while you sleep is absolutely terrifying. The sounds that occur in the quietest moments creates perfect tension. There are moments that are quiet and suspenseful, and there are moments that will make you jump. Everything builds towards the shocking ending that will leave you in fear of sleeping alone in the dark.
As truly exceptional as the film is in its scares, there are moments that seem unnecessary or too drawn out. The beginning seems to drag on, and it doesn't get interesting until phenomena begin occurring in the house. Two or three of the "nights" shown could more than likely have been condensed in order to leave room for more actual paranormal activity.
While the beginning is a little too slow building, Paranormal Activity is an overall spectacular horror film.
Grade: A-
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