Paranormously creepy.
Released: 2011
Genre(s): Horror
It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of the "found Handycam footage"-style of horror films - I've been known to place the people who buy into them in the same category as second grade dropouts and drunk hobos who claim they were probed by aliens. Regardless, I've found the "Paranormal Activity" series of movies a pleasant set of entries into the genre, specifically "Paranormal Activity 2" and this most recent iteration. "Paranormal Activity 3" serves as a prequel to the previous two movies in the collection, presenting further backstory to the very haunted and twisted lives of the films' main characters. Like the two films before it, "Paranormal Activity 3" gives us plenty of tense situations, slowly - yet effectively - building a hostile, creepy atmosphere and giving the viewer plenty of time to fear what goes bump in the night. There are enough edge-of-your-seat moments here to shake the soundest of resolutions, as the movie preys on the primal anxiety caused by a threat that remains unseen and is seemingly unstoppable. While there is a fairly-heavy reliance on cheap jump-scares, the only real issue I have with this third offering's fright-factor is it seems to (at least spiritually) recycle some of the tactics used to creep us out in the second film. Despite this, "Paranormal Activity 3" is a fun, creepy ride that really picks up steam close to the end, and should best be enjoyed with the lights off.
Rating (out of 5): 3
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