GRADE: A

I can honestly say that I really do not like scary movies. I don’t like cringing from fear, holding my hands over my mouth in terror, or jumping with fright. Horror movies have never been my thing. Even with that considered, I rarely stay away from a well done horror flick. I personally felt the first Paranormal Activity was not as terrifying or great as everyone built it up to be when I saw it on Blu-Ray for the first time. With that perception of the original, I will admit I was not expecting much from Paranormal Activity 2. But after the screening on Thursday night I will definitely be pulling my old nightlight out of storage to place it back on duty for the next few weeks.

I heard from some people that Paranormal Activity 2 didn’t really strike them as scary. I will argue those people didn’t allow themselves to embrace the voyeuristic thrill ride a movie like this allows a viewer to sink into. Paranormal Activity 2 is shot on a hand-held camera and security monitors in an effort to convey realism. This is done to immerse the audience in a setting and a story that is supposed to feel, well, like the events really happened. Of course this is a work of fiction, but if you don’t give yourself a chance to dive in head first, allowing yourself to be buried in the environment, stuck in the “haunted house” with the family, you will not have near the same terrifying viewing experience I did.

The best thing about the movie was the stellar writing. Michael R. Perry weaved the storyline from Paranormal Activity into the sequel which brought a sense of familiarity with this second chilling chapter. Even though the setup for the movie seems excruciatingly long early in the film, the slow assent to the peak of the roller coaster makes the ride down so much more enjoyable once the demons unleash their wrath. When the movie slowed down, the calm subdued the uneasiness for what was to come leading the audience like a lamb to a demonic slaughter. As the danger approaches, the feeling of anxiousness overwhelms the senses. A barely soft rumble heightens the fear waiting for the demons to reveal themselves in a subtle or violent manner.

The scary parts of the movie greatly overshadow the slower set up. But the setup and character development is what makes the viewer care for the family and their dire situation. The contrast between the stillness of day and the turmoil of night at the house is like the difference between between Amy Winehouse and sobriety (I am sure you can tell she disgusts me). The tension from the crowded theater was apparent as each terrifying evening began when the date and time flashed across the nighttime setting.

Overall, Paranormal Activity 2 was one of the best horror movies I have ever seen. I was riddled with constant fright during the last 30+ minutes of the movie. I couldn’t stand seeing the characters in the destructive path of the demonic presence in the house. I jumped and shrieked (but like a man mind you) plenty of times during the movie causing me to desire a swift conclusion; not because I disliked the movie itself, but the trepidation mounted to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore (see the first sentence of this article).

What Should You Do? Any person considering themselves a horror fan definitely needs to participate in the full experience watching the film on the big screen in a dark theater.