Halloween reviews: Paranormal Activity 4

Last night, I saw Paranormal Activity 4, the fourth in the line of successful "found-footage" films. To be brief, I liked the first film, enjoyed the second one, and was enterained by the third (my favorite one). But this one, meh.... (Also, check out my other blog: mattsmonstermovies.blogspot.com, and check out spill.com, Jeremy Jahns, MrRepzion, and Film Brain's reviews of this movie.)

Paranormal Activity 4:
Teenager Alex and her boyfriend Ben begin noticing strange things about Alex's new neighbors. One night, Robbie, the neighbor's kid, is left alone after his mom (Katie from the other films) is taken to the hospital. Robbie has no other known relatives and must stay with Alex's family for a few days. Strange things begin happening around Robbie, but even after he's gone, the "activity" sticks aorund, and has a focus on Alex's adopted brother Wyatt. The problem with this film is that it treads on old ground. They dig up dirt on a witch cult, which would be interesting, except it was done better in the last movie. And sometimes the characters (as usual) use cameras when no one would use a camera. They only use webcams, which means they carry their laptops everywhere. That's even more implausable. Also, it takes everything good about the brilliant and disturbing horror film Sinister (see my blog mattsmonstermovies.blogspot.com for that review) and flips it on it's head. Instead of having a good main character which the director focuses on, they focus on how much dumb shit they can cram in. Instead of haunting and creepy music, they have no music whatsoever. Instead of a mature, older character that the audience can still relate to, which makes the film more adult; they have two dumb teens that aren't interesting whatsoever, slasher characters at best. Instead of a mysterious and terrifying villain that is used effectively and briefly, they show the demon as much as they can, no matter how gimmicky they do it. Instead of a disturbing ending that rules out a sequel, they leave it open-ended in case they do make a sequel. Just don't see this movie, don't give these hacks any more money, and don't ensure a fifth film. This is a disgrace to Paranormal Activity and the found footage genre in general. Blair Witch 2 was better than this shit! I can't believe Oren Peli produced this film, after directing the original Activity, going through all these motions to make it, including shooting the thing in his own home, has now had his vision shit on. I can't believe this film shares producers with Insidious and Sinister. Damn, Paranormal Activity 4 isn't worth the time, money, or effort. 1/5 stars.

(And the poster's pretty cheap, too.)