Review: Kinect gets 'Paranormal Activity 4' moving

Film: Paranormal Activity 4 (A)
Cast: Kathryn Newton, Katie Featherston, Brady Allen
Directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
Rating: ***

Paranormal Activity must be the only horror franchise that, with every instalment, gets relatively better. The advancement in technology used in the recording of the said activity which serves as the narrative in the found-footage sub-genre of horror is welcome. Shaking off the sophomoric look of its predecessors, PA 4 goes forward with the propositions of Paranormal Activity 2 and Paranormal Activity 3, which expanded on the first film, a low-budget blockbuster.

The webcam and laptop of teenager Alice (Newton) capture the escapades of her all-American family, providing a happy distraction for the audience before it is compelled to laugh defensively (the gents) and start screaming at imagined phantasms (the ladies). But the strange things only begin once we are introduced to Robbie, the strange kid who moved next door to get close to Alex’s brother. Add Xbox’s motion-sensing device ‘Kinect‘ to the surveillance system set up by the tech-savvy boyfriend and voila! you have new chills!

Blocking out the intelligence-insulting back story and the lack of subtlety that dog the franchise and accepting that things are going to get ludicrous from the outset go a long way in improving one's engagement with the film. With that attitude, the thing gets fairly absorbing with the odd well-set-up moments actually spooking you.

The performances are decent as far as horror films go and the pubescent girl, the shaky family dynamics, and the all-time genre favourite, spooky kids, work in its favour. There is a marked improvement in visual quality and the story is definitely better paced with relatable characters.

If you have been sitting on pins and needles to catch Paranormal Activity 4 on the big screen, and if scepticism about whether the series has run its course some sequels ago won't faze you, go for it.