Review: 'Paranormal Activity 3' is the best in the series

Film: Paranormal Activity 3
Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
Cast: Katie Featherston, Christopher Nicholas Smith, Sprague Grayden, Jessica Tyler Brown, Chloe Csengery
Rating: ***

 

The recent chapter in the Paranormal Activity saga once again high-lights only the surmisable theme that runs throughout the series: the tragedy that befalls men who stupidly choose to stand by and film spook-inspired violent goings-on as their families are being targeted from beyond the grave (or, more correctly, another dimension). And this time we turn to the man who unwittingly started this unfortunate tradition.

 

It’s the 80s and the spook–struck sisters Katie (Katie) and Kristi (Sprague) are wee kids living with their mother and her boyfriend Dennis (Christopher Nicholas). When Kristi starts talking to imaginary fiend, er friend Toby and strange things start happening, Dennis, who earns his daily bread by filming weddings rises to the occasion by setting up cameras.

 

Though the film makes significant contributions to the already-ludicrous Paranormal Activity universe, expect no innovations to the well-worn (and for some unfathomable reason, well-received) format. There’s same slow-burn unfolding of ‘scares’ (which are still faithfully accompanied by musical blasts) that have your butt kissing the seat goodbye every once in a while.

 

Paranormal Activity 3, thanks to its bizarre premise, is sillier and more out-there than its predecessors, but far less ponderous and the instances where the terror makes itself manifest are better set up. Take, for example, a scene where an altered fan bearing a camera alternates between the silent, almost placid night-cloaked living room and a spic and span kitchen where sits a hapless, unsuspecting babysitter.

 

Many, not unjustifiably, might find that the film has lost its edge (not that it had any for this reviewer) and though the film doesn’t quite require you come to the threatre wearing rubber pants, it’s a fun way to kill time.

 

Paranormal Activity 3 is the best in the series, but this is not a major feat seeing how sophomoric the previous two were.