Posted on October 22, 2009
by Jay Farmington
I had the privilege to check out Paranormal Activity the other day. I will admit right off the rip that I was expecting it to be just another hyped up horror movie that a few guys got together and pushed onto the Indie film scene. Based on the trailer I was expecting shaky "first person" camera views, and forced "everyday talking" dialog, I just knew it was going to annoy me. With all of the hype on every social media website I assumed that I would be greatly disappointed. The movie is about the haunting experienced by a couple living in a home in what appears to be California. With the purchase of a video camera we get to watch as their entire story unfolds. The movie takes us on a ride that seems to be genuine; girl has haunted past, boy wants to help, both want answers so they try and find them.
Everyone told me before I saw it that is was nothing more than a washed up "Blair Witch" attempt. I figured that it would be over dramatized and I was expecting the Hollywood CG crap to eventually stream across the screen and ruin it for me. I figured that if so many people were saying it sucked then I'm sure that the climax would be something right out of some flashy and overcooked movie where a demon jumps out of a wall with the fires of hell streaming behind him. I was greatly impressed when this never happened.
The reason people hate this movie is because they don't understand this movie. We are so programmed to expect some flashy Terminator style ending that we are angry when we don't get it, even if we hate it! This movie depicts the events of what a haunting IS and WOULD BE if something that horrible were to ever enter someones life. Hauntings are not a joke where you say a few Hail Mary's and draw a cross. A haunting (based on my research) is something that no one is prepared for and in my opinion this movie illustrates that perfectly. If your buddy told you this story verbatim without the presence of a feature film, you would be shocked and immediately begin your own investigation.
Sure the film has it's cheesy moments and I'm sure some of you can predict the outcome but what makes this movie great are the moments it leaves up to your own interpretation. It lets you decide things for yourself. Once you get past the main guy character and wanting to smash his face in, you will enjoy it if you can look past it. Understand this is something that could EASILY be real. So in closing, don't hate. Try and enjoy and leave the shitty Industrial Light and Magic demons to Clive Barker.
