When I first heard about Paranormal Activity 2, I initially
thought that it was a bad idea. Because how can they improve upon the original,
which was a fun scare fest that dealt with a young couple who were besieged by
supernatural forces in their McMansion. The fact that the first film had an
absolute and final ending was all the more reason why I thought a sequel was a
bad idea. What was left to explore, except to have yet another family go through
the same haunted house clichés? When I finally got my copy of PA2 to review, I
had to admit to not really looking forward to seeing this one. At most, I figured
it would just be a passable carbon copy of the original with a few more fun scares.
But I’m glad I did see it, because the sequel wound up being very good. For one
thing, it’s not actually a sequel, but a prequel that takes place shortly before
the events of the first film. The family under siege by dark forces this time
consists of a husband and wife, Daniel and Kristi Rey (Brian Boland and Sprague
Grayden) who have a little baby boy by the name of Hunter (played by twins
William Juan Prieto & Jackson Xenia Prieto). Hunter has an older stepsister,
Ali (Molly Ephraim) from an earlier marriage by the father. It’s originally Ali
and her dad who record everything with a camcorder, providing us with a look at
the proceedings, since PA2 continues the tradition of showing only what happens
through the lens of a camera that one of the characters wields.
The spooky stuff begins to take place when the entire household get tossed
around while the Reys are out for the day. They return and are shocked and
horrified at the mess, which they think is caused by regular burglars. This
prompts Daniel and Kristi to hire a security company to install hidden cameras
throughout the house, and this is an ingenious idea on the part of the
filmmakers--because the security cameras provide a better, God-like POV into
what’s happening with this family. We’re no longer restricted to trying to see
what’s going on through the jerky hand-held motions of somebody holding a camera.
Another interesting facet of the prequel is that Kristi is the sister of the
first film’s Katie (Katie Featherston), who also stars here with her boyfriend,
Micah ( Micah Sloat). By having the prequel take place before the events of the
first film, the filmmakers expand on the first movie by explaining some very
important details, such as why Katie and Micah wound up being haunted in the
first place. And, within its last scenes, the prequel becomes a sequel to the
first movie, as we learn the final fate of all involved, wrapping everything up
in a nice little chilly bow. Paranormal Activity 2 is highly recommended as being a
superb bookend that compliments the first movie. PA and PA2 would both make for a great double feature on Halloween,
just be sure to leave the lights on when you watch them.
--SF
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