Movie Review: Paranormal Activity 4

This is perhaps one of the most anticipated horror films of the year, after the commercial success of its first three films. All of which grossed more than US$100 million and this is expected to do just the same. Katie is still part of the cast, the only one left from the original Paranormal Activity. The movie is still about poltergeist-like activities (perhaps due to Toby), demonic possession of Katie and perhaps Hunter, cult/coven/witchcraft, and other invisible forces. This time though, the cameras used were from the MacBook computers' webcam, which made me wonder how much Apple paid for this. There were a few surprises in the movie as well. So, better be prepared.

The story goes like this: Katie is possessed by a demon, kills her sister Kristi, and runs away with Kristi's son Hunter. The story then jumps ahead five years later and focuses on siblings Alice and Wyatt, Alice's boyfriend Ben, and a frightening little boy across the street named Robbie. Alice and Ben decide to use laptop computers to document the frightening supernatural occurrences that happen when Robbie is around Alice's house. Robbie seems especially interested in Alice's brother Wyatt, and wants what he and Wyatt do to be kept secret from Alice. Alice's parents are too detached to notice the evil emerging around them.

Paranormal Activity 4 is not for the faint-hearted. It's bound to keep you frightened throughout the film though I must admit, the first half of the movie is quite dragging. The genre is definitely horror like the first three films. There were several new effects used like the night vision camera. Toby, the invisible demon, was still there. Flying and moving objects were still present in the film. My only qualm about this sequel is that it doesn't contribute anything to the plot of the first three films. The film ended with Katie and Hunter still being the villains. One more thing, if you wait until the movie is finished showing the credits, you'll see a clip of Katie's grandmother (well, she looked like her grandmother) acting crazy in a store who's about to attack someone and then the screen goes black. Anyway, if you want to get scared, then yes this is a must-watch. Paranormal Activity has always been in the bucket list of horror movie lovers and theater goers. I'm pretty this movie won't disappoint most of you.