Spielberg should have left it alone

Rating: 7/10 (15 October 2009)

Personally, I loved the "Blair Witch Project." That movie had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Then I go and see a film like "Cloverfield" which failed so miserably at what they were trying to do I actually wanted to leave the theater in the middle of the showing. So I was a little skeptical going in to see "Paranormal Activity." But I went in thinking that since it was an indie film it wouldn't have all the Hollywood nonsense. And I was right. The tension-building in the early parts of the film were very well done, and the character development was great. Well, sort of... Katie Featherston's performance was outstanding, and I found myself feeling very bad for her character as the situation got progressively worse. Micah, on the other hand, annoyed the hell out of me. I really couldn't believe that someone who made as much money on the stock market as he did could be so stupid. He finally started showing some redeeming qualities towards the end, but overall I was kinda glad when he got his comeuppance...
So now the ending... I tell you, the final minute or so pretty much ruined it for me. The bit where she grins evilly into the camera and then makes the demon-face was completely unnecessary and ruined what could have been a brilliant ending. I heard that the ending that made it to theaters wasn't the original, but was one that Spielberg "suggested." Well, I can't say that I blame Peli. You don't say no to Stephen Spielberg. But I just wish that he could have left his mitts off of it.
Overall though, it was definitely very creepy and I did have a hard time going to sleep that night. So 7 out of 10.