Paranormal Activity

Rating: 6/10 (28 November 2009)

Paranormal Activity concerns a supernatural presence, perhaps demonic, terrorizing a couple, not married, with them recording the events on camera. We are privy to the footage and see how the presence consumes their life until it has what it so desires.
While I do agree that Paranormal Activity is little more than a glorified you-tube video, I can't completely dismiss it because it has some genuine spooks here and there. I do admit to finding it a bit tiresome after a while, there were others in the theater where I went to see it who were quite gripped and frightened out of their wits as the "ooga booga" moments transpire, pretty much late at night and early in the morning as the camera allows us to see the evil with effects like thuds, loud noises, shadows, wind brushing hair, sheets moving, lights going on and off, with other supernatural hi-jinx plaguing the couple, Michah(a day trader)and college student girlfriend Katie(Katie Featherston). Katie foretells how she has always been afflicted by this mysterious presence, no matter where she moves to, it follows. A psychic(Mark Fredrichs)attempts to provide advice, but it's his opinion that the thing living among them is demonic, and his expertise are more towards haunting. He provides them with the phone number of a demonologist, but Micah pooh-poohs such an idea as calling such a person. In not doing so, as we see what kind of influence Micah has over her, Katie may've put herself at greater risk regarding not seeking the assistance of the demonologist. Micah is sure he can keep Katie safe, not knowing truly what they're up against.
While the predator is indeed the supernatural presence, Katie it's prey, Micah is surely the antagonist. Micah seems excited about the idea of recording such a fiend on tape, not knowing that the camcorder is assisting in motivating the evil presence to continue, and it does grow more and more confident and powerful. We start to see Katie changing, behavioral shifts, and strange instances where she moves from the bed, as if controlled by something else, just standing, looking down at Micah, even leaving the house not under her own accord, remembering nothing. Perhaps if they had contacted the demonologist sooner(..a later call is in vain for he had left the country and the psychic would not remain in their home due to it's strength in power for which he felt immediately), help could've been provided to Katie.
The fact is, Micah is a prick. The camcorder is always on even when Katie's in a devastated condition, her emotional state in turmoil. He wants everything on tape and will go to extreme lengths in order to do so. Late into Paranormal Activity, Katie's visibly shaken and deeply traumatized, and it's only when the presence may've taken control of her that Micah opts to leave. Riding the coattails of The Blair Witch Project(..they resemble in fascinating ways), PA takes the "shot on tape" approach, capturing strange goings-on, as those affected by the evil, psychologically and otherwise, lose control, after what seems like an amusing joke where the "participants" aren't very serious about what they're up against. Katie, to her credit, does take the evil seriously, and she's the one who falls victim, thanks to the man she loves. Micah treats it as an amusement park ride, toying with an evil which will upend him in the end for his handling of this entire situation costs them dearly.