Paranormal Activity 2

This is kind of a working draft for the imdb review I plan to drop tomorrow. I will definitely need to trim this down so that it can be more accessible, but the beauty of this blog is to include all that came off the top immediately after the viewing.

Watching the extended cut was probably not the wisest choice. It takes a while to get to the good stuff. I guess, the whole point is to build to the big scenes, but it seems to take nearly thirty minutes before even the first demonic paranormal event occurs. The twist regarding the demon’s purpose and why its attracted to baby Hunter is pretty much laid out in this “prequel” to the first Paranormal Activity, in regards to making a deal with a demon in exchange for wealth, the first blood male to be given to the demon. Daniel who owns a chain of Burger Kings and his new wife, Kristi, bring newborn Hunter home, enjoying him with his teenage daughter from a previous relationship (it is hinted that mom has died), Ali. Seemingly harmless events start to happen. The pool cleaner is found outside the pool in the morning. A pot falls in the kitchen from its hanger. The beloved pet dog senses a presence. Martine, the Spanish maid knows the presence is “ bad spirits” and attempts to rid the home of them with burnt incense shaping the smoke in the form of the crucifix, but Daniel puts a stop to it right away, perhaps the worst mistake he could have made. Soon, however, the situation with the demon gets worse: a pan sets on fire, a door shuts on Ali while she’s outside seeing who was knocking at the front door, Hunter lifted out of bed by *it* (in this scene which had me mortified, being a father and all, we watch as Hunter leaves the room, not knowing what awaits the baby) so the baby could walk down stairs to “free it” from the basement. Soon Hunter’s dog protector is hospitalized by the demon, with Kristi herself, in a harrowing scene I’m sure lifted butts out of theater seats, being dragged by it down the stairs, eventually pulled into the basement for hours while Daniel and Ali were at the vet. Fully possessed, Martine is brought in by Daniel to try and rid the home of its bad mojo, but she informs him that he can only save Kristi by having the demon transfer into her sister, a blood relative. Reluctant but determined to save his family, Daniel will decide to do this, but his believing the demon, despite fleeing Kristi, will be gone once removed from its vessel, no longer to target Hunter, may not go according to plan.  The money scene, I figure, most will remember besides the demon drag down the stairs, is the kitchen cabinet doors all popping open (with all the pans falling) while Kristi is sitting at the table. Doors open by themselves and the scenes with the baby in his crib as the dog notices something inside the room might also deliver chills aimed to creep out the audience. Daniel’s disbelief in his daughter and wife’s claims of “ghosts” plaguing the home is not surprising and it is only when he views footage from the security cameras installed throughout his home and pool that his skepticism is challenged. The cameras were installed after the family comes home on day finding their house in shambles, furniture and objects, personal possessions and such, overturned and in disarray…this certainly sets the stage, although it feels like eternity before Paranormal Activity 2 starts to deliver what it promises in the trailers. . I have to say that the ending packs quite a wallop and ties well with Paranormal Activity.