Paranormal Activity 3 is the second sequel to Paranormal Activity, but its story is chronologically first. It is set in 1988 and it follows the main characters of the two previous movies as it describes how the haunting all started. Precisely, it just describes events, and only at the end offers an explanation of the possible onset and causes for the events we witness in the two previous movies.
I think this is a typical case of aiming to repeat an unexpected success and trying so hard, it turns the whole thing into a pastiche. The original Paranormal Activity was a low-budget movie, and it was following a formula that hadn't been successfully used since Blair Witch Project. It also managed to give the formula a new use in applying it to a domestic environment and a new theme. Suspension of disbelief was required, but the movie was coherent within itself and it certainly delivered.
Now, this second sequel is the perfect example of the opposite: it basically repeats the same trick, but it tries really hard to be as good as, if not to surpass the original, and it is doomed to fail. In trying that hard, the movie-makers turn to ridiculous plot twists, tired scares (which are so predictable, you can almost tell exactly when and what is going to happen) and just basically the same thing we have watched twice before, but done much worse.
I would recommend this movie to fans of the Paranormal Activity franchise and to horror fans desperate for something to watch.
My score is 3/10.
I think this is a typical case of aiming to repeat an unexpected success and trying so hard, it turns the whole thing into a pastiche. The original Paranormal Activity was a low-budget movie, and it was following a formula that hadn't been successfully used since Blair Witch Project. It also managed to give the formula a new use in applying it to a domestic environment and a new theme. Suspension of disbelief was required, but the movie was coherent within itself and it certainly delivered.
Now, this second sequel is the perfect example of the opposite: it basically repeats the same trick, but it tries really hard to be as good as, if not to surpass the original, and it is doomed to fail. In trying that hard, the movie-makers turn to ridiculous plot twists, tired scares (which are so predictable, you can almost tell exactly when and what is going to happen) and just basically the same thing we have watched twice before, but done much worse.
I would recommend this movie to fans of the Paranormal Activity franchise and to horror fans desperate for something to watch.
My score is 3/10.