Personal film review: Paranormal Activity 3

Film Title: Paranormal Activity 3

Year of production: 2011

Director(s): Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Genre: Horror

Brief Plot Outline:

In 1988, there are two young sisters called Katie and Kristi. Kristi befriends an invisible entity called Toby who resides in their family home. Dennis starts to notice paranormal activity occurring in their house so he tries to catch the occurrences on camera. Toby the entity feeds off the fear of the family and the more frightened the family gets the worse and more aggressive Toby becomes towards them.

Which two scenes impressed you the most? Why?

1) Dennis attaches his camera to the base of an electric fan so that it rotates and it can watch the kitchen and then can rotate until the front door and living room are in sight. The mother Katie hears a knock on the front door so she goes to see who is there. The camera is focusing on the kitchen at this time and everything appears normal, the camera then rotates to the front door where Katie opens it and no one is there. At this moment Katie suspects nothing of it as she believes no paranormal activity is taking place in the house. But then the camera follows her back into the kitchen and for a split second you notice something is different, this is unsettling due to restricted narration – we don’t know why things have changed. Then suddenly and unexpectedly, all the furniture that was in the kitchen before, smashes to the floor from the ceiling. The increased amplification of the falling furniture really makes you jump as it isn’t expected.
2) Near the end of the film Toby attacks Dennis and he is lying hurt on the floor and then suddenly Toby breaks his spine whilst the other characters stand and watch. This use of body horror is very effective and the increased amplification of the cracking noise of his spine makes the audience shudder. The fact that the other characters stand and watch creates a twist in the narrative and it makes you think and question what has happened.

How has watching this film helped you understand this genre of filmmaking? Which features on the genre checklist did you spot in the film? When? How?

This film differs from the stereotypical horror movie but there are still many generic features in it.

Character and Representation

Psycho killer/Quick monster – Toby: He is an entity but can physically attack people and kills Dennis. He is quick moving and cannot be seen.

Mise-en-Scene

Enclosed location: The family home feels like an enclosed location as the family is basically trapped inside and Toby is in control.
Gore (Body Horror): When Toby breaks and twists Dennis’s spine, the increased amplification of Dennis’s spine breaking is very effective.

Editing

Slow editing: In the scenes building up to paranormal activity which is mainly during the night slow editing is used
Fast paced montage editing: Used In the scene with Katie and Kristi in the bathroom. They sing bloody Mary and then the entity attacks.

Themes

Loneliness and isolation: Toby could be seen as lonely as he is the only entity; he also makes friends with Kristi and is protective over her
Violence and fear of death of family: There is violence throughout the film but especially in the last 15 minutes when Dennis is brutally killed.

Which aspects of the film would you like to INCLUDE in your own trailer? Why?

I would like to use the jumpiness aspect of the film as I think it works very well and shocks the audience. This is achieved through a clever use of collision cutting, slow – sudden quickness, this is what makes the audience jump. Also I like the fact that everything in the film is recorded with Dennis’ cameras, this makes the film seem more real and not fake.

Which aspects of the film would you like to AVOID in your own trailer? Why?
There is a lot of time in the movie where nothing really happens so it can be a bit boring for the viewer. Also there is no parallel music to create suspense and in my trailer I think music is important to use, to ensure the audience respond with the correct emotions.

What was the best aspect/ more enjoyable moment in the film? Why?
Can you recreate this in your own film? How?

The best aspect in the film was the amount of jumpy moments throughout. Especially in the last 15 minutes of the movie where most of the narrative is made clear and when Dennis dies. I can achieve this jumpy aspect in my trailer by using low key lighting (hiding stuff in shadows) and collision cutting. These two combined and used effectively can create a very scary and jumpy scene.