Paranormal Activity 4 is the latest in a worn out franchise where we are provided with yet another segment of the never-ending tale of Katie and Hunter. The fourth instalment focuses on the life of Alex. Aged 15, she becomes curious of this weird child (Robbie) that lives across the street due to his unusual behaviour. After a fatal accident, Robbie is forced to live with Alex and her family and thus begins the start of all things paranormal.
The main issue surrounding Paranormal Activity 4 is the lack of disturbances which defined the franchise. In the previous encounters,chairs flying about and cupboards bursting open was a common experience. An audience who has devoted their time to reach a third sequel would surely expect the scare-o-meter to be notched up to a much more refined and higher standard. Nevertheless, if you have the patience to stay until the last 20 minutes, you’ll experience the height of Horror tension and certainly won’t catch any sleep for the next few nights.
The film was clearly produced to appeal to the youth. With constant references to the Xbox and its Kinect system, you get the sense that they are trying just a little too hard to be “with it”. Most of the found footage are through laptops placed in ideal locations around a classic American household which raises a high amount of questions regarding believability and continuity. Furthermore, the characters are fairly bland with hardly any development, leaving the viewing audience only caring for the two cute children tormented by the demonic presence.
Paranormal Activity 4 fails to live up to the high standards shown in 1 and 2. Partly because so much familiar ground is covered that the audience knows exactly what to anticipate. The ending yet again opens up a box full of unanswered questions, similar to the third in the series, ultimately leaving you with a complete confusion daze and apalm in your face.
