"Paranormal Activity 2" plays very much like the original blockbuster, sharing its rustic backdrop and jerky hand held home video style of capture. They have used unknown actors to retain the same flavor as Paranormal. The so called sequel is set in the days just preceding, and then the hours overlapping with the first Paronormal
The follow-up unfolds in the Carlsbad residence of Kristie and Daniel Rey, Katie's (the heroine in the original blockbuster) sister and brother-in-law. The couple have a newborn son Hunter. The young couple suspects that their house is haunted by a malevolent entity. They set up video surveillance to capture evidence of what happens at night as they sleep. The recorded video shows their German shepherd, teenage daughter and nanny are no match for whatever is causing the midnight commotion.
"Paranormal Activity 2" was made for a budget of $3 million which seems like a fortune when compared to the original film’s budget of $15,000. Like the first movie, it does not use complicated technology. Instead it uses our hidden fear of things lurking in the dark, when innocent things start looking threatening and the pool filtering system starts slithering like a snake. The money spent on it seems to have gone into amplifying the sound effects and the intense sense of claustrophobia.
However, the film has presented a unique marketing challenge for Paramount. The first film was a hit with the only advertisement being by word of mouth. The initial shows were shown at midnight in a few small cities. For the sequel, Paramount is releasing it simultaneously across the country at once.
"Paranormal 2," is expected to be very profitable for Paramount. It will run its first shows at midnight Thursday night. The movie has not been screened for the critics.
