PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

Paramount Picture
Directed by: Oren Peli
Starring by: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat

First time I see the title, I thought this movie is something like ghost hunter, or TV’s serial in Indonesia like Kismis or Uka-uka. But then my brother told me that this movie is good. He said that this movie inspired base on the true story and that this movie is so scary. So I bought the film because its period on cinema 21 already finished watching it there.

Begun with young couple Katie and Micah (using their own name), who move to a new house on the neighborhood. Not only got a new house but also a new video camera, which made me think that this Micah guy could be some new rock star, who already blown the market with his new album, because he’s got nothing to do beside playing guitar all day he he.

His camera is the subject of all matters; Micah used it to tape the entire act on this movie. The camera is so important so Micah should grab it first when he heard his wife Katie yelling from bathroom. The scene is ridiculous, not just about cockroach for the reason Katie’s been yelling at – not ghost – but why he choose the camera instead run to Katie’s place for a rush.

This couple is haunted by spiritual creature on their new house. Like any other ghost movie, Paranormal Activity toward the ghost slowly. The frequent increase smoothly and the time it shown picks bedtime as a company. But I like this movie as the role goes; when I found out different angle and trick they’ve used to scary the audience. Tumbling steps, slamming door, shadow flash, blanket that move by unseen hand, and for the top idea your wife stand next to the bed and starred at you for about almost three hours, doing nothing…just stare…and that’s creepy man…

Horror doctrine told you that you should keep away from stranger or antagonist and mingle with friends, but you never know when protagonist turn to be antagonist and someone you know are not made you save but could harm you with odd. I like the idea, and true...sometimes, people that you know can scurry you most... especially your wife when she do something like Katie’s did.

Paranormal Activity was some movie that doesn’t need too much of ghost appearances or gloomy music to built the awkward atmosphere. 

Somehow, I enjoy about how this film establish the suspense by emerging the ghost on the last place…like give the best for last…and put the question of the mystery on Katie’s background and the stupidity of a man when they facing something that couldn’t be seen.

Man is a creature who always proud with their logic, they always think and see something with logic but my friend, he work for SAR (Search and Rescue) team, told me once that man could think illogical on certain condition. 

For example, man will think illogic when girl ask about their capability to choose direction on the wood, or when they are facing unknown location in the dark. Everything that spoils their ego will make man turn stupid. And like Micah, he was totally idiot when he thinks Ouija board could solve their demon’s problem.

I know Ouija board… because I’ve seen my friend play with that thing… and how they are haunted by the spirit that come from the invitation because we forgot to enclose the deal spell. 

Jisss… and guys…don’t ever think that you can solve the demonic problems with that thing, unless you’re to mad and choose a side with the demon itself.

And the story are good, my guess that the house are haunted are false. In fact, it was amaze that Katie brings the ghost on that house. She’s been followed by it, the shadow of her past, and no matter where she run it always haunted her down. There’s no escape for her.

 The thrill that the ghost tries to possessed Katie was so immerse, the scene when Katie throwing down to the floor and drag outside the bedroom also fools me to think that the ghost are the opposites. But the ending of the movie made the entire story clear. The ghost win Katie’s figure. And how Micah thrown to the camera… for me is the best ending ever…

From the beginning to end, I was stunned…there’s no space for me to critize the story because I want to know what next. The story is simple, the look is simple, the effect is simple, but the simplicity is not the barrier for a damn good movie like these one reach the box office. 

And don’t forget, this movie are not using popular artist. Comparing to Avatar, I think Paranormal Activity is a movie that most Producer love. Low budget but high profit…