After having genuinely loved the first film, I’ve grown a bit tired of the Paranormal Activity series, but audiences clearly haven’t with the last film racking up $200 million at the worldwide box office. So it’s no surprise another fall comes and with it brings a new entry into the series. Catfish helmers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman have returned and after featuring a teaser, a new theatrical trailer has arrived which gives us the added fright of Xbox Kinect.
It all looks a bit silly and perhaps my presumption is correct, as a work-in-progress has screened at Fantastic Fest last night. I know these filmmakers work on a tight production schedule, but its a bit wild the film lands in just three weeks and some comments say its still in rough shape, technically speaking. /Film did a great job rounding up some impressions from the screening and I added a few more, which can be seen below after the trailer.
Paranormal 4 is a lot of smart set pieces in search of a compelling ending.
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) September 27, 2012
Seems I’m one of the few who appreciated PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4. It’s clearly rough, but some good ideas and fine interplay. It’ll get better
— PeterSHall (@PeterSHall) September 27, 2012
I’d be shocked if the final cut of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 doesn’t have big changes. It’s very much so a workprint.
— PeterSHall (@PeterSHall) September 27, 2012
PA4 doesn’t work. At all. Work print aside, it’s boring, silly and does NOTHING for the mythology. Disappointed after the awesome PA3
— timbuel (@timbuel) September 27, 2012
Withholding true judgement until final cut but that PA4 work print was not pleasing to me. :(
— timbuel (@timbuel) September 27, 2012
PARANORMAL 4 is the most legit funny installment, and strangely the most violent. Last third feels incomplete but maybe it is – we saw a WIP
— John Gholson (@gholson) September 27, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 is sadly just a repeat of Part 2. I liked part 3 because it pushed the mythology into new places. PA4 is dog paddling.
— Aaron Morgan (@Aaron_Morgan) September 27, 2012
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 goes down like mild picante. Weak. Sauce. #FF2012
— Trevor T. Trujillo (@TrevorTrujillo) September 27, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 is the Anti-Cloud Atlas.
— Paul_Gandersman (@Paul_Gandersman) September 27, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 as a WIP is already an improvement over PA3. Love that these movies built almost completely on tension are hits.
— Alex Spivey (@alexspivey) September 27, 2012
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 was a lot more fun that I thought it’d be. Wondering if that’s because I’d only seen the first before this.
— Tyler(@meliorism) September 27, 2012
Just out of paranormal activity 4 work in progress print to end #fantasticfest Day 7. Lots of jump scares, fun & with new twists on story.
— Larry Richman (@larry411) September 27, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 has a nice homage to The Shining as well as Poltergeist. Plus there’s a cool cat. #FantasticFest
— Larry Richman (@larry411) September 27, 2012
@tweetyourscream Just saw Paranormal 4 at #FantasticFest and it was a blast. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
— Stephen Sosa (@stephensosa) September 27, 2012
If you didn’t already think so, believe me now. The Paranormal Activity series has jumped the shark.
— Movie Dude (@scottmshack) September 27, 2012
I know you’re expecting some clever PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 tweet. Is it ok if I just say I liked it and it was fun? @paramountpics #ff2012
— Fred Topel (@FredTopel) September 27, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 is very fun with some new tricks (XBOX!) But the mythology and connection to previous films is a mess #FF2012
— Jimmy Weber (@JimmyTheGhost) September 27, 2012
Paranormal Activity 4 arrives on October 19th.