Iffy for 16+
Slightly more violent prequel connects the first two movies.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this movie is -- a prequel to both Paranormal Activity and Paranormal Activity 2 -- attempts to explain the events that led up to the terrors in those two movies. Like the others, it's told in fake documentary style, mostly via surveillance camera footage. The scary stuff is left largely to the imagination (and there's a near-constant sense of dread as a result), though this movie has a little more on-screen violence than the previous films did: An invisible force terrorizes two young girls, lifting one up by the hair and dragging her across the floor. Language is strong but not frequent and includes many uses of "f--k" and "s--t." A loving couple attempts to tape themselves having sex, though they only get as far as some foreplay, with clothes on. They also smoke pot.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence, both implied and shown. Which kind is more powerful? Why?
- How scary was the movie? What scared you most, and why?
- What would be the effect of constantly filming your life?
The good stuff
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Messages: In these movies, bad things can suddenly start happening to good people, simply because a past relative did something bad.
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Role models: Of the men in this series, Dennis is by far the most admirable. He really loves Julie and takes care of her daughters from a previous marriage as if they were his own. He's responsible and works hard to solve problems.
What to watch for
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Violence: There's perhaps slightly more violence in this movie than in the previous two; in a couple of scenes, an invisible force attacks a young girl, lifting her up by the hair or dragging her across the floor. An unseen force also snaps a character's spine. There's a teeny bit of blood (a scratch). Otherwise, the violence is mostly suggested, and the movie has an almost constant feeling of dread.
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Sex: An adult couple decides to videotape themselves having sex. They both wear T-shirts and underwear. They kiss and begin some foreplay, but they're interrupted. Also additional kissing and lots of "I love yous."
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Language: "F--k" is heard perhaps a dozen times, with "s--t" coming in a close second. "Oh my God" and "goddamn" are also used.
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Consumerism: A box of Rice Krispies is visible in one shot.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The grown-up couple smokes some pot and gets high; the mother mentions that it's illegal and that she doesn't want her daughters to know.
Fan Reviews provided by
2
Paranormal Activity review by Muvie Reviewer
I was never a fan of the film series. I find that the Paranormal Activity movies take way too long to scare the movie goer for a horror movie, but I went anyway with a fresh perspective cause my honey bunny wanted to see it.
Yikes, more of the same old except this time its their shortest movie of the three, 81 minutes long, (guess I should consider myself lucky).
At the start of the movie the director goes for some cheap lame scares like a jack in the box gag (that is just my example as I wont spoil it for the PA3 faithful). The best moments of the movie is at the end when the director really cranks up the tension, action and the story unfolds.
I would have rated this an 'Oh No' but there are a few good moments at the end, too bad that I had to sit through most of the movie in order to see it. For those who are not die hard PA fans and want to see this movie I recommend trying to see a matinee w/matinee prices as this movie is really not worth the $13.50 ticket price tag.
1
It was so scary that .... by NYCFilmMaker11
I had my eyes closed the entire time because I feel asleep. It bored me to death.. LOL. I finally woke up and caught the last two minutes of the ending. When I looked around me most of the people had left the movie theater, there were only a few of us left.
Never again PA, you tricked me 3 times. But NOT again, it was a very disappointing movie. Being a ghost hunter myself, I was really hoping to see some kind of PARANORMAL stuff besides the cheap scare tactics.
The movie is a low grade film not worth the money. Poor directing,acting,camera,lighting, editing...I'm just curious where did the director go to film school? Or maybe he didn't LOL.
PA is just a student film gone bad LOL.
1
Extremely Disappointed...Just Another Hyped up Movie :( by DaRookie2012
Sorry, I've seen better films like The Shining, The Exorcist, Amityville Horror and others. Those are classic movies with real scare tactics and suspense. Paranormal Activity does not cut it for me.
Honestly, I don't know why they even bother. This film insults the REAL film makers in the business.
All three Paranormal Activity films were boring. The camera work was not very good. They had a great concept but the story telling is horrible. I went to see this one because I was really hoping they would use another approach to story telling.
FYI - the entire audience were booing at the end. Hey Paramount, you guys FOOLED us again with all the media hype. I give you guys A+ on marketing but the movie itself is below a F-.
4
Good not great. by RCalhoun
I liked the first a lot and LOVED the second one. This one definitely has its moments. However, the payoff in this one isn't worth the build up. The ending sucks. Most of the good scenes from the previews are not even in the movie i.e. the girl jumping off the ledge, the priest getting his head bounced off the table, etc.... If you liked the others then you will probably like this one. Just don't get your hopes up too high.
1
Double OH NO!!! by Vonnie1964
I beg of you do NOT waste your time or money on this piece of trash. Several scenes that were in the trailer were not even in the film. Many people walked out, and I wish we had been among them. It was so painfully slow and just downright lame It actually angered me. Just a joke - and an extremely bad one at that. We will not subject ourselves to any more installments of this franchise... and I suggest you all do yourselves a favor and do the same!
3
Not as good as the first two. by Gigity
If you have already seen Paranormal Activity one and two don't expect this one to be better, because it is not. Don't get me wrong, it has it's moments but don't hold it to the high standerds of the first two because you will be disappointed. The end is very hoakey, and I never use that word. If there is nothing eles you would rather see, go see it, but don't have high expectations.
1
paranormal activity by Waters65
well they got me again ! After veiwing the first 2 installments of this movie I swore I would not get suckered into paying to see the 3rd, but the trailers got my interest, as they do so well and I though maybe just maybe it will be one of those rare times that the sequel is better,......................................NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!
1
Subnormal Junktivity by Zarnza
Well I really liked the first two so my expectations were pretty high for this one, boy was I disappointed. Ever walk out of a movie with your friend and agree that this was the worst movie either of you ever seen? Boring, tedious, not scary and a really bad ending give this film the absolute worst recommendation possible,
3
Not as good as I had hoped by charlesm1950
Locally, the Austin Chronicle gave this a good review but I was disappointed. I was more entertained by the audience reactions to the "boo!" and "gotcha" moments in the film than by the film itself.
1
What a waste... by Mofo_1906
I have tried to watch this series unsuccessfully and dont know why I tried it again. Never finished I didnt watch II and the only reason I attempted III is because it was Halloween. Same as all the others too much down time before anything happens. Then the action isnt that much action. Never AGAIN!