Cast: Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw, Ivy George
Director: Gregory Plotkin
What is your ideal horror movie watching surrounding? A near empty movie hall, night show and figures that appear to creep onto you aka 3D experience. Alas! 'Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension' fails to evoke the expected chills even in the above mentioned horror environment.
The sixth instalment of the famous 'found footage' horror franchise has been directed by Gregory Plotkin, who was earlier the editor of the previous films. The entire film is again based on taped footages and cameras around the house that detect demonic activities. 15 minutes into the film and you already start guessing the moments you would
hear a growl or see a black entity walking. Few might make you close your eyes a little, but rest will leave you underwhelmed.
The film opens with a scene left off from Paranormal Activity 3 with initiation process of Katie and Kristi. Then the movie proceeds with demon Toby, witch coven marks and the child of the house being brainwashed to let Toby walk the earth. Here, you just had the entire predictable plot summed up in less than three lines!
The first 3D film from the series, you expect that seeing a demonic figure in 3D might evoke some chills, but even that doesn't happen. The fear and anticipation that marked the success of the first film seems completely diluted in this one. Although the screenplay is rough and raw, there is a superficial, imposed link to the previous films that burdens the entire plot.
'Paranormal Activity' was a vision of Oren Peli, where he channelled his real fears into a film that made 'found footage' film making into a sub-genre altogether. It is not the anticipation and sudden occurrences between the silences, but the build-up to these occurrences that really bring chills down the spine, like in the classic 'Blair Witch Project'. In 'The Ghost Dimension' there is no build-up, everything feels rushed up, and you are left feeling cheated on you fears with 3D glasses on.
There is nothing new in the treatment of the film and thus makes the entire plot nearly predictable, a downfall for any horror film. When the makers announced that it'll be the end of the franchise, fans of the series expected some 'lingering effect' and a 'want of some more' from the last one, however this one fails badly on those parameters.
By the interval you already know the end and have lost all interest.
It feels that the makers wanted to conclude the series desperately and paid no attention on the plot or actors. The fear on Chris J. Murray face looks forced, Brit Shaw seems to have no interest is being scared and Ivy George was just shown previous films and told to imitate Katie!
'Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension' is rushed, repetitive film that has all the elements a horror film shouldn't. If being a fan of the franchise you were worried about the declining authenticity and horror quotient with each film, this one is going to disappoint you further. Definitely give it a skip.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5
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