Read Mixed User Reviews for Paranormal Activity 3

5

NikoZguri1997Jan 3, 2013

Okay, so normally i liked the first 2 Paranormal Activity movies. A bit boring, but still pretty great horror movies. Now, we got Paranormal Activity 3. It follows the story of Katie and Kristi when they were kids and how did the demon firstOkay, so normally i liked the first 2 Paranormal Activity movies. A bit boring, but still pretty great horror movies. Now, we got Paranormal Activity 3. It follows the story of Katie and Kristi when they were kids and how did the demon first started terrorizing them. Plot's pretty predictable, the acting was fine but i expected more. The one and big problem for it is that there's a lotta cool and scary moments in the trailer, but they're NOT actually in the movie. I saw the movie and i was like "Where are the best parts from the trailer? This kinda feels really boring!" That's the number 1 fail in this movie, that's the thing that totally let the movie down. And what's weird is that after the movie was done, i went home and slept like a baby. Seriously, this time it felt less scary and more boring than the other movies. So, overall the acting was fine, but they should've put the best parts from the trailer in the movie to make it less boring and more exciting and creepy. But, they didn't, and that totally sucks. Paranormal Activity 3, it's alright but you'll forget it in 2 hours. That's what happen, i went home and in 2 hours, i couldn't remember it at all. So, if you wanna see it, then go ahead. But if you wanna see good found-footage horror movie, then save your money and skip this.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

FilmMasterEdJan 5, 2016

Is this really the best scare flick Hollywood could come up for Halloween? A second sequel to a surprise cheapie hit in 2009? Seriously? Oh wait, Paranormal Activity 3 is a prequel. I'm sorry. It's 1988. And the sisters, Katie (KatieIs this really the best scare flick Hollywood could come up for Halloween? A second sequel to a surprise cheapie hit in 2009? Seriously? Oh wait, Paranormal Activity 3 is a prequel. I'm sorry. It's 1988. And the sisters, Katie (Katie Featherston in PA1) and Kristi (Sprague Grayden in PA2), are just pre-teeners, played respectively by Chloe Csengery and Jessica Tyler Brown. Kristi talks a lot to Toby, her "imaginary" friend. Mom Julie (Lauren Bittner) is concerned, but stepdad Dennis (Chris Smith) is a wedding videographer so he knows how to set up cameras around their SoCal house to catch any mischievous ghosts in action. If you can't fill in the rest of the plot, you haven't seen the first Paranormal Activity or any movie at all. PA3 is shoddy goods with any hint of orginality sucked out of it. Have something pop out in the dark. Wait for a scream. Then drag out the next surprise for an eternity. Repeat cycle. I expected better from directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, who scored so high with Catfish last year. But one of their gimmicks is a doozy: Stepdad straps one camera to a slowly moving fan, which will have audiences craning their necks while producing a meager payoff. I fully expect Paranormal Activity 3 to be box office gold. But it's barely worth two stars, let alone two cents. As for future followups, I offer this plea: STOP!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

FilipeNetoFeb 11, 2020

This film followed the success of the first two and works as a prequel to both. However, I felt it was much weaker, as the recipe that made success at first is already worn out.

The script takes up the story of sisters Katie and Kristi butThis film followed the success of the first two and works as a prequel to both. However, I felt it was much weaker, as the recipe that made success at first is already worn out.

The script takes up the story of sisters Katie and Kristi but goes back to their childhood to give us an understanding of the source of the problem they both had with evil entities. Child actresses are good enough for what they are asked to do. Katie Featherston is just as good as in the first two films, but only enters in the initial scenes. Lauren Bittner is never as good or convincing as she was and Christopher Smith never shows talent because he plays an idiot, who acts in a seemingly random way. Interestingly, both he and his daughters' future husbands share the same strange fetish for home camcorders.

As in the first film, there are no initial credits and the final credits have been reduced to what is required by law. There is also no soundtrack and most of the filming was done with a handheld camera or amateur cameras on tripods. The focus on making the film seemingly genuine remains and works. However, there is little new or different in this film, other than explaining the first two. Special effects are much more imaginative and lose some credibility, creating situations of illogic. The film is very slow and there are a lot of dead moments that seemed unnecessary. The first half of the film, in particular, is slow, tiring and has little to give us that is interesting. The ending is a little imaginative.

After two good films, the third film in this franchise turned out to be much weaker, in part by betting on giving us more of the same and by abandoning improvisation in favor of more elaborate scenes and scares and, therefore, much less credible. . It is a pity.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

IAmPhongNguyenOct 24, 2011

Paranormal Activity 3 is somewhat bit of a letdown but the last fifteen minutes of the film actually did leave me shaking. It's what we've seen from the past two films but in different scenes. Better than the first? Hell no. Better than theParanormal Activity 3 is somewhat bit of a letdown but the last fifteen minutes of the film actually did leave me shaking. It's what we've seen from the past two films but in different scenes. Better than the first? Hell no. Better than the second? Probably not. Is it worth it? Yes.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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6

MarcDoyleOct 21, 2011

Before I get to the substance of my review, I have to describe a fairly shocking incident that occurred in my theater just a little while ago - the first Thursday night, 10pm showing in Santa Monica. And this no B.S. About 30 minutes intoBefore I get to the substance of my review, I have to describe a fairly shocking incident that occurred in my theater just a little while ago - the first Thursday night, 10pm showing in Santa Monica. And this no B.S. About 30 minutes into the film, just after the subtitles read "Night 13", a young guy sitting 2 rows in front of me started groaning/yelling. He was in a group of six - looked like a triple date - and they had been fairly squirrely up to that point, so I assumed he was just playing up the tension as people are prone to do in horror movies - testing each other and themselves. I suppose it's easier to laugh than to give in to the fear. Turns out it was the onset of a full-blown seizure. People started bounding over rows to help the guy brace himself and the lights came up - he didn't stop shaking for about a minute. He apparently had no history of seizures - which is what he told the firemen after he came to. His friends were blown away, and the packed out theater couldn't believe it. Could the tension from the film have caused or contribute to it? I have no idea. The firemen were asking a lot of questions about drug use - the friends were confident in ruling it out. (Personally, he didn't seem like the type, but what do I know?) It made the rest of the film a little creepier knowing it could have a physical effect on someone... So after a 20 minute break in the action, they started the film again (and gave us all free tickets for another show). There was some good-natured daring of each other to sit in that kid's seat for the rest of the movie - no takers. So, was the movie as good as the first two? I'd say no, but it certainly was able to construct an entirely new sort of tension. The late-80s VHS feel to the thing was refreshing My heart was racing for most of the last 15 minutes or so. I'd give the "experience" of the evening about a 9, but the movie? About a 6.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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5

TheMudDoctorOct 22, 2011

The first film was a surprise hit that used old-fashioned horror minimalism to terrify the audience, but by now any originality that the premise originally possessed has been milked out by Hollywood producers with dollar signs in their eyes.The first film was a surprise hit that used old-fashioned horror minimalism to terrify the audience, but by now any originality that the premise originally possessed has been milked out by Hollywood producers with dollar signs in their eyes. Read the full review at: http://themuddoctor.blogspot.com/2011/10/paranormal-activity-3.html… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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4

dougreesOct 28, 2011

This was a cut above the standard horror flick in many ways, despite the inconsistencies of the whole "caught on camera" trope, done best, and as it should have been in hindsight, last, by the still stunning BLAIR WITCH PROJECT; acting of aThis was a cut above the standard horror flick in many ways, despite the inconsistencies of the whole "caught on camera" trope, done best, and as it should have been in hindsight, last, by the still stunning BLAIR WITCH PROJECT; acting of a very high order for this kind of movie, and then it all turns remarkably dumb, and of course, ends even dumber. I'd give the first 80% of this movie a 6, and the ending a 0.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

Knicksfan7Oct 25, 2011

I had an original review saying how scary and good this movie was so i hope this one wipes that out because now that i think of it and ive watched the trailer again, im suddenly frustrated and pissed. Where was the paranormal guy who gets hisI had an original review saying how scary and good this movie was so i hope this one wipes that out because now that i think of it and ive watched the trailer again, im suddenly frustrated and pissed. Where was the paranormal guy who gets his head slammed on the table? Wneres the girls playing bloody mary? Where christie jumping off the ledge ofher bedroom? Wheres the house fire? Wheres the mom getting pulled back into the bedroom? Wheres christie splashing toby with water? Ive just listed 6 of the best scenes from the trailer that werent even in the film! Theyve cut off most of the movie and the best parts. This is very frustrating and annoying, this movie couldve been a thousand times better. There was yet another abrupt ending that made no sense. Seems as thoughtheres alot of plot holes. They didnt explain very much of what katy and christie said in the first 2 movies. I dont know why but i was pretty scared throughout this movie but im bery confused and frustrated now that i think of all of the disappointments. Very frustrating but if you want cheap thrills then go ahead and see it but yu will be frustrated if you think about it. 4/10… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

B3ckettJan 30, 2012

I must say. It was a challenge to make a new & refreshing formula boring at the end of its third installment. While the first sequel covered some new ground, the third does nothing new. I admit it, I was curious about the way all of thisI must say. It was a challenge to make a new & refreshing formula boring at the end of its third installment. While the first sequel covered some new ground, the third does nothing new. I admit it, I was curious about the way all of this started. The problem I have with PE3 is that it focused on the same plain dumb moments during the movie, when they stop watching the footage and argue (watch it! no! it's stupid, there's nothing to talk about. there are no ghost. stop the cameras!).
Doing that once is okay - people are people and I can understand such behavior. But 3 times in a row? Please...

The actors do their job well, the visuals are on par, but the story doesn't catch up. As stated before, the whole explanation (if you could call it that) took no more than a minute and was really shallow. I guess now we can expect part 4, which will concentrate on the actions from the movies finale.

To wrap things up - if you are new to the series, give it a shot. It would be actually easier to watch the trilogy from the end. If you've seen the first two movies, you'll probably end up dissapointed with the movie and plot as a whole. There are some moments worth seeing. It's just a bit sad, that they don't get enough attention from the plot.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

LehnsherrNov 8, 2011

I went to see this movie, expecting it to be wonderful. I was let down. I loved the first one, and the second really raised the bar. This installment fell short of that mark. The last film actually answered some questions and thenI went to see this movie, expecting it to be wonderful. I was let down. I loved the first one, and the second really raised the bar. This installment fell short of that mark. The last film actually answered some questions and then presented some new ones. This movie really didn't answer any questions, only presented more. It implored some good scare tactics, and at points it's scary as hell, but not as good as the first two. I feel that this movie is still worth a watch, especially for the fans of the series, but wait and rent it at a Redbox. It's not at all worth the price of admission.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

Tss5078Feb 22, 2013

Paranormal Activity started the phenomenon of films that are shot on camcorder. At the time, it was considered to be revolutionary, but at this point it's getting a little old. How many of these camcorder films have actually been successful?Paranormal Activity started the phenomenon of films that are shot on camcorder. At the time, it was considered to be revolutionary, but at this point it's getting a little old. How many of these camcorder films have actually been successful? ...and don't you get just the slightest bit nauseated by the constant movement of the camera? I guess that's for you to decide, back to the film. In the third installment of Paranormal Activity, we learn what happened to Katie and her sister when they were little. To be honest with you, I was pretty into this film until the last twenty minutes or so. Without spoiling it for ya, lets just say the story takes a dramatic turn away from the storyline. The result of this is that the overall story isn't as creepy and really doesn't make as much sense as it should. Paranormal Activity was never that scary to begin with, the film plays on the audience by having things suddenly jump out at them, but the story itself has gotten far less creepier as the series has gone on. Part 3 and 4 do have different writer/directors and that may be part of the problem. The first one freaked me out, the second one was a little slow, but also did the trick, and this one really didn't scare me. They relied much more on making the audience jump than they did on scaring them with the actual story. Number three didn't stick with me for days afterward, the way one and two did. As for the cast, they were all newcomers and the little girls were absolutely terrific! This series has a way of finding newcomers who seem like they've been acting for decades. Paranormal Activity 3 is good for a few cheap jumps and laughs, but the ending was really disappointing, leading me to think less of this film than I do of the other two.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

Compi24Nov 28, 2012

Some pretty legitimate scares within the film, but the movie's horrible ending ultimately mars my enjoyment a bit.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

kingshahidOct 21, 2011

The movie kept you in suspense. Watching it in the theaters is the only way to enjoy this movie. Now basing it on experience in a theater and having an great night out with my wife watching this suspenseful comedy movie (because it is nothingThe movie kept you in suspense. Watching it in the theaters is the only way to enjoy this movie. Now basing it on experience in a theater and having an great night out with my wife watching this suspenseful comedy movie (because it is nothing more than comedy) I give it a 10 for the heartbeats it delivers. As for the movie itself if I was to watch it at home (like I did with Paranormal Activity 1), it will bore you to tears and make you want to die from boredom which may be then considered paranormal on the part of others speculating the cause of your death.This movie was much better than the first one though.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

VidsRuleFeb 28, 2012

I just don't see why this should be worth my 5-6 bucks. But... somehow I enjoy it. I just don't think this genre can get any better than this. And this ain't anything great. This is one of the few scary movies I've watched by myself at 2 AMI just don't see why this should be worth my 5-6 bucks. But... somehow I enjoy it. I just don't think this genre can get any better than this. And this ain't anything great. This is one of the few scary movies I've watched by myself at 2 AM (I'm 34 by the way) that didn't scare me. Well it did at times, but I didn't feel the dread I shoul feel during a scary movie. Okay it's worth the 5-6 bucks, but you won't be sleeping with your parents after this one (what?).… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

Thomas21Nov 3, 2012

I liked watching the first 2 movies, but this movie was just overdone. The action in this movie isn't near as thrilling and unexpected as in it's predecessors. Just a good idea went to waste by a production made with some more money but lessI liked watching the first 2 movies, but this movie was just overdone. The action in this movie isn't near as thrilling and unexpected as in it's predecessors. Just a good idea went to waste by a production made with some more money but less thought in it. A shame because I liked the other movies… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

josephbalentineDec 5, 2011

It was kind of hard to follow this movie but it was only made for a god scare. The worst part of this movie is the ending and the way they tried to make it look more real by having cropping issues. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN IF YOU HAVE WATCHED IT>

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

rafael14Apr 14, 2012

It's a good movie, but the end is not good, but the whole movie was good, and this movie is the best of the two others movies about Paranormal Activity

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

CincinnatiDaveNov 5, 2011

I'm really not sure what came over me, but I decided to go see this movie...I HATE horror and scary movies...HATE them! I just don't get why anyone "likes" to see them. With that said, I paid, I sat in the theatre with my fingers partiallyI'm really not sure what came over me, but I decided to go see this movie...I HATE horror and scary movies...HATE them! I just don't get why anyone "likes" to see them. With that said, I paid, I sat in the theatre with my fingers partially covering my eyes (as if that would help ease the pain), I had the &%*#@^ scared out of me, and I REALLY enjoyed the movie!… Expand

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5

eTurkeyMar 3, 2012

Not as commendable as the original but better than the second film. All in all, the third installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise is a mixed bag. Much like the previous two films this movie is no different as it gradually builds upNot as commendable as the original but better than the second film. All in all, the third installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise is a mixed bag. Much like the previous two films this movie is no different as it gradually builds up the terror and suspense as it progresses. While it does have a slow start it really climaxes in a frightful ending which leaves you scratching your head in astonishment. While most horror series begin to drift off into absurdity territory by the time a trilogy is completed these flicks show no sign of slowing down.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

a7xfanMar 6, 2012

Not a bad movie but not a good one either. The Paranormal Activity franchise is slowly but surely becoming the highest-grossing horror franchise ever and because of that I thought it would be a little better. There is basically no script andNot a bad movie but not a good one either. The Paranormal Activity franchise is slowly but surely becoming the highest-grossing horror franchise ever and because of that I thought it would be a little better. There is basically no script and the effects weren't that great. This is definitely a movie that will keep wondering when something will just come out of nowhere but you really must not worry about it for every 20 minutes. This a movie you definitely rent… Expand