Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension Film Review (5/10)

I am a big movie fan and am always up for something different, so when my girlfriend asked if I wanted to see the new Paranormal Activity I was up for it. I will be honest I have never seen any of the Paranormal Activity films, so I was expecting something weird and in that regard I was not disappointed.

*WARNING MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD*

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension continues the popular found footage horror franchise and tries (or rather fails) to wrap up all the plot lines brought up through this six film franchise.

Paranormal Activity is directed by Gregory Plotkin and stars Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw, Dan Gill, Ivy George and Olivia Taylor Dudley.

The film focuses on a young couple Ryan and Emily Fleege in December of 2013 as they are about to celebrate Christmas in their new home with their daughter Leila. Ryan’s brother Mike decides to stay with his brother after his girlfriend dumps him much to Emily’s chagrin and he is pretty much the comic relief of the film. Emily’s friend Skylar is also spending time with Ryan and Emily and helps take care of their daughter Leila. Skylar notices that Leila starts talking to an imaginary friend she calls “Toby,” and at first Skylar thinks nothing of it and just thinks Leila is just having some fun, that is until strange things start happening to Leila and the rest of the family.

Quick side-note, if you are unfamiliar with the basic premise of the Paranormal Activity films, there is always some strange things that start happening to a family and because this is a found footage film, we are watching the events of something that has already transpired. In order to capture weird happenings, a character (sometimes more than one) decide to set up cameras in hopes of catching these strange happenings. Okay end of side-note.

Mike and Ryan are setting up Christmas decorations and discover an old VHS camcorder from the 1980’s. Ryan decides to document his family’s Christmas and notices some weird ripples in the air that can only be captured through the camcorder. Mike also finds a bunch of VHS tapes that go along with the camcorder. Meanwhile Leila is becoming reserved and detached from her family something Ryan and Emily attribute to her communicating with her imaginary friend “Toby.” Ryan decides to set up cameras around his house after having a few unexplained encounters with this unseen force.

I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice to say this movie was disappointing to say the least. First of all, the film did not wrap up much of the plot-lines introduced throughout this six film franchise (I read the summaries of all the previous movies). *Possible Spoiler *Katie (who is the main antagonist of the film franchise doesn’t even make an appearance, she is mentioned by Ryan and Emily and you see her as a young girl after the ending of Paranormal Activity 3) which in my mind is a huge missed opportunity.

This film relied on jump scares and the movie poster seemed to tease “For the first time, you will see the activity,” something that wasn’t all that great to be honest. Some times it’s better not seeing the threat, it adds to the scare factor.

The acting in the film was pretty run of the mill and considering these films, I wasn’t too surprised. For a film franchise like this, I was expecting the creators to push the envelope and bring something new to the horror franchise. This film seemed so formulaic, not to say it wasn’t entertaining. The Ghost Dimension was entertaining, but failed to end the franchise in a satisfying way, and hopefully they make one last film to wrap up these storylines!

The mythology behind these films is interesting and there is a lot to work with and it feels like a waste to not explore that more.

I should also add I saw this film in 3D, and this movie was not necessary in 3D, the 3D effect was not used to great effect and felt like a waste.

This movie is not worthy of your $12, I would highly recommend just waiting to see this on DVD or renting it. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension is an average horror film and is something you can wait to watch at home, save your money people!

MY FINAL RATING IS A 5/10!

What I liked:

The film tying into past films in the franchise, even though that only went so far.

The daughter Leila, slowly becoming detached from her family, it was pretty freaky at times. 

The parts where Leila would talk to “Toby” and you couldn’t see anything, it was pretty unsettling and freaky.

The effect used to show Ryan capturing The Ghost Dimension on the camcorder, it was interesting.

What I disliked:

So many questions left unanswered.

The ending, it’s so open-ended, especially considering this is supposed to be the final film in the franchise.

The main villains motives were not clear and after six movies that’s pretty frustrating.

What say you? Did you see The Ghost Dimension? Have you seen any Paranormal Activity films? Do you like horror films? Whatever your thoughts let me know!