Christoper B. Landon
Paranormal Activity 5 - Il Segnato

LA RECENSIONE

I had always avoided the Paranormal Activity films. All of them. And they've made six. And there's a seventh in the works.

The reasons are pretty much twofold. I was a bit bothered by the genre. For instance: splatter doesn't faze me, but the connection to demonic supernatural elements gave me pause. Being introverted doesn't help.

Anyway: over time, this has improved a bit. So, after watching the 'The Conjuring' series with 'Annabelle' included, I said to myself: why are you still making excuses for this stuff that Argento, at the release of the first film, called a 'colossal joke'?

I won't spoil it, but come on, you know. Mockumentary, cameras, then night falls, pots and furniture topple, oh my what’s happening—call the priest. Or the sorcerer. Or we'll handle it ourselves.

The plot is what it is, it may or may not appeal, scare, entertain, or irritate.

I'm no exception. I've watched, dissected, with my own morals which, no, aren't narrow-minded, it's just lived experience which I won't bore you with here.

But: if the prelude (the first film), the two prequels, and the first sequel were 'meh', this fifth offering, 'The Marked', disturbed me.

Development, intentions, scenarios, and the epilogue uplifted and disturbed me, which hadn't exactly happened with the prior ones.

Yes; there's always the idiot with the camera, and if that component bothers you, then I advise you against it. Because it might irritate in the long run.

I, having indulged in mockumentaries for years, couldn't care less. I'm fine with it, period.

As I was saying, it got to me. Not in the sense of disappointment. I expected a sequel, albeit a parallel one, along the same lines. And maybe it is, but I perceived it with a mind not predisposed to it. New, or grimy, I don't know.

I’m not going to bother anyone: no comparisons, references, or citations. But I wanted to let those who dismiss the 'saga' know.

This deserves a bit of attention. From the distracted, the curious, even the prejudiced: give it a try, then let me know.