DVD review: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

Back in 2007 the first Paranormal Activity came out to some critical acclaim, and significant box-office success. It was creepy, edgy and provided more questions than answers.

Since then the franchise has been on a roller coaster trip through some seriously ropey movies, each moving the story a little further forward.

The Ghost Dimension picks up the tale with a new family all set to be haunted by long term antagonist, the demonic Toby.

Like the families in past episodes, this one features a camera-obsessed weirdo determined to capture every moment of life on video. Ryan Fleege, played by Chris J.Murray, is the guy in question and he’s delighted when he finds a creepy old camera which can see spectral shapes.

While he moons about the place with his new toy his six-year-old daughter Leila (Ivy George) has other things to occupy her, a new friend called Toby. Cue 88 minutes of vaguely creepy stuff and generally idiotic behaviour as the family are assaulted by the evil force.

Overall it’s a pretty terrible affair. As with earlier Paranormal Activity films, much of the movie is spent looking at empty rooms in which not a lot is happening. Where this once built suspense, it now encourages boredom.

When things actually start to go bump in the night it doesn’t get much better. One-by-one every character on the screen shows themselves to be an exquisitely crafted moron.

It’s not helped by the 
mess of a story which promised to answer some questions but is deeply unsatisfying. It was always going to be difficult to tie up the loose ends of Paranormal Activity, the series is more frayed than the Gordian Knot after Alexander the Great got through with it.

The first Paranormal Activity was a welcome shot in the arm for the found-footage horror genre. We can only hope that now it is over no-one tries to resurrect it from the grave.