Is "Paranormal Activity 3" worth the money?

I have always loved horror flicks. It's the suspense... it's the "edge of your sit" action (or possibly the literal sinking in your seat)... and it's the fear that is caused to keep the viewer especially engrossed.

I remember seeing the first "Paranormal Activity" on my laptop, in my dorm room with the light on, and yet, I still jumped occasionally at scenes that especially caught me off guard. When "Paranormal Activity 2" was released in theaters, I made sure that I bought my ticket that same weekend. I was indeed satisfied.

"Paranormal Activity 3" poster ||
Courtesy of thereelbits.com

On Friday, October 21, "Paranormal Activity 3" brought viewers back to 1988 and into the young lives of Katie (Katie Featherson) played by Chloe Csengery and Kristi Rey (Sprague Grayden) played by Jessica Tyler Brown, in order to fully understand why the strange, supernatural happenings were occurring in their adult lives, in parts 1 and 2. Their mother's stepfather, Dennis (Christopher Nicholas Smith), sets up video cameras around the house, while Julie remains a skeptic. Viewers realize that Kristi's "imaginary friend," Toby, may be the root of this entire problem. We are then able to finally link the installments together after gaining the history needed.

"Paranormal Activity 3" provides the suspense, the mini-jumps every good horror flick provides and even the laughs from time to time (Because, let's be honest, when surrounded by fellow movie-goers it's easy to find the humor in certain occurrences). Young Actresses Csengery and Brown bring the vivacity the film needs and truly help to intensify those especially scary scenes. Honestly, I don't remember jumping so much during a horror film (because I usually can tell what's coming) but I was sure impressed by the intense scary scenes! The movie did not disappoint--well, until the end, that is.

The conclusion, by far, was disappointing and, without giving too much away, left room for just a bit more answers... and even questions of a possible fourth installment. It ended too bluntly for my taste (and for the many groaning viewers in the theater with me, in fact!) A good film allows for one to fill in the gaps, but this gap was just a little too wide.

Overall, Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman did an excellent job in grabbing the majority of viewers' attention throughout the entire movie, with the frightful, yet realistic, scenes and sound to draw viewers in. The joy of walking away satisfied at a movie actually worth watching? Maybe just the minority.