Movie Review: Paranormal Activity 3

Talk about flogging a dead spirit. The Paranormal Activity series has quickly become something of a sleeper hit in the field of modern horror films, which has been lacking of late in anything resembling originality.

Even the premise of the original Paranormal Activity films was nothing really new - the effects of demon possession captured for all to see on a suburban family's in-house security camera footage. But the difference is that it was done well - although there was almost nothing new in it, there was no arguing that the nocturnal camera footage of a silent and still average family home was undeniably creepy. And then, when things began to turn pear-shaped, and the silence was suddenly shattered, the "jump-in-your-seat" moments were custom-built to make the most of the modern cinema experience.

Because of this, the Paranormal Activity films have always suffered in translation to DVD and television screens.

Paranormal Activity 3 has plenty of creepy moments, and plenty of sudden frights designed to get the blood pumping.

But after about 180 minutes of this in the previous two films, there's not enough new material here to justify another sequel - or, more accurately, prequel.

Plot-wise, the film concerns young sisters Katie and Kristi, who befriend an invisible entity they discover in their home.

To say more would be to give away any last shred of suspense, but you can probably guess where it's heading.

Yes, there are suspenseful moments. Yes, there are times when you will jump, or will find something really interesting on the floor to look at.

But the Paranormal Activity series has finally become a victim of the very characteristics that made it so popular in the first place.

The time has come to let sleeping demons lie.

Paranormal Activity 3

(M), 120 minutes

Stars: 2/5