Quick Look: Paranormal Activity 2

Paranormal Activity 2 is a prequel to Paranormal Activity, focusing on the weeks leading up to the events we witnessed in the first film, and more importantly that the "demon" has a history with this family.  The main characters in number 2 are Kristi Rey (Katie's sister) played by Sprague Grayden, Daniel Rey played by Brian Boland, and Ali Rey played by Molly Ephraim.  Katie and Micah from the first film are also in several scenes.  'R' rating is for language, and a brief scene of violence.  The film is presented as a "found footage" style horror film, the scenes being assembled from hand held video clips, and interior security camera recordings.  As a standalone (meaning you had not watched number 1) the film still works fine, because all plot elements are explained.  In that regard, it is a true prequel.
**spoiler alert**
The film opens with Kristi and Daniel bringing home their newborn son Hunter.  Ali is a young teenager, Daniel's daughter from his first marriage- his first wife is dead, but we are not given any history about that.  Like the first film, we see small "happenings" like lights coming on and off, or a door left open, but slowly escalating into loud sounds, objects being strewn about, and even a small fire occurring.  The first "major" occurrence, early in the film, is the interior of the house getting trashed.  This prompts Daniel to have the interior security cameras installed which makes it easier to not be on the hand held footage throughout.  Daniel and Ali seem either skeptical or dismissive early on, and about midway into the film Daniel even becomes angry (because of his non-belief) at their latina housekeeper Martine for burning herbs to ward off the evil presence, and subsequently fires her.
Kristi and Katie talk briefly about their childhood, about some similar "things" happening, which Katie insists that they no longer discuss.  The activity escalates into violence as the family dog is attacked, and soon Kristi is forcibly dragged down the basement by an unseen force.  Daniel brings Martine back to help them, and a hasty decision is made to transfer the demon onto Katie - to protect Hunter and Kristi.  There is the final stand-off, and I will reveal the conclusion in a moment...

I would note that this film, unlike the first, felt much more contrived.  It seems that you are more "ready" for the brief scares that happen throughout.  Even though most of the activity occurs in the house, it did not feel as claustrophobic or foreboding as it could have, which dialed the intensity back a notch.  Daniel's reluctance to believe in something supernatural is not really expressed well, it seemed to more of "going through the motions".  In fact, I would not even say that it felt like he was played the concerned husband or protector of his children very well, either.  The only other item I felt was not otherwise explained well enough was the "why" was Ali (primarily) making all the home videos at the moments she was?  It did not seem congruent with the behavior of a teenage girl making a video journal, or something similar.  I just felt it worth mentioning, as it again hurts the scare-factor, in my opinion.
Overall, there were a few good jump moments, and a little history is added to Kristi and Katie's family attachment to what may be happening (someone in their family line possibly made a deal with a demon for wealth or power that now requires payment), so that does make it worth watching. Also because this film incorporates a young child being involved in the haunting does make the moments a bit more tense.  The film is 98 minutes for the Director's cut/ 91 minutes for the Theatrical Cut, and each segment we are shown as the timeline progresses are about 3-4 minutes long, so it is not bogged down.
The conclusion: Begins right after the last scene of Paranormal Activity; so Micah has been killed (although no one "knows" yet in the timeline).  The cameras now show Katie, still possessed by the demon,  in a blood spattered shirt, inside the Rey house, where she comes up behind Daniel and snaps his neck.  Katie then walks upstairs and sees Kristi holding Hunter, Katie walks towards them and Kristi is thrown with superhuman force against the wall.  Katie picks up Hunter and walks out carrying him.  Text on screen notes that Ali (who was not in the house) found Daniel and Kristi's bodies 3 days later, and that Katie and Hunter are still missing.  

Extras:
- My brother has reviewed number 3
- Paranormal Activity 4 is out this weekend