2 out of 5

Directors: Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost

With PA1 we really had no idea what to expect, and PA2 still feeds off of that – because we can’t be sure what to expect ..next.. , but despite PA3’s attempt to flesh out the film with some extra plotting and hopes of diverting sequel-itis by ditching the “wait for it” formula and just being up front with the scares, it nevertheless is predictable in setup and slow to get to its scattered plot point(s).  Thus, regardless of how quality the setup for the scares might be, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at most of them, which prrrobably wasn’t the point.  It was a clever idea to jump back to some old tapes from the affected family’s archives – it does help to unite all 3 films under one universe, and automatically sidesteps any need to delve into aftermath of PA1 or 2.  However, though we have fun with the VHS look, I never buy this as 1988, and this film is probably one of the WORST offendors of “why are you carrying a camera” out of the entire genre, which is where the time-jump to clunky tape-recorders doesn’t help make that any more believable…  Now, to the plot: unfortunately, as was the case with Rec, also, the “point” of all of this isn’t really important.  I liked the vagueness of 1 and 2, and though 3 doesn’t truly lay any absolutely clear cards on the table, this was a gist already suggested by the prior films, and clarifying it here doesn’t do much except weigh the whole experience down, and derail us from the actual point of giving us the spooks.  Full credit to the directors for well-designed scenes, and the actors felt like real people, especially the interactions between and with the girls.  It’s just a tired series, not willing to shake things up as much as Rec 3.