Paranormal Activity Blu-ray

Paranormal Activity

 (2009)

Horror | Thriller



After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban "starter" tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially when they sleep. Or try to.

For more details about Paranormal Activity on Blu-ray, see the Paranormal Activity Blu-ray Review

Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
Director: Oren Peli

Paranormal Activity Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Paranormal Activity features a 1080p, 1.78:1 transfer that's ugly but also true to the source. Despite its meager looks, it's important to recognize that Blu-ray is not some magic disc that will make everything look like Cars; the format's strength lies in its ability to reproduce the source material closely to the original, and Paranormal Activity's inherent constraints are no fault of Blu-ray or Paramount's 1080p transfer. The Blu-ray simply reproduces the source material here, and all of its flaws -- banding, soft corners, dim colors, and smeary details -- are reflective of the (relatively) low-grade original master. Nevertheless, the subpar appearance only adds to the effectiveness of the film; the lack of noticeable production values and overall amateur feel -- reflected in the prosumer-grade equipment used in the film -- only reinforce the film's best attributes. Suffice it to say, the image on display is accurate to the source but not at all a shining example of what Blu-ray is capable of. Viewers that understand that it's the limitations of the source and not the format or Paramount's transfer that's the culprit here will appreciate the film and its Blu-ray counterpart all the more.

Paranormal Activity Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Paramount scares up a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack that's reflective of the limited sound design employed by Paranormal Activity. The track rarely moves past the supposed limitations of the source. Unlike Cloverfield, sound isn't heightened for dramatic effect. Muddled and boomy dialogue sounds as if its taken straight from the initial recording, not remixed in a studio. Background music and sound effects as heard throughout the film -- for example a piece of music that plays through computer speakers -- sounds filtered and undefined, just as one might expect of a playback of a secondarily-recorded piece of music. The track's dialogue and sound effects primarily remain focused in the middle part of the front soundstage, but Paranormal Activity does employ a fair amount of bass that's perhaps a bit more precise than would otherwise be expected, but it's not overplayed to an extent that it comes across as phony or added into the film after the fact. The low end is supportive and tense, but not overbearing. It will subtly rattle the room, but not threaten to tear it apart. Listeners hoping for something along the lines of Star Trek or Terminator Salvation might be disappointed with what Paranormal Activity's soundtrack has to offer, but it must be considered -- and rated accordingly -- in the context of its limited source material.

Paranormal Activity Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Today on Blu-ray - December 29th - December 29, 2009


• Paranormal Activity Blu-ray Announced - November 24, 2009


• Get Your Name on the Paranormal Activity Blu-ray - November 6, 2009

Paranormal Activity Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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