Image Source: (Eonline)

BY ANTHONY MARTINEZ

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

What’s that sound? It was probably just audiences screaming at this Friday’s release of Paranormal Activity 3. The low-budget film has already brought in $54 million at the box office. Here’s HLN with a look.

REPORTER:“Russ, this is a prequel and just the trailers, those freak you out. Is it just as good as the other ones?”

LEATHERMAN: “Well, they’re pretty creepy. … And you’re right, this is going back to where it all began when sisters Katie and Christie, they’re little girls. They see some strange happenings in the house. One of them decides to have a tea party with a ghost named ‘Toby’. That’s always a bad idea. And that’s when all Hell breaks loose.”

The movie blew away its competition at the theaters this weekend. Analysts expected the film to make around $36 million. The unexpected turnout has a writer for USA Today saying this sets the studio up as the leader in fright.

“...the debut establishes Paranormal as the new king of Hollywood's horror mansion, once ruled by Paranormal's aesthetic-opposite, the Saw franchise. … Unless its numbers drop significantly in the weeks before Halloween, the third installment could eclipse $100 million.”

The film is shot in the series’ traditional “found footage” style, using handheld cameras and limited special effects. ABC praises the minimalist filmmaking.

“There are three elements that combine to make ‘Paranormal Activity 3’ effective: excellent use of silence; clever set up of a camera affixed to an oscillating fan; and the believability of ... the young actresses who play Katie and Kristi...”

But critics have given the film mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave the third installment of the franchise a 74% percent, eight points less the first in the series. Film critic Roger Ebert predicted the film’s success before opening night, but doesn’t hide his displeasure with the franchise.

“The formula for the films involves pallid characters, perfunctory dialogue and very long waits for something to happen. … Inexplicably, there are people who still haven't had enough of these movies. … you mark my words: Part 3 will gross untold millions this weekend.”

According to Box Office Mojo, the distant 2nd and 3rd place films were Real Steel with $10.3 million and Footloose with $10.8 million.