paramount's second entry in the paranormal activity franchise isn't particularly likely to gain new converts. those who liked the first film will probably enjoy the experience, and those who found major faults will not likely feel that this has done much better. the script by michael r. perry does solve many of the lingering problems of the first film, and even makes that first film better when viewed as part of a whole by adding some needed backstory. the acting is just as solid as in the first film and tod williams does an excellent job of building tension. this film is less about the primal fear of what happens when you sleep and are most vulnerable than it is an exercise in suspense and tension, punctuated with some legitimate scares. the film is certainly not perfect and some elements of the extended backstory seem unnecessarily tacked on, but this is certainly not as slow of a film as the first one and the mostly prequel, part sequel provides a good bookend for the first film. in most ways this is a somewhat better film that is worth checking out if you enjoy the found footage genre of horror.