The Blair Witch Project was released in 1999 and basically started the found footage horror genre. A decade later, in 2009, Paranormal Activity got a general release and brought found footage back into prominance. Both have relatively simple plots about ghostly entities tormenting people who record all the activity. Due to the similarities, people have questioned which is the better film. This is my opinion, where I compare and contrast parts of both films.
PLOT:
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: This film concerns 3 people who get lost in the woods and are tormented by the ghost of a witch. They are slowly picked off one by one. It has many plot points that are not followed up on, but add to the overall creepiness of the film. The idea that the antagonist is the ghost of a witch is a very good twist on the ghost genre.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: This film concerns a couple who are stalked by a demonic entity in their own home. It, like Blair Witch, has many plot points that are not followed up on, but unlike Blair Witch, it does not add to the overall effect of the movie. Plus, the fact that the demon is haunting them in their house basically makes this a haunted house film, just done really well.
VERDICT: The Blair Witch Project. The fact that they get lost in the woods makes this film extremely intense and frightening, whereas in Paranormal Activity you just ask "why don't they just leave?" Plus, we don't see very many witch movies, and the fact that it's the ghost of a witch is even creepier. Demons have been done a lot in films, even if this movie is great, it's still been done before.
ACTING:
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: All the actors in this movie play very believable characters, and they escalate from having fun, to creeped out, to angry, to paranoid, and finally, to terrified masterfully. Their reactions make this film even more intense.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: Both main actors are awesome in this film. You really believe that they are experiencing these hauntings. The supporting actors have very good reactions and make you feel like this is real.
VERDICT: Tie. All the actors in both movies do such good jobs that I cannot decide which is better.
ATMOSPHERE/SCARES:
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: This film has a very intense, claustrophobic atmosphere where as the film goes on, it bears down on you more and more. This film creates a high level of intensity and then holds you there for the whole film. This is a very creepy film that creates a level of uncomfort and for a horror movie, that is the biggest compliment I can give it. When you watch the witch attack scenes, you hardly blink.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: This film has a great, creepy atmosphere with some intense scenes, but there is always that thought in the back of your mind, "just run outside or to the neighbors' house." So some great scenes, but the fact that it is in a suburb is a little less scary than being trapped in the middle of the woods with no one around.
VERDICT: The Blair Witch Project wins simply because of the setting. Having the characters trapped in the woods is a bit more intense than someone being haunted in the middle of the suburbs.
FRANCHISE/SEQUELS:
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: A sequel, BOOK OF SHADOWS: BLAIR WITCH 2, was released in 2000. It was not received well, and a third film has been in development ever since. So it had one subpar sequel, and nothing else.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: A sequel, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2, was released in 2010, and received mainly positive reviews. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 was released in 2011 and also received mainly positive reviews. 2012 saw the release of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4, which received mainly negative reviews. A fifth film is planned for release in 2013, and a spin-off is planned but has no release date. So it got two good sequels, one bad sequel, with more films on the way.
VERDICT: Paranormal Activity. It is one of the biggest horror franchises to come out of the last decade, along with SAW and FINAL DESTINATION. The Blair Witch Project got one bad sequel and a third one has been in development for over a decade.
So all in all, in my opinion, The Blair Witch Project is the superior film. Paranormal Activity is a great film with some good sequels, and I want to see more. But Blair Witch, to me, is a scarier film.
Which film do you guys think is the best? What other 2 franchises do you think should face off? Sound off below, let me know, and keep in mind, this is all my opinion.