Because of its candid filming approach and believable acting, many people were actually duped into thinking it real, only to later find the whole premise — and all of the terrifying weird stuff making sleep so dreadful for the week after — was a complete sham.

The second film has a different approach, accepting its deflated element of reality and replacing it with a more theatrical style and some pricey special effects, too.

The bigger budget production presents a new feel, but the foreboding sense of something terrifying appearing on the screen was still there at every moment — the main source of the movie’s scare factor.

Although the title alludes to a “what happens next” story line, it actually acts as a secondary story to the original, half-leading up and the last few minutes being a slight inclination as to what might come if yet another sequel is made.

The sheer uselessness of “PA2’s” production as a follow-up to a film that stood well enough alone is enough to resent the money grabbing studio and director Oren Peli for this audacious attempt to cash-cow the original.

But they did and with the bar set high they needed some chilling “footage” to be worthwhile.

It didn’t even come close to the mark. With a 93 minute runtime, the majority of the film was spent cycling through the seven security cameras set up around the house showing mundane things like the electric pool cleaner shuffling around.

Other time was spent with the hand-held camera at family dinners and pool-side chats.

Was I watching “True Life: I think my house is haunted”? The buildup lasted until the remaining 15 minutes, where viewers actually got to see a few disturbing scenes that trump the mysteriously opening doors and chiming dinner pots.

Without action, there was potential for a character-driven plot to come shining through (and possibly make a third film more worthwhile) but the acting and screenplay were unfortunately a disappointment as well.

Any way you take it, the film doesn’t feel worth the ticket price.

One impressive aspect was Peli’s use of suspense and intermittent humor for an ominous feel, making the anticipation and nervousness of something happening at any moment a good substitute for the graphic, bloody scares we’re used to.

The movie has a few heart-pounding scenes but, as a package, is a disappointment.

In the spirit of Halloween, you may be better served by a date night at the cinema watching a gory franchise that knows sequels: “Saw 3D,” which comes out on Friday.

Two stars out of five

Grosse Ile sophomore Lisa Semetko formed the group “The Central Michigan Paranormal Society” over the summer because she could not find any similar groups at CMU.

The organization initially started as a Facebook group and, within the first day, Semetko said about 50 people joined.

“I was expecting like 12,” she said. “The interest in it was spectacular.”

Grosse Ile sophomore Kara Taylor, far left, Lakeview freshman Benjamin Brodie, Grosse Ile sophomore Mark Kazmierski, Sterling Heights junior Veronica Rohr, and Grosse Ile sophomore Lisa Semetko of the Paranormal Society discuss their ghost hunting adventures after an investigation of Mill Pond Saturday night at Cranker’s Coney Island on Pickard. (Libby March/Staff Photographer)

They have completed three official investigations at Millpond Park, 607 S. Adams St., to mixed results.

They also visited Riverside Cemetery, 714 W. Broadway St., over Labor Day, which resulted in the finding of what may have been a ghost.

During investigations, the group uses electro-magnetic field detectors, electric thermometers and digital voice recorders to detect the presence of paranormal activity.

Semetko said she has always had an interest in this type of thing. When she was 16, she went ghost-hunting at a bird sanctuary in her hometown. When she arrived home, she got sick and thought she saw a shadow lurking in her room.

“I was really freaked out,” she said.

More Hauntings

Group member Kara Taylor, a Gross Ile sophomore, also has experienced what may have been paranormal activity.

Taylor and Semetko would ghost-hunt at local cemeteries together in high school, but it goes further than that.

Taylor’s great-aunt died in her house and she said since then she has heard footsteps, random whispering and even the weight of someone sitting at the edge of her bed. On two separate occasions, someone has called her name into her ear, she said.

“It was like someone just said ‘Kara’ right in my ear,” she said. “I got freaked out, called my brother and we searched my room.”

Although Taylor and Semetko both believe in the possibility of paranormal activity, they do remain skeptical and said the group mostly focuses on debunking myths.

Researching the urban legends, such as asking people involved in the stories and reading old newspaper articles, is Semtko’s favorite part.

She said they hope to do future investigations at Sloan, Warriner and Grawn halls, along with the Mount Pleasant Center, 1400 W. Pickard St.

Group member Benjamin Brodie, a Lakeville freshman, remains skeptical on the subject of ghosts.

“I’ve seen some weird things, but they can always be explained,” he said. “I would love to be proven wrong.”

The group meets at 8 p.m. Mondays at Kaya Coffee and Tea Co., 1029 S. University Ave. It has yet to reach official status as a registered student organization.