Director Wars: Gareth Edwards VS Oren Peli
This edition of Versus should probably incorporate Neill Blomkamp somehow as his extraordinary film District 9
XTRA: I Call These Movies… Awesome Movies.
It’s an inspiring tale that opened doors for talented directors like Oren Peli and Gareth Edwards to make their mark.
Paranormal Activity was my favorite movie of 2009.
Director Oren Peli did an amazing job with a tiny budget and created a massively successful horror franchise. He proved that it doesn’t take a ton of money to create a horrific atmosphere if you have a solid concept and clear direction.
2010′s Monsters showed us that you don’t need a massive budget to create a successful alien invasion story.
Director Gareth Edwards created the incredible visual effects by himself but more than that, he created an pretty fantastic film driven by wonderful characters.
Each took relatively small budgets (Peli especially with a budget of $15,000) and armed with entertaining stories, launched themselves into the Hollywood spotlight.
Sometimes all it takes is a good idea and the passion to pull it off. Blomkamp did it and is now seen as one of the leading young directors today.
So which director will win this battle? Lets break it down.
The Hype
Paranormal Activity
Oren Peli and company made this film in 2007. It was a long time before it got into the hands of Steven Spielberg.
The marketing team did an incredible job of creating hype for this film. Basically, daring people to demand it in their cities. Using the web, social media and positive word of mouth, a tremendous amount of hype was generated.
And the film delivered as promised.
Monsters
This film didn’t get nearly enough publicity leading up to it’s release. It’s unfortunate.
I did like how they released it online. I wish it was available somewhere On Demand in Canada early on. I would have definitely payed to rent it.
Instead, I was forced to wait.
Winner: Paranormal Activity
The Directors
These films are both incredibly alike and incredibly different. Both films involve 2 main characters facing enormous challenges and both keep things relatively simple. Where they differ is scale.
Paranormal Activity
Shot in one house with hand held techniques. The ‘found footage’ style is executed perfectly and provides some of the best scares in recent memory. Peli does a fantastic job showing you just enough to keep you at the edge of your seat while holding back for the spectacular finale.
Monsters
Monsters is a much more polished film. While P.A remains locked in one location, Monsters takes you on a journey filled with Aliens, Armies, Battles and much more. Edwards has a great eye for visual effects. You’d never know they were done on such a low budget.
Using clever placements of signs, debris and other effects, the director creates a perfect ‘Infected Zone’ that pulls you into the story.
I give the edge to Monsters here for the sheer scale the director managed to achieve.
Winner: Monsters
The Cast
Paranormal Activity
Both main characters did a great job selling the story to the audience but there were still moments here and there where it felt a little over the top.
Monsters
The strength of this film is the character work and a lot of credit has to go to the cast.
Winner: Monsters
The Films
Paranormal Activity
To this day it remains one of the best theater experiences I’ve ever had. Such a simple concept. Such an entertaining movie.
Monsters
Monsters had a different impact on me. The way the film is presented was inspiring. I may not know a lot about visual effects but I’ve certainly applied it to my screenwriting. I’m no longer afraid to go a little further instead of constantly worrying about escalating costs.
Winner: Tie
The Reactions
Paranormal Activity
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Monsters
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Winner: Paranormal Activity
The Cash
Source: Box Office Mojo
Paranormal Activity
Budget: $15,000
Worldwide Box Office: $193,355,800
A staggering number.
“How much profit?”
“Oh just 193 million… No biggie.”
Monsters
Budget: $500,000
Worldwide Box Office:$2,724,490
It’s unfortunate the film didn’t get a larger release.
Winner: Paranormal Activity
The Future
Paranormal Activity
The film will now be a trilogy of demonic madness and I can’t wait to see how it all ends.
XTRA: Wouldn’t It Be Awesome If Paranormal Activity 3 Was About…
Oren Peli didn’t direct the second or the upcoming third installment but he has served as a writer and producer on the projects.
He also has another ‘found footage’ film coming out that centers on aliens and more specifically on Area 51.
XTRA: Paranormal Activity 2 review
Monsters
Early word has surfaced that Gareth Edwards will be taking on Godzilla next. If that’s the case, it will be a while before we see anything new so the edge still goes to Peli.
Winner: Paranormal Activity
Overall
Each category is worth one point with ties counting as a point for each.
Paranormal Activity: 5 Points
Monsters: 3 Points
The Winner: Paranormal Activity
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