Chernobyl Diaries, the latest horror flick by “Paranormal Activity” mastermind Oren Peli, is all set to scare the living daylights out of prospective movie-goers this weekend. The movie, which follows the misadventures of several teenagers who decide to pay a visit to the town which once housed the nuclear power plant’s employees, has already received mixed reviews from critics. However, it’s the protesters that have caused the biggest stink thus far.

Yago Alayza, a graphic designer living in Florida, has put together a petition at Change.org after feasting his easily-offended eyes on the previews for Peli’s spooky endeavor. “Seeing teenagers taking a vacation at Chernobyl, as if they were going to Disney World, shocked me deeply,” he recently told Reuters. “Anyone visiting Chernobyl should have the same respect as if they were visiting Auschwitz or the Khmer Rouge Museum in Cambodia.”

Regarding the film’s “Experience the Fallout” tagline, Alayza added, “Honestly, who wants to experience a fallout? Do the filmmakers really know what that means? They are making a real horror situation into a joke! This is pure indifference to the reality of the tragedy.”

Considering quite a few motion pictures have been based on horrific real-life events, it’s kind of strange that people are getting so worked up over a disposable horror flick like “The Chernobyl Diaries”. Methinks he might be giving filmmaker Oren Peli and company a bit too much credit.

Even the director seems to understand that his picture isn’t exactly high art. “It’s obviously a fictionalized movie,” he explained. “We’re not trying to say this is a serious documentary or anything like that.” In other words, simmer down.

Have a look at the official synopsis if you’re unfamiliar with the flick:

Chernobyl Diaries is an original story from Oren Peli, who first terrified audiences with his groundbreaking thriller, Paranormal Activity. The film follows a group of six young vacationers who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an “extreme” tour guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago. After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone.

If you and your friends/family/invisible companion(s) are plotting to take in a screening of “The Chernobyl Diaries” this weekend, try not to take the experience too silly. The last time I checked, there are far more important things to get your underwear in a bunch about.

For instance, try this:

Or this:

(image)