In 2013 a horror film debuted that scared audiences in ways few films have. It wasn't so scary it stopped being entertaining, it wasn't too gory as to churn people's stomachs. But it was so scary that the hardcore horror fans loved. It was so scary that people who aren't horror fans loved it too. It was so scary that people went back to see it again and again to see if it was still scary the second and third time around... and it was. All this while being only PG-13. That film was called THE CONJURING and has become one of the most financially and critically successful horror films in years.
I am big fan of horror cinema (in case you didn't know). I've seen all kinds from domestic to imported, slashers to monsters, ghosts to possessions, and horror/comedy to soul-crushing brutality. Having run the gamut of horror films, I enjoyed the hell out of The Conjuring ranking it among some of my favorite horror films of all time and my number 2 favorite film of 2013. It is one of the most effectively entertaining horror films ever, in my opinion, surpassing its sister films INSIDIOUS and ANNABELLE.
That being said, I enjoyed the hell out of THE CONJURING 2.
THE PLOT
Ed and Lorraine Warren have entered the Lutz House in Amityville with hopes of exorcising the spirits within. What Lorraine sees in one of her visions shakes her to the very foundation of her being. Several thousand miles away in England another family is plagued by a haunting eerily similar to the incident in Amityville. Europe's experts believe it to be a hoax. The Catholic Church enlists Ed and Lorraine to evaluate the situation. What they find is far more malevolent than what happened at Amityville.
THE GOOD
Light vs Darkness. The Warrens are real people and closest thing to real life Ghostbusters. Naturally the Conjuring films have a balance of light and dark within them as the Warrens probably would've wanted it. Some horror films tend to dive so deep into the darkness that the light of the story is all but lost. The Conjuring 2 is loaded with scares, some potent enough to shake long time horror fans like myself. But the force for good is always present. The film strikes a balance between good and evil that helps one endure the scares all the while knowing that hope still exists. It is my belief that the success of the Conjuring and the sequel in some part is due to how well balanced they are.
The Scares. This film delivers some truly effective scares. Depending on who you talk to, the scare that effected them the most ranges from person to person. That right there is an extraordinary accomplishment and testament to how well done this film is. Not only is there one good scare but there are many of equal or greater potency. Director James Wan has fear figured out to a science, what is needed where and how to execute with precision. His other films Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious, Insidious Chapter 2, and the Conjuring all have a high level of scares in them. The Conjuring 2 can be added to the list.
Valek. Unholy hell, that is one scary character. Single handedly makes the movie for me. Whoever designed this character deserves a Fear Medal or Horror Award.
THE BAD
CGI. If there was anything I'd change about the film it would be the few instances of CGI effects used in the film. The character of the Crooked Man is completely CGI rendered and for me personally the effect doesn't gel with the rest of the movie. The separation between effect and reality is too obvious and striking. Likewise another CGI effect towards the end of the movie feels similarly. Then there are some tonal shifts and music choices near the opening of the film that feel a little too commercial to me and not as ominous as it could've been. But the first Conjuring had these as well but for some reason they didn't seem as jarring as the ones in Conjuring 2. It's a nitpick I'll probably get over after the second viewing. All in all I really liked this movie.
THE VERDICT
Director James Wan has fear down to a science. The Conjuring 2 is almost perfect in it's execution of tension, suspense, and scares. It's just a hair below in quality compared to the first Conjuring thanks to a half realized CGI effect. Even with that bland effect the film delivers some truly terrifying moments and contains one of the scariest characters ever realized on screen. Very scary. Very good. Worthy of adding to the collection and multiple viewings.
Overall Ranking: 7 out of 10
For more films by James Wan and good movies about hauntings check out these others
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