-★★★☆☆
Horror movies became bland as time passed by. The last 2 frights with good stories I remember (in American films) are The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Paranormal Activity 1. Not until a guy named James Wan entered the scene with his first true horror hit Insidious that creeped the hell out of us by injecting a stereotypical Asian style of creepy without losing the western style of fright.
But James Wan didn’t stop there. He continued with the second installment of the Insidious franchise, and also started The Conjuring that gained positive feedback from critics and viewers alike which started yet another franchise under Wan’s helm.
And then The Conjuring 2 happened to which I thought would be another take on Amityville Horror, but wasn’t the case; although, it would really excite me if Wan gives his artistic ability for the Amityville story.
Anyway, The Conjuring 2 focuses on the Einfield Haunting in the UK about a family who experienced a poltergeist activity in their home that needed the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who just got their television fame debut after taking on the Amityville case.
They have to face a spirit who hasn’t passed on yet while discovering their own demon in the process.
So, how did The Conjuring do? It was fantastically made. James Wan yet proved again his ability to entwine a good story and a great scare in one film.
It was probably one of the scariest films in cinematic experience.
Wan’s ability to make scenes really creepy before the big fright is what makes him the king of American horror films in this generation.
But then I have to call out that the film for me was quite long plus it drags in the middle part quite a bit: I think it could’ve been edited less than the time that the film ran and it would be just enough.
Also, my partner’s take on the movie was that he didn’t like it because the payoff in the climax wasn’t satisfactory borderline nonsense. And without spoiling you, I think it’s because the story is restricted to the fact that exorcism in reality is really not that lavish as what we all see in most horror movies, especially in this film. That’s why Insidious is more exciting because it has a much creative freedom in terms of the story since it’s highly based on artistry rather than inspired by a true story.
Anyhow, the movie was quite a scare for me not to sleep well for one night or two.
