The Conjuring 2





B+

A bit too long, but with a refreshing emphasis on character and some very nice scares. Wan's camerawork is amazing.

The link is Me Before You. Hmm. Not as embarrassing as linking to porn, but close.

I didn't realize people actually clicked the IMDb links. The more you know.

I liked this a lot more than the first one. It is way too long but I found myself invested in the family and the duo surprisingly.

Liked it as a standalone horror film but when comparing it to the first it falls short. The first half has one after another tricks and it really helps you connect with the family though that aspect has been better developed in other movies. The opening scene in particular is masterfully done explaining Lorraine's "visions". The haunting and camerawork are really good and James Wan has a command over you for those minutes, similar to (even moreso than) first Paranormal Activity, even when nothing happens you are prepared for the worst, intently waiting to be teased. The second act is good but a lot more than necessary time is being spent on proving the credentials of the ghost and in turn for Warrens/Church which comes out as repetitive/non-progressive. The third act was again masterfully created and build-up to the entire scene is great but when it comes to it, the exorcism was rushed.

Overall this movie has many tricks in the first half that the audience will be satisfied, the chemistry between the leads is top-notch and even better explored here. The family aspect specially in the first half is REALLY well built, special mention for the neighbors trying to help the family. The film lacks the focus of first movie and being the sequel looses that surprise factor/distinctiveness. Also as I mentioned the ending lands with a thud and doesn't really generate what the first film did. It is still MUCH better than what horror movies we are provided today (goes to say a lot about how great the first movie was).

7/10

shouldn't this be stickied?

A solid sequel, almost exactly on par with the first film. Every pro and con largely remains the same, though they are perhaps magnified by an epic-for-the-genre length of two hours and 15 minutes. The follow-up finds Catholic investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson with sideburns and Vera Farmiga with a melancholy gaze, traveling to London to help a single mother and her four children confront a ghostly (or demonic) presence in their home. Director James Wan once again illustrates his technical wizardry behind the camera, knowing when to utilize balletic camera moves and when to opt for subtlety. At one point, he holds a static and partly out-of-focus composition for several minutes, generating nearly unbearable tension. The put-upon family requiring the Warrens' assistance is also a chief highlight: the at times testy, yet always warm dynamic shared by the recently divorced mother and her children is realistic and given time and space to develop, so we truly empathize with and fear for them. Madison Wolfe delivers a particularly soulful performance as Janet, the adolescent daughter most sensitive to the supernatural, while also proving a highly capable student of the Linda Blair School of Lashing, Swearing, and Writhing. The film's shortcomings include a heavy-handed touch when conveying the Warrens' love for one another and their religious conviction, both of which are frequently driven home with a sentimental sledgehammer. Both Conjuring films also lose steam in the home stretch: the incremental buildup of dread is more interesting than the final bursts of cross waving and Latin recitation.

B

The demonic nun's "plot" seems a bit of a pretzel. Was her ultimate goal Janet's soul or Ed's death? Because she sure goes sideways a lot if she just wants to impale Ed and destroy Lorraine's faith, etc., etc.: why, for instance, contrive a reason for them to leave the London house? (They only return because of his serendipitous a-ha moment with the tape reels.)

Creepy character design, though. And the actress who plays her also played the terrifying bum in Mulholland Dr.

Agreed the demonic nun plot and twist does seem forced and her sending them back because she is scared of them does land with a thud. And yes why would she give her name so easily, was she in their house to scare Lorraine or give them warning? The only good thing with the nun is the opening scene.

It's solid but a major step down from the first film. The cast and characters save it and there is a definite sense of atmosphere. All the actors are great. But the religious stuff here is just too much, and honestly I thought the first movie did such a better job of establishing a sense of dread. Nothing here is even close to as memorable as the "clap clap" gimmick from the first movie. All the demons present here made this feel like a more conventional blockbuster - like they knew they had a bigger budget and had to figure out a way to use it. Still though, it's good as a popcorn flick, and I'd watch Vera Farmiga in anything. B

Also, The Crooked Man was stupid.

I loved the Crooked Man. It comes out of left field, but his movement and aesthetic reminds me of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline.

The Crooked Man is everything I dream of from a new NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET movie.

Like, I was fine with that rotating toy and the whole story/song aspect - I actually liked the setup for it. But the appearance of the actual character was ridiculous in this context and completely detracted from the 'true story' feel they have been pushing. It felt more at home in something like Mama or a Guillermo del Toro movie.

James Wan had to defend the character on twitter because critics were claiming it was cgi/effects.

No. It was a legit guy.

I'm aware, it's the same guy who was in Mama

It's a movie with demons. It's already inherently silly.

I think it would have been scarier if they left at least something to the imagination.

I did love all the scenes set in the flooded basement as well as a lot of the climax (Wilson stumbling through the house half-blind and all the camerawork during this segment were both amazing).

My favorite scene in the entire movie is when Ed Warren interviews the girl (when she has water in her mouth). The way it is composed/staged is gorgeously creepy.

I definitely enjoyed this more than the first. It's amazing how low expectations and a mostly empty theater can work wonders. I thought James Wan really upped his game this time around, especially with the camerawork. The direction in this movie is superb and how he is able to use lighting and shadows is impressive. The scene with the crooked man in the chair talking to Patrick Wilson was great and that dope sequence with the painting was actually pretty damn scary. All the performances are top notch, especially the little girl who played Janet. The only reasons I didn't like it more was it did feel a bit too long and I do believe it runs out of momentum towards the end. The scares weren't as strong as the first two-thirds and I didn't like The Babadook inspired stuff with the crooked man which was just bad cgi.

The painting and the scene with the backs turned were both great.

The painting scene was great but its use in the story is not.

Fortunately Conjuring 2 is stylish and well filmed, because there's absolutely nothing to the typical fake haunted house story. Also, why does any horror genre b-movie need to be 135 minutes long? They should be cashing in on a fast theatre cycling 85 minute running time to get as many rubes who buy this nonsense in and out as fast they can. *D+*

This was great and even better than the first. I thought one of the Warren's would die and felt legit concern for them in the final act with Chekov's tree. I also liked the family more than this time. The scene with boy sticking up to the bully was great.

Also great;

-The entire finale- although the demon went down pretty easily. Atleast the demon actually had a point unlike Annabelle.

-The second interview- fantastic effect and such a creepy atmosphere in that whole scene. I had forgotten about the water by the time she spat it out.

-The painting comes to life! James Wan has always been able to create an atmosphere, but I've never been more impressed by the creatures.

-Cut from the chair moving to the cops running out of the house. Good comedy while absolutely selling how serious the situation was.

Just terrific filmmaking from James Wan and crew. I'm so glad Vin Deisel and a huge check drove him back towards hottor.

Did Wan and Diesel not get along?