THE CONJURING - (2013)

MPAA:

Rated R for sequences of disturbing violence and terror

In recent years, the phenomena of the demon, possession, or other paranormal movie has become the new vampire, or zombie movie. And people flock to theaters like moths to the flame to see these things. And I understand why...the marketing. So, when I first saw the teaser for this movie, I wasn't all that excited. It seemed like I was watching another Insidious trailer...it being from James Wan of course. But I must say I was a little more intrigued with each trailer I saw for the film. And that is something that rarely happens to me.

The Conjuring is actually a relatively “scary” movie in my opinion. Because it plays on things that I feel can actually “take place”. And some people don't agree with that assessment. But it also works for me, because Wan is learning his craft more and more, and is learning to control himself just a tad; making the audience wait a bit for the scares....and where you think there should be scares, there aren't, and vice versa. I think Wan having other writers come on for this film was another plus for this film...because it always him a new very point...and when in the past he would go full out and blast the audiences senses...he pulls back and uses the less is more tactic. But lets talk about the story.

In 1971, family man Roger Perron and his wife Carolyn move to an old farmhouse in Rhode Island with their daughters Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy and April. The family finds a hidden basement which the entrance is locked with planks. Soon they are haunted by noises and ghosts and Carolyn meets the famous paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. They visit the house and Lorraine and Ed feel that the house is possessed by a fiend. Their further investigation shows that a witch has sacrificed her seven-day baby to Satan and has possessed other mothers that lived in the real estate to kill their children. Lorraine and Ed bring his friends Drew and Brad to help them to collect evidences to convince the Church that it is necessary an exorcism to save The Perron family from evil.

One of the actual daughters of this film wrote a series of books about her experiences in this house. No, I have not read them, because everything I hear, they are self published, and are one of the worst things ever written. And I understand that an editor was in need with those things. However, those books were not the basis for this film. Instead this film was based on the filmmakers going over the records of Ed and Lorraine Warren. I don't care what you think about these two...if they are credible or not...that is the facts that this was based from. And at least, they had some sort of data to go off of, so this work of fiction had it's roots in something real. And that is reassuring in days where “based on true events” films are a dime a dozen...and have no basis in reality at all.

The biggest strategy I see when they were making this movie...is in the casting. You cast can make or break a film. Patrick Wilson (Night Owl in Watchmen), plays Ed Warren...and Vera Farmiga (from Bates Motel), plays Lorraine Warren. These two right off the bat set the tone to this film. Their acting chops only impress me more and more with each film they do. Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston play Mr. and Mrs. Perron. In all fairness, I cannot stand Lili Taylor as an actress...going back to when she was on HBO's Six Feet Under. But I enjoy her performance in this film...and thats a plus, because I thought she was going to ruin the movie for me.

When the Perron's come to the Warrens' for help, you feel the tension between the couple, because Ed doesn't want to do it, and Lorraine says it's their duty to help them. There is this big backstory as to why Ed doesn't want Lorraine to be a part of this...and I wish they really would have gone into that more. Because with how they describe it, it would have made for amazing imagery. But all we get is crappy flashback footage, and Lorraine screaming...that is it. I would expect more...but it is what it is.

At the beginning of this movie we are introduced to a doll, Annabelle...it is supposedly a possessed doll, that is trying to kill of couple nursing students. I thought it was really a strange way to start off the movie....but made sense when by the end of the movie, the demon that is in the Perron's home, uses the doll to attack Ed and Lorraine's daughter. And that was actually something I didn't see coming...so it was a nice surprise when it did occur.

I will say this...I think where this film falls short, is that it really can't decide what kind of movie it wants to be. Did it want to be a haunting movie, and paranormal movie (because they are different), or did it want to be a possession movie. This is one of those films I like to call a “chicken sink film”...and that is where they throw everything in it, but the kitchen sink. And it does make for an action filled, horror film...but there is so much shit going on...that as a viewer you are slightly overwhelmed, and have no clue as to what could be coming up next...and normally that is a good thing...but when it's, “what type of movie is this going to be next?” That is not a good thing. They really needed to stick with one sub-genre, and run with it.

Overall, compared to all the other films like this, that have been coming out over the years...I think this one really works. And I think it will hold up good over time, as a legitimate scary movie. I don't think the MPAA did the film any justice by slapping a R rating on this film...because there is absolutely nothing in this film that warranted a R rating. In fact, James Wan was told by the studios to make a PG-13 horror film. And I think that this film would have done even better in the box office, had that rating not been attached to this film. I think this is a film that everyone can enjoy...even those who are easily scared...this film will be right up you alley. It is all in all, and great film...and I couldn't recommend it enough. And we all know Annabelle just came out, and the announced The Conjuring 2...I will have to wait and see the second film...but you can read my review to Annabelle right now.

Till Next Time Kiddies...

-RJ