No Doubt About It. The Conjuring 2 Is 2016's Best Horror Film

The Conjuring 2
Directed by James Wan,
Starring Vera Farmiga,
Patrick Wilson,
Frances O'Connor,
Madison Wolfe,
 Simon McBurney
and Franka Potente
Production company: New Line Cinema
The Safran Company
Atomic Monster
RatPac-Dune Entertainment
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

After waiting more than two years, we finally have the sequel that we have been begging for since James Wan unleashed the terror way back in 2013 with 'The Conjuring'. The first film, which was a critical and commercial success, has brought the horror genre to a whole new level. Taking a real life case from the files of famous demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, and taking cues from all the classics of the horror genre like The Exorcist, The Shining, The Amityville Haunting and The Omen, James Wan manages to create one of the best movies of the genre of this decade. Therefore, when it was announced that a sequel was planned, fans couldn't be more than excited.

This time, the Warrens are brought to London to investigate a poltergeist activity that is supposedly haunting a council house in Brimsdown, England, circa 1977. This haunting became one of the most documented paranormal activity in history. The story has been tagged as England's very own Amityville, and has even spawned a British TV mini-series entitled 'The Einfield Haunting' in 2015. Now, we get to see a new take on the infamous haunting that made headlines all over England, featuring returning cast members Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Lorraine and Ed Warren.

It's 1977 in London when the Hodgson family starts to experience weird, supernatural events in their sweet old council house. Janet, the second oldest of four children, is the one who experiences these events more frequently, as she is constantly haunted by a ghastly looking old man who claims to be the owner of the house. Things get even weirder as furniture starts to fly around the house, with not only them being witness to these paranormal occurrences.
Ed and Lorraine Warren are then summoned to investigate the claims of a supernatural being haunting the premises, but they soon discover that there is something more that is happening behind all of this.

Cast members Vera Farmiga, Simon McBurney, Patrick Wilson, and  Frances O'Connor(Left to right)

Being a fan of the first movie, of course, I can't help but compare the sequel to it's predecessor. To be honest, I actually loved the looks and feels of this sequel upon watching it's first few minutes. I know I'm about to see some really nice period piece here. From the wardrobe, to the sets. Every corner, every car, every street, every room. Everything looks and feels so retro. And it adds to my enjoyment of the film as I'm a big fan of period movies.

Also, another aspect that I can't help but compare between the two movies is the pacing of the films. The first movie has this distinct tempo: a classic haunted house story. It all starts small, but then things soon escalate further and further until it's climactic point. But this sequel is different. It follows a different tempo.  It's pacing from the beginning until two thirds of the film is quite the same, not going higher than the last one. It's just steady. James Wan throws in some really effective jump scares here and there. We get some really nice twists and turns. But it's following a steady rhythm. Then, during the last few minutes of the film, it throws you high up in the air with it's intense final act. The feeling is like being catapulted into a steep point in a roller-coaster ride. I have never felt that kind of heart-stopping action and suspense since watching 2014's 'The Babadook'. It was very different and not exactly what I was expecting, but it was a whole lot of fun.

"Don't look behind..."

Storywise, I think the case of the Einfield Poltergeist was the perfect fit to continue the story of the Warrens. I love the fact that they have also included the story of the Amityville house as their opening scene of the movie. I think it was a really nice way to kick off the film, the same way Annabelle did for the first movie. The ghosts and demons in the film were pretty scary as hell too, like Bathsheeba and Annabelle in the predecessor. The Old Man named Bill Wilkins terrorizing Janet was kind of creepy, although he is too similar to the spirits from the Insidious series to be that unique. The ghastly nun demon named Valak was kinda cool and was really creepy. I think she was the most memorable characters from the movie that New Line Cinema is now planning a spin-off movie entitled 'The Nun' featuring the demon, with James Wan and Peter Safran to produce. But for me, the one that really scared the shit out of me was The Crooked Man. Although not really a character on it's own since it was actually just a disguise of Valak, the Crooked Man is still the scariest thing I saw in the movie. He was played by actor Javier Botet, who in turn, played the monstrous mother in 2013's Mama. It's looks and the nursery rhyme that accompanies it's apparition reminds me of the monster from 2014's 'The Babadook'.

Madison Wolfe as Janet Hodgson

As for the actors, lead stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are both once again on top of their game as the famed demonologists. Just like the first movie, their characters are given enough spotlight to build up their relationship as a couple. The script allotted a lot of moments of the movie to bring up the romantic side of their relationship which wasn't given focus in the first film. The film tries it's best to make us love the two of them, and yes, we did. So once the film reaches it's highest point during it's final minutes, one can't help but feel beyond terrified for their characters. The rest of the cast, particularly Frances O'Connor as Peggy Hodgson and Madison Wolfe as Janet Hodgson were equally amazing in their performances. Their outstanding acting was able to match Lili Taylor's from the predecessor. Rounded up with some more amazing sets of supporting actors and actresses, this sequel should definitely win some Oscar awards for it's cast.

Of course, all of these aspects will work, and will only work if not for the outstanding talent of horror master James Wan. Being a follower of his works, I originally thought that this sequel was going to end up a bit lame or worse, disastrous, much like what happened to Insidious Chapter 2 (2013). But I'm very much relieved to find out that Wan has made another horror masterpiece that will carve a special place for horror fans out there. His direction mostly starts out with long shots of the surroundings to give viewers an idea of the setting where scene, then extends it with long moments of silence or stillness, and ends it with an unforgettable jump scare. This has been one of his best skills that made me fall in love with his previous horror efforts (with the exemption of 'Saw').

The Conjuring 2 is easily the year's best horror film, a sequel anticipated and welcomed with open arms by everyone who loves the genre. And not only that. It's also a heartwarming Christian family melodrama, a romance, and a musical showcase of Patrick Wilson's impressive guitar and vocal skills.

         

Highlights (Spoilers Ahead):

• The Amityville Opening. To be honest, the opening scene featuring the Warrens in the infamous Amityville house was way more scary that the 2004 reboot. And it managed to scare us in minutes alone!
• Valak's painting on the wall coming to life. I will never turn off the lights inside the house. Even during daylight!
• That dog transforming into The Crooked Man. Yes, I know I've mentioned it already but I can't help it. It just scared me to hell.
• The heart-stopping window scene featuring Ed Warren, Janet Hodgson, and an instant wooden stake out of a tree struck by lightning where the two of them are about top fall into, ala-Final Destination.
• Patrick Wilson's Elvis impersonation. Priceless.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰