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| Courtesy of Warner Bros. |
Making
a sequel to any movie is always a risky proposition, but the perils are even
greater with the horror genre. Most of the time, the filmmakers behind these
follow-ups think that churning out a by-the-numbers retread of the original
(albeit with more gore) is the way to go. In reality, horror sequels that
succeed usually do so because they either sharply deviate from the initial idea
or shed new light on it.
That’s
what’s so surprising about The Conjuring 2. From a plot perspective, it’s
basically the same concept as the terrific, deeply scary original. But it still
manages to be a fun – if overlong – experience thanks to the endearing main
characters and returning director James Wan’s assured style.
Once
again, husband-and-wife paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren
(Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) are tasked with uncovering the mystery
surrounding a haunted house and the family who lives there. This time around,
however, the family is a single mom (Frances O’Connor) and her four children
(Madison Wolfe, Lauren Esposito, Benjamin Haigh and Patrick McAuley) who live
in London.
Ed
is ready to dive straight in; after all, he believes God has called them to do
this work. Lorraine usually feels the same way, but recent premonitions of Ed’s
death that make her wary about taking on another case. She ultimately agrees to
go, but what they encounter – the ghost of an old man who seems to be drawn to
the family’s youngest daughter – is much different than they’re used to. In
fact, they’re not sure if they’re dealing with a spirit at all.
On
paper, The Conjuring 2 is just another haunted house movie. But it works
thanks to the fantastic chemistry between Wilson and Farmiga. The actors
instill their characters with such goodness and humanity that you can’t help
but love them.
The
best scene in the film isn’t even scary; it’s when Ed, in an attempt to settle
the family’s frayed nerves, picks up a guitar and performs Elvis Presley’s
“Can’t Help Falling In Love.” His compassion radiates off the screen, as does
Lorraine’s love for her husband in that moment. It’s genuinely moving stuff.
But
not everything works this time around. In addition to being a half-hour too
long, there’s a disappointing overuse of CGI instead of practical effects when
the supernatural presence appears. Also, a few secondary characters really have
no reason to be in the story. I honestly forgot one of the family’s sons
existed any time all four kids weren’t on screen together.
Still, The Conjuring 2 proves there’s still juice left in the unlikely franchise.
Even though I didn’t love it as much as the first one, the Warrens are such
great characters that I could watch several more movies about them.
The Conjuring 2 is rated R for terror and horror violence.
Grade:
B-
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