Good news for James Wan, his new horror flick, The Conjuring, has been the box office surprise of the summer. Beating the likes of
Pacific Rim and The Lone Ranger, it has taken almost $87 million in the US. Here,
in the wake of its release on August 2nd, our televisions have been
plagued with advertisements boasting the usual “scariest film you’ll ever see”
remark. So, with all its financial success and raving reviews, does it live up
to the hype? Does The Conjuring conjure (sorry) up some true frights?
Based on a ‘true’ story from real-life paranormal
investigators; Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film is set in 1971 and follows the
Perron family; Carolyn, Roger and their five daughters. Starting afresh as a
family unit, they move into an old farmhouse in Rhode Island. No surprises that
the house is haunted and overrun with supernatural, demonic spirits resulting
from previous inhabitants’ pretty traumatic history. Fearing for the safety of
her family, Carolyn contacts Ed and Lorraine for help. Throughout their
investigation, each supernatural occurrence increases in its fright, violence and
intensity until reaching an exorcism crescendo.
If
you’re a horror fan, you will have seen what The Conjuring has to offer before.
Wan takes us on a filmic checklist through every horror production between the
1960s and late 70s. You've got the nice dog that refuses to enter the house, a
creepy bordered up cellar, an evil-looking doll, un-identified whisperings, doors
opening and slamming shut, possession, ghostly apparitions and Satan worshiping witches. This is not to say that none of it is effective –
especially for those who are not so familiar with the horror genre. Wan has an
incredibly refined skill of creating an intense atmosphere, forcing you to
check the frame peripherals and wait for that inevitable jolt-scare. He knows
how to take his audiences for a ride, even if the material used is unabashedly traceable
to certain horror classics (The Birds, The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror). So
for some, the intended impact may be somewhat reduced. Nevertheless, there are
one or two genuinely scary moments that may momentarily get your heart
pounding... and checking the top of your wardrobe when you return home.
The films’ production is a strong feat - the set design
creates nooks and crannies that possess a lingering vacuity, while specific
props effectively showcase a homely yet foreboding vibe. The cinematography by
frequent Wan-collaborator John R. Leonetti deserves an honorable mention,
primarily due to camera tracking and glide shots that add an extra unnerving
element to familiar checking-under-the-bed sequences. A minimal divulgence into
CGI territory is also worthy of a sigh of relief. Equally, with a cast including
Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga and Lili Taylor, performances are strong, reliable
and believable.
The one true issue I have is the film’s ending – a remarkably
cheesy affair that I had pinned down as one more lure into a false sense of
safety, before ending on a final image or heart-in-mouth scare that would get
the chins wagging of every spectator as they leave the auditorium. But no,
whilst there was a hint toward that tactic, everybody lived happily ever after,
with an uplifting, orchestral score to prove it. Perhaps it was a metaphorical
farewell from Wan to the horror genre, after all, aside from Insidious: Chapter 2 (due for release September 13th), rumor has it that his forays into
horror are no more.
Which is a shame, as The Conjuring is a perfectly passable horror
flick in the hands of a good cast and director who knows what he’s doing. One
or two unnerving moments aside however, it’s all too familiar to leave a
lingering impact. If this was a truly horrifying film, my post-Conjuring night would be plagued with a fear of waking up
at 3:07am, the smell of rotting flesh or crouching wardrobe witches. Conversely, I
was left with a feeling of familiarity and mediocrity... before falling sound asleep.
Have you seen The Conjuring? What were your thoughts? Post a comment!
Its good to watch....nice horror film its better than others,same known concept and story but presented in good manner.....its worth of watching.
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