You wonder why Warner Bros only set aside $20 million to make The Conjuring. That's actually a lot of money for a horror film like this, but the thing is: this shit works. Everything about The Conjuring has been tried and tested. It's almost a homage to the films it steals from, to the tricks and tropes it lovingly and generously employs. And you can get people to sit through anything, but you can't necessarily get people to like anything. This shit works because it's good. Writers Carey and Chad Hayes and director James Wan are fiddling with the familiar, but their selective eye is so precise and astute that they know exactly what to borrow and whom to borrow from. So you've seen those jump scares a dozen times already, and the chase through the house and into the woods, the face appearing in the mirror... Forget those. The Conjuring takes the horror conventions which not only scared you first time around, but impressed you, and lasted with you. Its dedication to forming a good horror movie is what actually makes it, technically, a good movie in general. And James Wan is certainly not wanting for dedication. He wrings every drop of drama out of this sodding wet sheet. Thus, if a scene suddenly demands a tonal switch to sentimentality, he obliges, and the wistful smiles spring up and the corny soundtrack swells, and there's not a hint that tongue is anywhere near cheek. If that's aggravating, at least you can't say he didn't try. And anyway, it makes The Conjuring's key moments all the better: note how there's no sex, no swearing, and yet this is R-rated. Wan was tasked with making it PG-13, but even the MPAA declared the final version so scary that they couldn't recommend cuts as none would be viable. And when Wan lets loose in the batshit finale, you'll be darn pleased this ain't no PG-13. Points off for being an even bigger advertisement for the catholic church than The Exorcist, and for... sorry... not actually scaring me. I'm a weird case with horror. I can appreciate the skill that went into making The Conjuring, but I was barely even slightly unsettled.
The Conjuring gives an adrenaline rush to your body with few scary scenes and spooky moments. Only I wish , it could have been more. Couple of scenes will give you a jilt - The scenes where evil starts unraveling on the family , the moment Warrens enters the house and realizes the evil spirit latching on the family and finally the last exorcism scene has been filmed brilliantly. Cinematoography is good. Art direction is enduring. Editing is tight. It is Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are the soul of the film especially Farmiga. She is fill of expression and gives in a great performance as Lorraine. Overall , a spooky thriller which has some scary scenes to entertain you along with strong direction , powerful screenplay and outstanding performances. A Must watch 3.5/5
ReplyDeleteA must watch! Then 3.5?
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