Movie Review: The Conjuring 2

Rarely does a sequel match up to the original; rarer for a horror movie. It’s a different matter that I’m mostly disappointed when I walk out of the theatre after watching one. Blame it on the direction or the lack of jump-in-your-seat moments or just that, I tend to expect a lot from the genre. But Director James Wan is an exception. Be it the ‘Insidious’ movies (first two) or ‘The Conjuring’, there is a certain style he has which goes well when it comes to horror. ‘The Conjuring’ (2013) was a big success in India as well and hence, the expectations.

To give its due, the sequel works to an extent. Based on Ed and Lorraine Warren’s true paranormal investigations, this one begins like the first movie with a separate case (the Amityville incident which has been filmed quite a few times) and then tells us the story of the Hodgson family who have been experiencing something evil. Storytelling is similar and it all happens like it did in ‘The Conjuring’. But this one doesn’t create the impact that you might be expecting as the drama tends to go a little overboard; it dips in between.

Horror movie buffs just might not find it scary enough even if there are some eerie scenes during the first few reels and the climax. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles of Ed and Lorraine Warren well. It is only because of their performances that the romantic angle doesn’t feel stretched in a horror flick.

• About the Author

About Abhirup Dhar

I don't watch movies... I live them! Let me introduce myself. Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and is still being brought up in India. A banker by profession, he is filmy to the core and is passionate about reviewing movies and writing. He likes to live on his own… he likes to be blunt, sarcastic, famous, infamous, confident, over-confident, moody at times… he likes to be himself. He is imperfect because perfection is boring. His love for movies dates back to his childhood days when he studied in a boarding school. A three-month Winter Vacation every year… and he made sure he watched as many movies then. Parents thought it was a phase... he knew it was Passion and he knew it back then itself. The craziness to watch movies on the Big Screen began during the last two years of school when he literally bunked to town so that he could catch up with the new Hindi Movie releases. Some thought he was plain crazy. He confirmed it was Passion... yet again. The hard fact is that not always can you walk a path you are passionate about. You have expectations to fulfill and Life to be made. But Life gives you chances and you have to grab them. So... here is he... your friendly critic who will be giving you his Verdict every week so that you can decide which release is worth your moolah and which is not! See you at the Movies! Stay connected at Facebook and Twitter!