Monday, November 4, 2013


The Conjuring (2013)

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver

Director: James Wan

Synopsis: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Based on the cases worked by the Warren family, this film reveals the details of one such case that was deemed too frightening to previously discuss. In this film by director James Wan, Ed and Lorraine Warren must help a family combat the demonic forces that torment them in their home.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5/5 Reels


Review:

James Wan has had a history of creating truly horrifying films (Saw 2004; Dead Silence 2007; Insidious 2010) in his career and continues to do so here with The Conjuring. Using the true story of the hauntings that troubled the Perron family in 1971, he has created a rather dark portrayal of their experience that is sure to give many viewers nightmares.
           
The story starts out with the Perron family moving into a new farmhouse in Rhode Island out in the middle of nowhere with plenty of land for their children to run around. But what seems like a nice family experience quickly transitions to a disturbing sequence of events. This drives Roger Perron (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor) to reach out to a couple of “demon hunters,” Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), to come and rescue them from the demonic forces that oppress them. This film, based on a true story, does not disappoint when it comes to delivering fear to the audience.
           
All of the actors seem to fit perfectly with what Wan is trying to create. Only one of these actors (Patrick Wilson) has worked for Wan before.  Their work together has come on quite a few other projects (Insidious 2010; Insidious: Chapter 2 2013). Wilson does a phenomenal part in this film and also shows that he has quite a skillset that is suitable for horror films. I could not imagine anybody else portraying Ed Warren the way that he does. The rest of the cast members, while little known, do a suitable job as well being able to connect emotionally to the horror that is going on around them.
           
While this film has a total running time of 112 minutes, the director does an amazing job in not making the film too short or even too long. This film tells the story of the Perron family the way that it is meant to be told. There are not any instances where the plot seems to drag on. From the opening sequence to the conclusion, my attention was held. The plot is consistent and every scene has relevance to it. In most horror films that I have seen, the introductory scenes seem to drag on and on. But that is not the case with The Conjuring. They are quick to introduce the characters and the problem as well.
           
While it is quite difficult to find a film that truly terrifies the audience over and over again, The Conjuring did this for me. The filmmakers were able to create a truly dark, terrifying, and often time cringe-worthy movie viewing experience. For fans of horror films, this is definitely a must see.





By Ben Garner

{ 5 comments... read them below or Comment }

  1. This review is great! I totally loved the movie as well! I've never screamed so loud during a horror movie. Director did a great job! This is a must see!

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  2. good review! I definitely loved this movie because I love being scared and also I enjoyed the anticipation this movie makes one feel. Keeps you engaged and foreshadowing the next event. Strongly suggest this movie.

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  3. This review really encompasses the movie very well. I am normally not a fan of scary movies, but I would definitely recommend seeing this. I enjoyed the Conjuring because it wasn't just some gory slasher movie but it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This movie was definitely terrifying. James Wan and the entire cast do this genre justice with this film.

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  4. I love scary movies, and the preview for this film had me jumping so I was really looking forward to seeing the film! I am not a huge fan of exorcist type movies, because they never get it right - James Wan got it right! I loved it, and I completely agree with you in that the movie holds the audience's attention the entire way through, nothing seems too slow, and my heart was definitely racing the entire time because it was so scary!

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  5. Awesome review! I remember watching this and thinking the same thing, it is dark and horrifying and everything that is good in a good scary movie. It was defiantly deserving 5/5! And I totally agree with the assessment of the actors as well.

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