The Conjuring

The Conjuring has gotten a lot of favorable press thus far and has already more than doubled its production budget at the box office with more than $50 million in ticket sales. Obviously people love to go to the theater to be scared!  And this film certainly delivers on the fright factor!! In case you don't know anything about it, The Conjuring tells the story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who work to help a family terrorized by an evil presence in their Rhode Island home. When forced to confront the demonic force, the Warrens find themselves involved in the most terrifying case of their careers.  The Conjuring is based on real events and Lorraine Warren even consulted on the film.

Here's the issue with this film...James Wan, director of Saw and Insidious, has directed a PG-13 film that received an R rating from the MPAA.  Though Wan gives us a pretty frightening film, it falls a bit short of its potential.  If the crew had expected to receive an R rating, they might not have pulled some punches and could have truly delivered a more impactful movie. It just doesn't quite get there.

Despite its shortcomings, The Conjuring does a great job of scaring you with creepy sound effects, dramatic camera angles, pulse-pounding music, and the actors' performances rather than relying on the spectacular CGI and gore that so many modern horror films resort to these days.  The Conjuring, playing to its strengths of suspense and tension, slowly builds toward the finish with the highlight of the film coming in the final 15 minutes with an admittedly disturbing, heart-in-the-throat exorcism scene.

The Conjuring does not pack the punch and unforgettable experience of The Exorcist. Nor does it carry the emotional weight and terror of The Amityville Horror, which curiously enough the Warrens were also involed in investigating. (There's even a clever nod to the 1979 classic.)  However, if you're a fan of the genre, you will probably enjoy it. Grab some popcorn, curl up next to someone, and prepare to jump out of your seat.  In my ordinary opinion, it's one the best horror films to hit the silver screen in the last few years.