Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Conjuring (2013) Review

4/5

This is the special advanced review I had mentioned, being posted a full 10 days ahead of its release. Luckily, it was worth an hour-and-a-half drive, a near failure in a tunnel and a boatload of MTA fares as we crossed state lines. This film, in short, is great.
This is a film where the less you know going in, the better. If a trailer comes on and you are around then you should leave and look away. That being said, I will comment on a few general themes of the film without revealing anything.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren gather evidence to support a family's claim that their house is haunted. Basic plot, moving on. It may not sound as original as it is.
James Wan is some kind of mastermind. Having helmed the first Saw (my favorite Saw and the one of most value) and Insidious (which is more terrifying than this film), he has indeed singled himself out as the leading mind in smart horror films. He moves the camera in ways that amplify the dark tonal atmosphere, providing close-ups when all we want to see is the setting and vice versa. He builds us up, and pushes us off a cliff. He is a good, no, great filmmaker.
The acting from all corners is superb. They're meant for this kind of stuff, especially Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson who pull no stops; they are committed. They know how to do this kind of work and do it very well. The supporting cast are equally game and are willing to go the extra mile to achieve the mood of this film.
There are some points where information is too quickly thrown at the audience in an attempt to get back at the fun stuff, and what that does is raise questions. This is not a totally negative thing, but it would have been a more complete film if all corners were given the proper attention. That being said, there was a very spirited conversation between my friend and I as we traveled back so perhaps the lack of information was intentional. It could have been explored in a tasteful way.
There are smart scares here, yet what I would call this is not a "scary movie" but a "thriller." It is smart, and when it wants to it does rattle you, but the supreme accomplishment in this film is the fact that it had my heart racing for more than three-quarters of its running time. It is intense, and not for the faint of heart. I implore you to take the plunge because, if for nothing else, it's a damn good time at the movies.

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