They’re back! Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as paranormal investigators, Lorraine and Ed Warren. The pair previously probed the Amityville horrors. In “The Conjuring 2,” they learn of a single mother of four in a working-class London neighborhood whose house is haunted by evil spirits. One child in particular is targeted. Lorraine has grown weary of the emotional and physical strain of their investigations, but hubby Ed convinces her to join him in taking on the London challenge.
“The Conjuring 2” is too good to miss and gets a See It! rating. It grabs viewers right away with a fascinating—and frightening—revisit to the Amityville case. This opening effectively introduces or reintroduces the story and two main characters of “The Conjuring” film franchise.
However, after a fast start this movie drags a little bit, which could have been avoided by more effective editing. Much of the success of the story rests with Farmiga and Wilson as the Warrens. They are a likable pair, although maybe a little too syrupy and too perfect. They are an attractive couple, obviously very much in love, and very respectful of each other’s opinion. Ed is never wrong, can sing like Elvis, can fix anything and is afraid of nothing.
“The Conjuring 2” is also successful because of the outstanding performance of Madison Wolfe, who plays Janet Hodgson, the child in London that the malevolent forces embody.
Without giving away too much of the story, I like the fact that unlike other horror films, in which the wicked spirits show themselves only to a few characters, thus creating a much larger group of disbelievers, here these evil souls show up for anyone coming to the house.
And a basic requirement of a horror film is to be scary. “The Conjuring 2” will make you jump more than Kris Kross.
It’s difficult to give this film a diversity rating because it’s based upon a true story and the characters are probably represented racially as they were in real life. There are not a lot of people of color in this movie other than in background scenes.
“The Conjuring 2” is more than two hours long, which is too much of a good thing. But it’s a solid and entertaining horror flick, and it’s enhanced by the fact that it’s based on a true story.
It’s rated R and it’s a See It!