The Conjuring

****
Release Date: August 2nd 2013

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

Director: James Wan (Saw, Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2)

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga

James Wan has had a very busy year (2013), bringing out the improved second chapter to Insidious, the high grossing FAF6, and this, The Conjuring, his latest spectacle. As this is a late review, some readers may be aware that there's a sequel on the way, and deservedly so.

The difference between the two (compared to IC2) is The Conjuring is convincing. Hollywood has churned out plenty of paranormal films of late (Paranormal Activity, The Devil Inside), none of which hold much credibility.

Based on true case files of the Warrens, the story starts off strong but like Insidious, drifts a little towards the end. The Warrens visit the Perron family, who've recently moved in to their new farmhouse. There's little time to get to know them, especially as there are seven of them. Instead, Wan dives straight in to the plot. The house is haunted, and the spirit/s have attached themselves to the family. The Warrens are called on to help resolve the problem.

We see cliches used impressively, and with greater impact. A mix of fine sound editing and great cinematography mean scares are in the right places. Low key lighting to the point of blindness adds to the edgy, bum-on-the-edge-of-your-seat entertainment. The acting is believable, never drifting away from the seriousness surrounding the story.

The Conjuring still comes with niggles. The ending's exorcism disrupts the momentum by going way overboard, and ends up blasting a heavy load off in a short space of time that shifts from scary to ridiculous. At least, and unlike Insidious, we are kept in the deep confines of our imagination, rather than exposing the paranormal threat. It's better that we're left to our own devices and our own conjuring, and Wan happily leaves it alone.

Overview: Easily one of the best horrors of 2013. Full of lots of jumpy moments. Go in with a tough stomach.