FSfilmblog

I finally got round to watching The Conjuring the other day and my word, was it impressive. It reminded me a lot of the old horror films I use to watch when I was younger. A lot of jump scares and quiet then loud moments but the overall the film succeeds because of it's use of older and simpler techniques. I think a lot of modern audiences have forgotten how to feel scared.

The story is based on a true story(!) about a family moving into a new home where strange occurrences start to befall the family members. They contact a paranormal team wife and husband Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) to investigate. What the couple encounter is something more deadlier than they could ever imagined.

With all types of movies based on true stories, as an audience member you can either believe everything you see as fact or take it with a pinch of salt. If you take the former belief then the movie may take on more meaning and shocks and scares may make you feel more....well uneasy. Though saying that if you are a non believable, the story can still provide you with feeling of unease and creepiness.

What works well in this entertaining yarn is it's ability to surprise you with jumps and scares that you think are coming then don't and when they do, it's executed very well. As a fan of the genre I found myself jumping at few choice moments (even though I could tell they something was about to happen). Some of the scares come from implied/suggestive moments like in one scene where two of the daughters are woken up by something and one of the daughters believe that that thing is behind the door, and as an audience member you imagination runs wild as you wait for something to come out only for the door to slam shut and for your heart to miss a beat. It's a cheap trick but very effective. There is little to no gore in this film so gore hounds will be very disappointed.

The acting is uniformly strong in this film with everyone playing their parts straight and with conviction. The director has done his homework too and uses old tricks from classic horror films which he implements with a assurance and aplomb. For those of you who haven't seen old school horror films, this will be a great introduction, and for those of you who have, you can fondly remember how we all use to be scared at the things that go bump in the night and the darkness that lie in the corners of every room.

From the team that bought us the horror anthologies V/H/S and The ABC's of Death, comes a story about a family get together being interrupted by what seems to be a random attack from animal mask wearing killers. As each family member gets picked off, one of the family guests emerges with an instinctive survival nature to fight back. It's been a long wait for this home invasion horror film to make it's way to the big screen yet normally this would ring alarm bells as to why there has been such a long delay for it's release. The apparent reason behind this is the lack of interest from distributors willing to take a chance.

Now, there isn't anything new or original in the story/plot but what is done on screen is carried out and executed brilliantly. Majority of the characters are paper thin in detail and most come off as horrible and/or unsympathetic beings that you want to see bite the bullet. One does suspect though this is what the filmmakers wanted us to feel.

As the family members bicker on what to do when the first of them is swiftly shot down by a an arrow, the film suddenly shows it's diabolically dark humour. When they argue about who is to run for help, they debate on each others physical statue or how one brother won't make it because of his size, you realise that the film has injected and splice in a family drama amongst a horror film. It's this strange mix which gives the film it's uniquely engaging entertainment.

The film does have it's fair share of cheap scares (characters off screen suddenly appearing, or quiet then loud moments) but it's to be expected. Though the way in which most of the family members are set up, you'll gladly cheer for them to die in the most brutal way possible. The positive points for the film has to go to the mask the killers wear. They are a master stroke in how to make something look pretty creepy and disturbing (unfortunately when the mask comes off, the sense of fear and panic does wains).

The setting and location is visually striking and menacing, it's isolation and remoteness fuels the nightmarish subject matter. The actors are passable, no famous stars you would recognise unless you are au fait with horror films (glad to see Ms Barbara Crampton back on the big screen). A hugely enthralling and enjoyable film which also has a satisfying ending. Go in with an open mind and prepare to laugh as well as being terrified.

The 2nd instalment of the new generation cast to cement their feet into the shoes of well established characters, settings and the famous ship, the Starship Enterprise. In the hands of JJ Abrams, the franchise is on the right course to expand and attract new fans. There will always be the die hard fans (and I'm not talking about the Bruce Willis films here guys!) who will object to their beloved characters and universe going in a different direction or in a particular style.

This is a reboot, get over it. If people are so objectionable over the way the Star Trek mythology is handled you can go back to your Star Trek: The Motion Picture and your Star Trek Insurrection's and remember how dull and awfully slow they were. Those films will never be able to convert non fans to the franchise but this one and the previous chapter will, I for one, am on board and can not wait to see how things continue you develop.

The sequel opens up with a bang as the crew (and the audience) are hurtled straight into danger. Kirk and co, are on a planet trying to save it's alien inhabitants from an erupting volcano. When things call for a drastic and immediate decision, Kirk disobeys Star Fleet code of ethics and saves the day. Unfortunately his superiors (and Spock) do not agree. Believing he will be assigned to a 5year exploration of deep space, he is instead call up to be reprimanded and loses his captaincy of the ship. Meanwhile in London, we are introduced to the mysterious John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) who coerces a Star Fleet Officer with a promise to save his dying daughter for an exchange of a favour...I could go on with the plot, but it's safe to say it's up to the crew to stop Harrison's plot and there are plenty of twist and turns which will keep the viewers on their seat.

All the cast return and put on their best impersonation of these well loved (and known) characters, some getting more screen time (Scotty) while others are reduces to little dialogue and actions (Sulu, Chekov and Bones) but that isn't really a criticism. If the characters were all given the same or more things to do, the film's run time would easily exceed 3+ hours. As it is, most of them are reduced to what their designated status and skill sets are to progress the plot's natural progression.

The main leads do perform an admirable display and imbue their characters with a lot of depth and emotion. There is a genuine connection that the audience can feel between Kirk and Spock. Benedict Cumberbatch's villain is a great deal more than a maniacal menace. There is a reason for his vengeance against Star Fleet and there is a great deal of control to his performance which is never over the top and provides the viewer with sympathy to his cause.

There are nods and winks to the Star Trek lore, (with the most apparent coming near the end) and there is an utter respect to the old films and series. Things which both old and new fans can both enjoy and appreciate. What is totally different is the pacing of theses films. There isn't many scenes where some explosion or action sequence is on show, but that is punctuated with very talky, science fiction dialogue as it cuts back and forth between action and drama. It works very well.

Is this a better film than the previous effort. No. It's a continuation to the series which opens up many doors for it's characters and world to go into. It's a solid encounter for the crew of the Enterprise with a very polished finish (lens flair still intact!). It's an entertaining ride with some great touches of humour and dramatic performances, with plenty on offer for everyone.