Phil sees THE CONJURING 2 from New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures - July 12, 2016

When I first saw THE CONJURING back in 2013, I said it was "The best horror film of the year." I just recently rewatched the film and it still made my skin crawl, even in the comfort of my home. That right there is the power of film and it proves that filmmaker James Wan is the master of supernatural horror. Fast forward to this past weekend and the sequel THE CONJURING 2 is finally released to theaters and yours truly went to his local cinema and sat near the front so as to absorb all the horror that was projected onto the silver screen.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: In 1977, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively) travel to London, England, where single mother Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor) believes that something evil is in her home. When Peggy's youngest daughter Janet (Madison Wolfe) starts showing signs of demonic possession, Ed and Lorraine attempt to help the besieged girl, only to find themselves targeted by the malicious spirits.

James Wan has accomplished a rare and difficult feat: he made a sequel that is better than the original. That is very hard to do, especially in this day and age. Films like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE GODFATHER PART II and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY are all perfect examples of when the sequel far surpasses the original in every way. So congratulations to Mr. Wan for this outstanding g and rare accomplishment.

Wan takes what made the first film so terrifying and cranks up to twelve. He's attention to detail is without question. From the fantastic 1970's inspired intro credits to the set-ups for his jump scares to the simple framing with disturbing sounds and music to build up the tension within a scene, Wan is, in my humble opinion, one of the best horror directors of the past twenty years and ranks among those legendary, iconic filmmakers like George Romero, John Carpenter, Tobe Hoper, Wes Craven and Dario Argento.

The film offers both familiarities and new additions for fans. Both Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return once again as Ed and Lorraine Warren, once again displaying their fanatic on-screen chemistry. However this time they are sent over to London to investigate a haunted house that has been terrorizing the Hodgson family. More specifically, this poltergeist is interested in the youngest daughter Janet and will stop at nothing till she is its new host. A huge round of applause to child actress Madison Wolfe, who puts in one the best performances ever in a horror film. Not since young Linda Blair in THE EXORCIST has a child been this horrifyingly disturbing. 

Originally, there were early reports indicating that the film was going to focus on the Amityville Investigation, which was the case that made the Warrens a household name was well as the inspiration for the 1979 horror film classic THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. The film is actually about the the equally scary Enfield Poultergeist which plagued the Hodgson's Brimsdown home in Enfield, England in the late 70's. During the film's end credits, the actual pictures of the family as well as pictures of the haunting are shown, which look absolutely authentic to this viewer.

THE CONJURING 2 is the best horror film of 2016 and the best horror sequel of the last 30 years!! If you want be scared out of your mind that you'll be sleeping with the lights on for the next two weeks, the you need to see this film!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Very highly recommend!!

THE CONJURING 2 is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Century Greenback 16 in Sacramento. Check your local listing to see if it is playing at a theater near you.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!