Cert 15
134 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong horror
I am no longer a newspaper editor and while I am not retiring I am certainly intending to spend more time in the cinema (is that possible?).
Therefore, my first task is to catch up with some of the big 2016 hits which I have not seen so far.
First up, is The Conjuring 2 and the second outing for Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Lorraine and Ed Warren who were real-life American paranormal investigators.
The pair became famous for their work at Amityville which spawned this movie's predecessor.
At the helm again is James Wan, the director who brought us the original Saw and the Insidious trilogy.
His reputation for quality horror is deserved (although the Insidious follow-ups have been well below par) and, in my opinion, he has hit the mark this time.
I judge this on the five times I leapt from my seat - a very good tally indeed.
The Conjuring 2 is based on the Warrens' intervention in the infamous haunting of a council house in Enfield in the late 1970s.
It begins with a seance during which Lorraine is frightened to her wits' end by the premonition of Ed's death and the vision of a demonic nun.
Shortly afterwards, against her better judgment, she and her husband are persuaded by the church to go to the home of the Hodgsons in north London.
There they find the spirit of an old man honing in on a young girl (Madison Wolfe).
Despite the protestations of her mum (Frances O'Connor) there are many doubters who believe the girl is at the centre of an elaborate hoax.
However, the Warrens are alarmed to discover that things go with a very big bang in the night and that their lives as well as those of the Hodgsons are put at risk.
Wan knows all the levers to create accomplished cinematic horror and the combination of the Enfield haunting's real-life features allow him to show off his full range.
Meanwhile, Varmiga and Wilson make a compelling team, supported by those playing the desperate family.
My only criticisms were that the film was a little too overwrought at times and I was baffled by the strange selection of background music which seemed largely out of keeping with 1977 when the movie was set.
Reasons to watch: a horror which really does make the audience jump
Reasons to avoid: becomes a bit overwrought at time
Laughs: none
Jumps: five
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7.5/10
Star tweet
James Wan Are the eyes the windows to the soul, or the windows are the eyes to the soul?? #Amityville #Conjuring2
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