If I could rate less than a 1, I would.

Rating: 1/10 (18 July 2011)

Initially, I set out to watch this movie because I'd heard from many, many people how scary it was, and frankly, my goal was to justify my position that they were all wussies.
Well, the joke was on me.
I was right, everyone I know is a chicken, this movie is not scary. But, it's also not even remotely entertaining.
I had hopes I'd at least enjoy it, as I've quite enjoyed some of the previous offerings by Wan and Whannell. Now, I'm just angry at Wan and Whannell for dropping the ball so very, very badly. I suspect they owe someone money, and this is what they did to get it.
Find below an enumerated list of my major complaints:
1) I know nothing is really "new" anymore, but this is basically nothing but Poltergeist with Astral projection. Boring.
2) Astral projection? Seriously? Come on. And the Dad being able to do it too? How convenient. Not quite a Deux ex Machina, but close enough to leave a bad taste in my mouth.
3) While I'm on astral projection... I realize that it's difficult to "film" that concept, but seriously, walking around in a house? That's the least convincing depiction of astral projection anyone has ever come up with. Seriously. Horrible. Did anyone think that was GOOD?
4) Fist fighting while astrally projecting? Come on.
5) Contrary to popular belief, not all North American audiences are drooling morons, and we don't need to see things like the red door, and then him flashing back to the drawing of the red door. We didn't forget seeing the drawings guys... we made the connection. Also, again with the horse. I don't like my movies spoon fed to me, thanks.
6) The demon looks like Darth Maul. The only thing scary about Darth Maul is how many people went to see that other snooze fest of a movie on the big screen, including me twice. If they'd been able to reanimate Tiny Tim as the demon to go along with his music, it would have been a lot more frightening than the demon they had.
So, there were only two things I enjoyed in the entirety of the movie. Two. That's it.
1) The creepy smiling people in the house. They look fun, and I'd invite them to dinner.
2) I'm glad the father came back possessed. Though I was hoping it'd happen to the kid too. But hey, gotta punk out for the North American audiences, right? Can't do that to a kid. Blah.
The end is the only thing that saves this from a total zero.
.5