wow

Rating: 8/10 (29 August 2016)

i did not watch the first film, because, generally speaking, i need to be dragged in chains to any theater showing horror films.
But The Conjuring (2) has all the things i love in a good film; it's perfectly cast, the production is exceptional, the direction, sound editing, pacing, writing, dialogue, costumes (!!!), it's all really some of the best i have seen in .. quite a few years. And on top of it, it has that charm of the horror films of the 80s, before gore and silly monsters took center stage.
However, it's not quite The Ring. I'm sorry if i have to be dismissive .. this is a really good film. It's really that i'm no good at judging horror films.
Actually, that's not quite true.
See, for example; i love the film The Ring. I would recommend everyone to watch it, because the way the story is built, the writing choices that were made, make it into a masterpiece.
The Conjuring is not like that; it's a classic, old-skool scary-stuff film. It goes through the motions, instead of breaking new ground. It does so masterfully, and it's a pleasure to watch, but the scary stuff kinda gets in the way of everything else. It's really the same story as The Amityville Horror - and also of every scare-jump film made in the past 20 years.
So, here is my advice: if you are into horror films, go immediately to watch this awesome film. On the other hand, if you are not, then skip it. I cannot repeat enough times how well made this film is (aside from a single really bad CGI use), but you would probably get annoyed at the horror bits more than you are amused by the production.
i'm having a hard time vote this film properly, but i would give it at least 8/10 - incredibly well done.