A sequel as sinister as its predecessor

Rating: 10/10 (8 July 2016)

The Sinister Synopsis: Six years following the infernal investigation of the Perron household haunting, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga, "Bates Motel") are back to take on a case more sinister than ever before. With evil making its way to the serene London community of Enfield, Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor), a single mother of four, calls upon the Warrens' expertise in helping her youngest daughter, Janet (Madison Wolfe), overcome the perilous possession that's all too familiar for Ed and Lorraine. The only thing the Warrens don't realize is that they're dealing with an unprecedented power so cynical, that even their own vulnerability may get the very best of them.
The Diabolical Desire: Much like director James Wan's initial installment of "The Conjuring" (2013), there are plenty of positive qualities throughout. From the credibility of each and every character (especially Wilson and Farmiga, who never lost a single beat from their initial portrayal of our beloved demon experts), to the cinematography that sends a spine-tingling sensation all in its own artistic way. Having the supernatural sub-genre infamous for its heavy use of CGI, "Conjuring 2" wholeheartedly relies mainly on practical effects, most notably The Crooked Man, portrayed by Javier Botet, that seemingly looks computer generated, but is all the more natural with his creepy, spontaneous movements. Even the soundtrack carries an effective vibe from The Hollies' "Bus Stop" to Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" that's necessary for the film's time period (even Wilson's own cover of the song is quite plausible).
The Rancid Reaction: When it comes to the negative notations of the film, there's really not too much to indite into this department. Even for the film's 134-minute duration, the pace is just enough to keep you attentive on the horror that awaits. Also, like said before, even the film's lesser use of CGI and "jumpy" scare tactics actually works to its advantage, unlike the majority of attempts in its class.
The Axed Addendum: Another interesting point about the film is its homage to the notorious Amityville haunting. The intro recaps Wan's reincarnation of the malicious murders of Ronald DeFeo, and the subsequent haunting of the Lutz family where the Warrens dipped their toes into a nightmare deemed the most menacing of their encounters, until...