Amazingly Portrayed Supernatural Horror... Based On A True Story!?

Rating: 9/10 (27 June 2016)

James Wan emerges from the séance to bring us this spine-tingling horror, as it grips it's audiences behind their back and possesses them with the terrifying masterpiece that is 'The Conjuring'.
The movie tells the story of the true case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren about the 'Perron' family who moved into a Rhode island farm house and began experiencing terrifying hauntings and other events, some seemingly 'friendly' (a boy named 'Manny' would watch the children's everyday lives in amusement, only to leave once made eye contact) and others who had more malevolent intentions including physically harming the family. moving objects, and also possession (Bathsheba Sherman, a former owner of the house, practicing Satanist and witch). It was not long after the family moved into the new home to realize why they were advised to "leave the lights on at night" by the previous owners...
Firstly, let's talk about the conventions of supernatural horror this movie possesses. We already understand the supernatural is something that many people would disregard as make-belief, whereas others marvel at or even treat it as a serious matter, although it can't be scientifically proved or defined as true. Unlike other horror movies, The Conjuring challenges that fact with the story-line and also the opening credits stating it's based on true events. To make this even more terrifying, the story is based around an old farm house in Rhode Island. Of course James Wan would have enjoyed taking advantage of the ol' haunted house cliché with the overly used creaking of a door, curtains fluttering in the breeze, figures at the other end of a corridor, all that lovely-horrific goodness.
As expected, we have those typical jump-scares and sound effects we all love from James Wan (even if you don't want to admit it). Nonetheless, It's clear to see Wan is going for something alternative or unique in this movie. Something that comes across as more malevolent or intimidating to audiences to express the theme of a 'true story' . This is shown by the haunting occurrences and events in this movie that reflect on the effects of an evil force or entity can have on such a normal, happy family. Thus making this movie so haunting and terrifying.
The development of the structure and story of this movie was also something I thoroughly enjoyed. Like most other horror movies, the main apparitions are revealed to us later in the story. Beginning with the subtle/confusing occurrences which opens the audience up to the wonder of what is going on, with the contrast of one big, massive plate of "Nope!". Whereas later in the movie we are revealed more of what is happening. With this movie however, we see that James Wan has taken this usual convention and blended it with his own unique creativity and the true story of what happened to add that extra sprinkle of terrifying unexpectedness. After watching the movie 'Insidious' before this one (which was also directed by Wan), it was clear to see the development on creating a supernatural horror to this quality, and the way Wan keeps and improves on the theme of 'fear of the unknown'.
As if the real life story in juxtaposition with the plot development wasn't amazing enough, everybody would agree the camera work, visual/special effects, and sound design is stunningly flawless. The way this movie manages to use these effects to drag the audiences into the movie as if they were experiencing the terrors for themselves, while also adjusting to the unique style of supernatural horror is just one reason alone enough to go and witness this movie. Although we can't just give Wan all the limelight, hats off to the other cast and crew who made it possible!
Although just as any movie has trapped within, I believe there are a few downsides which could have possibly been improved on for further enjoyment and added extra effectiveness. What I would have liked to have seen with my 'very own eyes' is more character development amongst the 'Perron' family. The story of this movie is based upon the hauntings and terrors which happened to these non-fictional characters. They are also a seemingly nice, happy family audiences can relate to. Although this was a clear open- door opportunity for the movie to really scare it's audiences just that little bit extra, the movie decides to take the 'Warren's' path and focus more on the paranormal investigator's character's (Ed and Lorraine) in which are also non-fictional characters. Granted I loved the way Ed and Lorraine's characters are portrayed stunningly by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga and also they're appearance in the 1968 Annabelle Higgins case, I believe with this movie running at a standard 112 minutes it possibly could have used a little more character development and focus on the Perrons for added effectiveness.
If you are interested in watching this movie, I would also recommend staying away from some trailers, many are demonic enough to contain big parts of the movie you need to see for yourself in the movie, not during an advertisement.
IN SUMMARY Overall, I believe this movie amazingly portrays in it's own originality: a terrifying and haunting true-story which will leave you on the edge of your seat (or creaking rocking- chair) until the very end. I believe also, most viewers listen to the previous owners of the house quoted from the real story to 'leave the lights on at night' after seeing this movie. Horror-lover or not, I strongly advise you to see this movie with your very own eyes. If you loved this movie, you also will not be disappointed after watching the sequel.
Although the trailers do not give away all of the frightening scenes (no where near), if you enjoy surprises and suspense... I would limit yourself to watching them.