The Conjuring 4K UHD Review
“The Conjuring” is one of the best horror films of the 2010’s.
Written by Chad and Carey W. Hayes, 2013’s “The Conjuring” is based on real events and real people. Largely set in 1971, the story involves Roger and Carolyn Perron moving into a farmhouse with their 5 daughters (April, Andrea, Cindy, Nancy and Christine) and dog (Sadie). The problems begin almost immediately. Sadie dies, Carolyn notices skin bruises, doors open, strange apparitions are seen, bad smells pop up, voices are heard, a strange boarded off cellar is discovered, etc. As matters become increasingly more unsettling to the point where the family is endangered, Carolyn seeks out the help of paranormal investigators/demonologists/authors Lorraine and Ed Warren. Upon stepping into the house, Lorraine (a clairvoyant) gets a seriously bad vibe. After some research, Ed and Lorraine discover the house has a seriously disturbing and violent past. The house needs an exorcism and fast, but the situation worsens when Carolyn becomes possessed.
It goes without saying that director James Wan is perhaps the most important filmmaker in horror in the past 25 years. He’s created not one or two, but three horror franchises with “Saw,” “Insidious,” and, of course, “The Conjuring.” Upon its release, “The Conjuring” instantly solidified itself as a genuinely scary movie with legitimate jump scares and a highly unnerving atmosphere. It’s a haunted house movie and a possession movie all rolled into one. Let’s not forget the creepy Annabelle doll either! Admittedly, the film loses a bit of its luster after the first viewing. You can’t replicate the freaked out feelings you felt with that first viewing. Still, even on rewatch, it remains an intense horror ride and is still easily one of the best horror films of the past 15 years.
Even though there was a ton of controversy and skepticism about Ed and Lorraine Warren, there’s no question that their lives and experiences make for a heck of a film franchise. Between the haunted item collection, their marriage, and their years of experience in the paranormal field, there’s so much to explore there on screen. Although the fourth and final film (“The Conjuring: Last Rites”) has yet to be seen, the first film remains the best of the series because it really did justice to everything the story is juggling (not to mention scaring the pants off viewers).
The cast is fantastic. Anytime you see the always underrated Ron Livingston in a movie, chances are high you’re in for a good time. The often underused Lili Taylor shines as Carolyn. Patrick Wilson (Ed) and Vera Farmiga (Lorraine) were born to play the roles. Look out for a young Joey King as Christine too.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.40:1 2160p. How does it look? The long overdue 4K upgrade is finally here and the results are impressive. The image clarity is noticeably sharper throughout.
Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? A more advanced track would have been preferred, but this is still effective in all of the right spots.
Extras:
* Digital copy
* “Scariest Of Them All”- The cast talks about their favorite scary moments from the film alongside new interviews and set footage.
* “Reflections On The Conjuring”- Another new extra in which cast and crew reflect on the film, its production, and certain scenes. Behind-the-scenes footage is included.
* “The Conuring: Face-To-Face With Fear”- Lorraine Warren and the Perron family talk about the real life events.
* “A Life In Demonology”- A featurette on Lorraine and Ed Warren, their haunted item collection, and “The Conjuring.”
* “Scaring The “@$*%” Out Of You” is all about James Wan’s various elements of scaring the audience.
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