Annabelle 2 : La Création du mal

Have an appreciation for horror and there are a fair share of good to classic ones in the genre as well as a fair share of not so good and even downright bad ones. Really liked both 'The Conjuring' films so watched 'Annabelle', which was inevitably compared to them a lot, and found myself disappointingly not caring all that much for it (while not detesting it).

Saw 'Annabelle: Creation' after hearing that it was a much better film and also that it looked quite good. After seeing it, it is agreed that it is a far superior film to 'Annabelle' in most areas. There are still faults here and major ones and it's not my definition of great, but whereas 'Annabelle' was lacklustre this just scraped above average and what 'Annabelle' didn't do well in this does much better. It has clearly not worked for some and that is understandable.

'Annabelle: Creation' as aforementioned has issues. The dialogue is still very awkward-sounding and banal, doing little with developing rather clichéd characters, and while the familiarity of the story didn't bother me actually (although there are certainly predictable moments, and a little over-simplicity going on) the ridiculousness and illogic of the final third was less forgivable.

Likewise with the ending, that was as rushed and anti-climactic as that for 'Annabelle'. Stephanie Sigman overacts a bit too.

However, 'Annabelle: Creation' is a good looking film, with a great Gothic atmosphere, lush and darkly atmospheric production design and stylish photography. The supernatural effects are surprisingly excellent too. The music is haunting and the direction brings a genuine eeriness and mysteriousness, as well as much more momentum and ease, that was not there in 'Annabelle'.

Where 'Annabelle: Creation' is vastly superior in too is that it is scarier and more interesting. There may not be an awful lot novel, but there are some nice jolty shocks, the odd unsettling surprise and some genuine suspense and dread on particularly a psychological level. There is far more momentum here and the pace is tighter. The story intrigues, while the characters may not be the best developed but they at least have personality and easier to get behind. The acting is much better here too, with the standout performances coming from Talitha Bateman and Lulu Wilson (both terrific).

Overall, not great but a decent improvement. 6/10 Bethany Cox

I'm not sure if you're like me, where every new horror feels as if someone is flogging a dead horse, but that's exactly how I felt about Annabelle Creation. Here we go again, it's a prequel to the original. That doll is dug out, sat stationary, and all manner of nasty events happen.

It's a very nicely made film, it's very well acted by the largely young cast, it's a good, if sad story, and there are a few decent scares. The trouble is, those scares have been done so many times, even, dare I say it throughout the franchise.

It lacked the interesting side story that was present throughout the Conjuring films. As I say it's a good movie, but come on, give us something other then doll scares girl.

The film starts with a happy family formed by a Doll manufacturer Samuel Mullins his wife Esther and their daughter Bee , until an unfortunate accident takes place. Twelve years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll-maker (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife (Miranda Otto) welcome a nun (Stephanie Sigman) and several little girls (Samara Lee, Lulu Wilson, Eliana Bateman, ...) from a shuttered orphanage into their home , where they become the target of the doll-maker's possessed creation, Annabelle, an evil spirit trapped in a doll . Eerie events in which some little girls start to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll and other ghastly appearances , who violently attack them . Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc . The Next Chapter In The Conjuring Universe . You don't know the real story. Welcome to the home of The Conjuring Universe. Possess them all . Don't go alone . Before The Conjuring there was Annabelle.

This is a fantasy movie that contains restless horror as the doomed doll kept in an exorcited room with warning signs is escaping , then horror emerges and threatening beings attack . Third movie in the Annabelle film series and eighth in The Conjuring Universe . This is the prequel to Anabelle (2014) based on characters created by Gary Dauberman and blending in the Conjuring universe , in fact it takes place at a countryhouse after a terrrible accident and the subsequent apperance of the eerie doll Annabelle. Tension , creepy atmosphere , genuine chills , suspense are continued and appearing lurking and menacing into, dining room , stairs , hallway , rooms and at a stable with a horrible scarecrow included . Great loads of screams , shocks , exploitation and terror abound with the usual poltergeister phenomena caused by the weird ghosts . It's recreated with magnificent make-up and high grade plethora special effects which are frightening and horrifying the spectator when some little girls begin to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after escaping from a locked room . Stars unknown little actresses , exception for veterans Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto who appear secondarily at the movie , the remaining main cast are hardly ever known , they're kiddies with brief careers but giving passable interpretations . It displays eerie musical score by composer Benjamin Wallfisch creating a spooky and sinister atmosphere. Likewise, dark as well atmospheric cinematography by cameraman Maxime Alexandrre.

The motion picture well produced by Hamada and James Wan , saga's usual , being well directed David F. Sandberg . It belongs to Annabele trilogy formed by ¨Annabelle¨ (2014) by John R Leonetti with Annabelle Wallis , Tony Amendola , Alfre Woodard ,Ward Horton ; ¨Annabelle Comes Home¨ (2019) by Gary Dauberman with Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and this ¨Annabelle : Creation¨ (2017) written by Gary Dauberman . The latter is an American screenwriter who is best known for writing The Conjuring Universe spin-off horror films Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation and The Nun, and co-writing the 2017 film adaptation of It, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. Annabelle: Creation (2017) being original and adequately shot by David F. Sandberg. He is a Swedish film director , a fine craftsman who is known for directing the superhero comedy film ¨Shazam¨¨ and the horror films ¨Lights Out¨ and this ¨Annabelle: Creation¨. David lives on the autism spectrum and he also provided the voice of Mister Mind at the end of Shazam and made several short horror films throughout his career. Rating : 6/10, decent prequel that will appeal to horror buffs and Annabelle saga fans .

The Mullins (Anthony LaPaglia, Miranda Otto) suffer a tragedy when the daughter Bee is hit by a passing car. Twelve years later, they open their home to abandoned girls. Janice is handicap and Linda is her best friend. There are four other girls and Sister Charlotte. Their world is turned upside down after Janice finds the doll Annabelle locked in the closet.

This is a nicely made horror movie. It has nice set pieces and individual scenes. The doll and the entity serve as nice horror villains. Whether I like or love this depends on the girls. The young actresses are fine but the characters need more individuality to stand out. Janice and Linda are the main lead. While they have more screen time, they should be given even more. One of them should be in every scene. The horrors are too scattered among the girls. It would be more horrifying if Janice and Linda suffered while the others disbelieve. That should hold out as long as possible. The other girls lack individuality which make them too much like cannon fodder. I do grow to care for the girls but it should happen sooner. Overall, it's better most horrors and it's well executed.

It's nice to watch a horror film where it gets better and better, and this one is going in the right direction.