Reviews & Ratings for
Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Warning: I'm not a big fan of the Conjuring universe. No, that does not mean I can't watch horror. I love good different horror movie, and this universe just does not give that.
Okay, though the whole shifting into new haunted house gimmick is now stereotypical, Conjuring is one of the movies that made it stereotypical, the original, so it gets a pass. However, all the other movies that follow are way too predictable, including this one.
This movie gives you the background story of the creepy Annabelle doll that appears in the movies - about how the already evil-looking doll came to be possessed. Years after the young daughter of the Mullins passes away in a car accident, they open their house and allow an orphanage of a few girls and a nun to shift in. And of course, a small anti-social handicapped girl wanted to go wandering around the house late at night into a usually locked door and out of bounds area... because all little girls do that, right?
And that's when the spirit inside Annabelle is set lose. The first half of the movie is literally just all this that I just mentioned, nothing happening, one just waiting for Annabelle to predictably unleash herself, and nothing else.
The second half is where the actual horror, in my opinion, starts, and you actually get to see the creepy doll exercise its powers. However, then too, you know when they're going to try to frighten you, and you find yourself prepared for what's about to ponce at you, reducing the scare.
Also, though I know most movies use this tactic, it's always very dark when the scaring is happening, because of which half the visual details are missed and you go by sound.
All in all, it's not a bad movie, and certainly a good movie to start off with horror for people who are not horror movie buffs like me. Or even a good movie for a sleepover. Yet, for those who watch a horror flick now and then, you'll be found forcing yourself to sit through this movie because you've gotten so far in the series anyway, but will have an absolute absence of excitement.

Annabelle Creation is a film directed by David Sandberg. As I remember watching the trailer for this film, I remember getting chills. I have loved both the Conjuring Films. So I was looking forward to this film given that it is directed by the man behind Lights out. And this film satisfied me to a certain extent.

Plot: The Mullins open their home to an orphanage with horrifying results.

Story and direction: Horror to me basically is instilling the fear inside a person with the surroundings and the characters. This film hit it in the right notes for most of the part. All of the characters are greatly woven. I wonder what happened to Gary Dauberman in this part (He is the writer for the both parts of Annabelle {which I haven't seen by the way}). The bond that we see between Janice and Linda was great. And Janice being ridiculed by the other girls just because of her condition. Then we have the Mullins who are deep in sorrow because of their huge loss. Each time the doll appeared in the screen I remember having goosebumps. I also liked the way it was connected to the first film at the end. But this film is not all perfect. The first 30 or so minutes of this film basically had nothing. And a lot of those jump scares. I know that I am going for a horror film. So what's the need for these jump scares??? To prepare us that "Hey man... Something more scary is coming." But that actually removes all fear that you are supposed to feel, according to me. At times the film felt it was giving a tribute to Ouija - The Origin of Evil that came out last year.

Performances: Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto were good as the Mullins'. You could see the pain in their faces because of the loss. Stephanie Sigman was OK as the Sister. Talitha Bateman and Lulu Wilson were wonderful in their roles. Lulu impressed me in Ouija (the one that was out last year). And in this she nailed her performance. I guess I can call her the "Horror Queen". Talitha was also great as Janice. The switch between Janice and Annabelle was awesome. The other girls were good too.

Favorite Scene: The scene where Linda and Janice both promise each other that they will only be adopted together, otherwise not. Their friendship is clearly seen on this scene. It also sets in motion some scenes that happen during the film and also the final act.

Verdict: Although not great as the first two installments of the Conjuring series, Annabelle: Creation is a good welcome to this series of films. Can't wait to see what else has to be explored (given the film had a post credit scene).

I am going to give it an 8/10.