"Annabelle" Is The Perfect Start to Your Halloween Season; Truly Terrifying

   

   In 2013 we were introduced to real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren on a cinematic level with the horror masterpiece (yup, I threw that gauntlet down) "The Conjuring". Directed by James Wan (who solidified his name as one of the best in the annals of horror filmmakers, even after "Saw"), "The Conjuring" harnessed everything that makes a good horror movie, and then amped it up a notch. Personally, it's one of the scariest movies I've seen to date. Within the story of "The Conjuring", we were introduced to one of the Warren's earlier cases...one dealing with a specific doll. That doll's name is Annabelle. Though only in the film for a short period, we are quickly introduced to the epic-creepiness of that doll. It had such a profound affect that its freakishness was enough to garner its own film. Hence this month's release of the highly anticipated prequel to "The Conjuring", the terrifying horror film "Annabelle".

   Okay, for starters, the Annabelle doll is by far the freakiest looking doll I have ever seen. With its cold face, striking eyes and devilish green, the most unrealistic thing about it is that fact that someone might genuinely want it as a collector's item. Crazy. Well, that happens to be just the case for this movie. Set in the 1960s, John and Mia, played by Ward Horton and Annabelle (what?!) Wallis, live a simple life while expecting their first child. Being the loving, doting husband he is, John surprises his doll-collecting wife with a new addition: a hideous porcelain doll with creepy eyes. That same night, satanic cultist attack them in their home and leave them with more than just spilled blood. After that night, nothing is ever the same.

   The movie utilizes familiar scare tactics; building up suspense and paying it off with a jumpy moment. However, where "Annabelle" succeeds is in how it builds the suspense and the authentic delivery from the lead actress Annabelle Wallis. Wallis deals with the brunt of the horror and does so stupendously. The moments of suspense are tough to watch, leaving you at the edge of your seat. Although he did not direct, James Wan is a producer on the film, and one can't help to sense a level of "Wan-ness" to this movie. In "The Conjuring" the suspense of the film was perfect, which allowed for the scares to really work on you. Like a mad scientist, Wan was able to mix the comedy and suspense just enough to truly make it terrifying; building you up, letting you down, then building you up again in order to scare the living crap out of you. Though not as scary as "The Conjuring", "Annabelle" has very similar moments. There's a particularly frightening sequence involving Mia and an elevator; completely unnerving and totally terrifying, not because of what you see, but what you think you might see. There in lies the secret: allowing your brain to mess with you.

   "Annabelle" surprised me as to how good it was. It was scarier than I had anticipated. The doll itself is one of the most freakiest parts of the whole flick. Again, why anyone would want that thing is beyond me. At any rate, "Annabelle" will freak you out, make you jump, maybe even scream. It was a blast to watch and it kicks off this Halloween season with a bang.