Review of Annabelle: Creation (2017) by Big T — 15 May 2018

This feels like a movie that had a terrible (or at least mediocre) script, but was given a great director. Man my feelings are mixed on this one. There are moments in here that are pure horror genius and creeped me the hell out.

What I particularly loved are the quiet moments. There's times when something will be happening in the background, and there's nothing to draw your attention to it, and then suddenly you notice it and it freaks you out.

It's incredibly effective, and does a much better job of creating tension than your standard jump scare. Problem is, there are jump scares in here too. I have no problem with jump scares in theory, as long as they're earned and done well, and to be fair a few of the ones in here are actually.

Others, however, are either obnoxiously predictable or just plain silly. There is one moment in particular, let's call it a "reveal", that I knew was supposed to be shocking and horrifying but just made me snicker and roll my eyes.

I also have to say how I hated the ending. I know it's the prequel thing where they have to lead into the next movie, but it just felt so mean-spirited. What I liked about The Conjuring movies is how they showed people overcoming the horrors, here they just indulge in the horrors too much.

There's a place for that sometimes, I loved Sinister, but somehow here it just felt far too cruel and left me feeling bad. At the same time though, the only reason I cared that much was because I did like the characters.

There were some that were jerks, but they were believable jerks who still didn't deserve the horrible things happening to them. All of them I wanted to see get out of this situation, so I was invested in seeing them survive.

Seems like such a simple thing, but really a lot of horror movies forget this. Bottom line, it's a mixed bag. The things I liked I loved, and the things I didn't like I freaking hated. Full disclosure I never did see the first Annabelle, and further disclosure dolls naturally do scare the s*** out of me even when they aren't possessed.

Overall though I think it's a worthwhile entry to what I guess is becoming the Conjuring cinematic universe. And from that perspective, think of it like The Incredible Hulk is to the MCU. Necessary? Probably not.

Flawed? Definitely. But still has enough enjoyable moments to make it worth a look.