Asian producer James Van has long captivated the audience with Saw, which is still considered a classic horror film of the beginning of the century. More than a simple horror. Since the first part was released in 2004, a sufficient number of followers have appeared who, with a certain frequency, affect the genre themes of such a picture. Unlike standard horror films, puppets often became the main characters. So it was in The Bride of Chucky. So it was in the movie “The Curse of Annabelle.” True fans of modern horror have seen many examples of the classic genre, including the works of the great and terrible Alfred Hitchcock, trash horror films of the 80s, youth horror stories of the 90s and second-rate tapes stamped one after another. Everyone is looking for something worthwhile in them that really can hook. But, unfortunately, often stumbles upon a banal low-grade products.
The story of the appearance in the “Spell” as the subsequent creation of the spin-off
Departing for a while from the long-playing story with “Saw”, in 2013, James Van presents the film “The Spell”, based on the real events of the American town that took place in 1973-1974, for trial.
The young family lived for ten years on a secluded farm, faced with the manifestation of otherworldly strength in the house. Unable to cope with the demonic essence, the couple invited a couple of Warren detectives working in the field of paranormal phenomena. The investigation led to a
porcelain doll. Not the very fact of torturing the hosts with their presence took the main place. Much more terrible was the curse of Annabelle.
The released picture was cheered by the audience. Like the doll that appeared as a separate character. As director James Van admitted after completing work on the film, many were frightened of her on the set, because she really inspired real fear - big eyes, a look on her face, horrified horror ... With the end of the “Spell”, Annabelle’s curse remained unsolved. An interesting idea seemed to come up with something new, to continue the story of the doll, allowing it to migrate to an independent film. Artists made several copies from the original doll. The main task was to present her more like a person, the only way she had a chance to inspire fear even more. If you carefully watch the movie “The Curse of Annabelle”, the plot will make it possible to notice how it changes throughout its length.
James Van invited screenwriter Gary Doberman, who once told the story of “Swamp Devil” and “Bloody Jungle”.
Wang himself refused the role of director, putting John Leonetti in the director's chair, who worked as an cameraman in many of his films, including The Spell. Remaining a producer, in January 2014, Wang launches production in the finished sets of Los Angeles studios, and on September 25 presents the film “The Curse of Annabelle” in Russia.
The creators gave the main roles to the young Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton. The actors have counted many diverse images, including such large-scale projects as “X-Men”, “Tudors”, “Wolf from Wall Street”. Secondary roles were given to Tony Amendola, Eric Ladin and Oscar nominee Elfrey Woodard. As natives of different countries, Wallis and Horton recreated a harmonious family duet on the screen.
“The Curse of Annabelle.” Plot of the film
The young Gordon family lives in a cozy house, preparing for the birth of their first child. Miya is fond of collecting porcelain dolls. Her collection is impressive, but one exhibit is missing. On the eve of childbirth, as a gift, John gives his wife an old doll dressed in a white wedding dress. At night, screams are heard in the house of neighbors. While John leaves to check the situation, representatives of the sectarian cult make their way to the Gordons. They are far from religion, glorifying the love of dark forces. During a hassle, the blood of one of the sectarians falls on a doll in which an ancient evil awakens. From now on, there will be no peace in this house ...
Viewers reaction
The first viewers who saw the picture can safely ask the question: “How should the“ Annabelle Curse ”be evaluated? The plot, which tells about the life of an ordinary American family, presents the main surprise. A wonderful gift for a beloved wife, whom she had long dreamed of, turns into a terrible tragedy overnight , forcing spouses to fight for their own happiness and life, as well as the life of the unborn child. What is not the ideal component of the original idea?
Even before the release of Curse of Annabelle, the creators, like many fans awaiting the release, had no doubt that the picture would succeed. The name of James Wang, who does not take on mid-level tapes, predicts a good result. With a budget of 6.5 million, the film gathered more than 240 million, and the number of viewers exceeded the mark of 870 thousand. The horror swept across a number of states, appearing on wide screens in 70 countries.
Nevertheless, basically the picture received negative reviews. The popular rating portal Rotten Tomatoes collected 40% of the positive votes, losing to the negative reaction by more than half. The main reasons were called imposed cliches that did not improve the film at all, the lack of genre novelty and the fast pace of dynamic development.
“The Curse of Annabelle.” Reviews rated negative
Expressing a negative perception, viewers note a long introduction, accompanied by long dialogues and drawn out scenes. Before them appears an atypical, but annoying demon, who, out of boredom, wished to bring the respectable inhabitants of the house to white heat . Moreover, his methods are quite commonplace and are shown many times - flying objects, closing doors, emitting a piercing creak.
The reference to “Groundhog Day”, with which the “Curse of Annabelle” is compared, is also uninteresting. The plot is repeated from time to time and quickly bored. An atmosphere of constant expectation is created on the screen, a similar scheme speaks of eternal confrontation. Because the returning episodes cause boredom.
Riddle dolls and no less strange parents
The legend of Annabelle herself is rooted in history, hiding from the audience her origin.
“The Curse of Annabelle,” the plot of which is quite simple, in the long list of spectator denials gives the central place to a strange fascination with a mysterious doll. If its persecution by members of the sectarian group can be somehow explained (by insanity, imbalance, insanity), then how could future parents awaiting replenishment allow themselves such "luxury" that would bring fear to a small child? Despite the fact that the real exhibit is rag, at one glance at it goosebumps run through the body, since the doll appeared in the picture “The Curse of Annabelle” with a completely eerie creation. Reviews from some viewers suggest the intention of the creators to release a sequel. This would be logical, coupled with the unconscious generation of childhood nightmares from the very birth of the Gordon baby.
Components of success
Every man to his own taste. The “Curse of Annabelle” is no exception. Reviews that have gathered an unexpected expectation in no way at all do not say that the picture cannot be boasted by those who liked it. I liked, first of all, the original plot, the unusual subsequent development, the unpredictable ending. Pregnancy of the young heroine could not but cause emotion and an additional portion of pity.
Viewers sincerely worried about the life of the young couple, watching with interest the battle with dark forces against the background of human insanity on the occult and ancient magic curses.
Actor play
In many ways, the picture is saved by a living acting embodiment. Even critics who have not given a positive assessment note the excellent work of female actor Annabelle Wallis. And the point here is not the same name of the actress and the main character. Within the framework of the submitted genre, Wallis accurately conveyed the required emotions, despite the fact that in real life the actress is not a mother, and accordingly does not have the whole spectrum of emotions that force a woman to fight for her child. Work in this picture will certainly affect the future career of the actress, and her name will sooner or later still remind of herself.
Worth Horton revealed his character, embodying the only man on the screen who must save his family. I also remembered the secondary images - Father Perez (Tony Amendola), detective Clairekin (Eric Ladin) and Evelyn (Elfrey Woodard), each of whom is called to help the spouses in a difficult situation for them.
Strength Annabelle
Judging by the reviews of the audience, the doll itself causes a feeling of fear and hostility. Even more terrifying were the tricks that she used to slowly bring household members out of their usual balance. Her intimidations, shown very naturalistic, exhausting the psyche of replicas and sounds, the cold-blooded effect on the victim in the aggregate kept the viewer chained in front of the screen. It was impossible not to provide moral support to Mia when she faced a complete evil face to face.
By the way, for all fans there is an interesting fact - the real prototype of the doll is in the American Warren Occult Museum.
The most believable movie
Many viewers call the “Annabelle Curse” a well-thought-out mixture of good suspense, beautiful aesthetics, and a dynamic (most importantly, intriguing) plot. It's a shame not to single out the work of the composer - he created beautiful atmospheric melodies and sound effects, frightening from any “Boo!”.
In addition to the main idea and key playback on the screen, the creators wanted to convey something more. So what is the movie “The Curse of Annabelle?” This is an exciting, adult-like, frightening sight. After viewing, many left not only an aftertaste, but a lot of doubts and thoughts. From the desire to create not a passing picture, but something more valuable, with many allusions that play an important role.
The characteristic tricks inherent in James Van are also noticeable - the approaching plans, the effect of surprise, the difficulty in understanding, giving way to soon accessible understandability.
Success is Compared
It would not be logical not to foresee a lot of audience research related to comparing “The Curses of Annabelle” with other paintings of the same genre. Viewers drew a parallel with the “Bride of Chucky”. But this is not entirely correct - in that film the viewer has a very real object, here, for the most part, the demonic spirit takes possession of the doll.
The most justified comparisons are with Astral and the Spell, on the same level as the Annabel Curse. Reviews of the film said that Annabelle as an actor acts as an entourage, a skillful means of this action, despite the fact that the narrative has given its role to members of the sectarian group and a number of other characters. Tickling nerves, the classic “Rosemary's Baby” is in many respects similar in artistic structure, because often in mystical paintings the unborn children are the main goal.
Each viewer has the right to choose what to watch. James Van provides such an opportunity. Emphasizing the relevance and continued success of “The Curses of Annabelle,” even with an outweighed number of negative responses, this film is perfect for all fans of the horror genre.