The Conjuring 2 (Rated C)
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Frances O'Connor
Genre: Horror
Dwight's Rating: 2.5 Stars

"Effective" is not exactly a word one would regularly use to describe a new film. But it's a pretty accurate descriptor for "The Conjuring 2". The new horror flick hit theaters last week packed with most of the elements one would expect -- a creepy setting, believably terrified characters, and even better, a "based-on-a-true-story" premise.

As an added benefit, it's a sequel that can be watched and enjoyed without requiring the viewing of its predecessor, 2013's "The Conjuring", or any other associated movie ("Annabelle", 2014), in what is apparently now a franchise.

The film does pick up shortly after "The Conjuring" left off. In 1977, paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) come out of a self-imposed sabbatical to travel to Enfield, a borough in north London. There, they meet Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor), an overwhelmed single mother of four who tells the couple that something evil is in her home. Ed and Lorraine believe her story when the youngest daughter starts to show signs of demonic possession. As the Warrens try to help the besieged girl, they become the next target of the malicious spirits.

This Enfield story was apparently widely reported and covered in the media in the late 1970s. Many believed -- and still believe -- that what has become known as the "Enfield Poltergeist" was a massive hoax. Interestingly, this level of doubt is "effectively" cited and addressed in the film, adding a dash of gravitas to what many would say is quite a far-fetched tale. As a result, "The Conjuring 2" doubles as a spook-fest and as a sort-of documentary or biography of what became a cultural phenomenon.

For me, just setting any movie in the 1970s is creepy enough.

From the fashions, to interior home design, the cars, and even the hairstyles, I've always found the decade of my birth to be downright frightening. Add to that, this film's largely dark and gloomy British setting, and this would have been spooky, even if it had been a comedy. (Stick around for the credits and see the photos of the actual folks this movie is based on if you really want a scare!)

As with the best movies in the genre, often it's what you can't see (and what is only implied or inferred) that is actually scariest. And  there's a good deal of that here. But, as is the case with a modern horror flick, the production crew can't help themselves but to showcase (and show-off) their technical capabilities. So there's lots of frightening CGI (character generated images), featuring ghastly images and creatures. Things pop up here, there and everywhere, and furniture and people go flying all over the place.

That "poltergeist" word used earlier highlights some of the movie's challenges. Translated, it means loud/noisy/pounding ghost or spirit.

And a story involving an alleged possession of a child (in the 1970s) by a most-unpleasant demon will feel awfully familiar, especially next to many similar movies, like the classic "The Exorcist" or the "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and even "Poltergeist". Indeed, besides exposing many people to this Enfield tale, there's little new or innovating in the way of storyline here.

The original "The Conjuring" was quite compelling. But some real hokeyness has managed to creep in to this sequel. Our fearless demonologist couple is beginning to feel a little cheesy. It's no fault of Farmiga and Wilson, but the tone is almost "Scooby-Doo-ish" at times, as the Warrens seem to be going around solving ghost mysteries. In what is emerging as an unfortunate trend with a number of the sequels this year, the movie almost seems better suited to a weekly television series.

Nonetheless, while "The Conjuring 2" doesn't quite feel as "on full-boil" like its predecessor, it's still a great break from the ridiculous and overwhelming teen-slasher flicks that have populated the horror genre over the past couple decades.

And let's face it, very few coming to these movies are looking for an intellectually stimulating experience. As such, "The Conjuring 2" is again quite "effective" at what it does. I guarantee you will jump at least once, or scream or shout out atleast once, and quite a few may even have at least one bad dream. What more can you ask for?

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

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