Annabelle Wallis
Ward Horton
Alfre Woodard

Gary Dauberman

99 mins.
Horror
October 3, 2014

Rated R for intense sequences of disturbing violence and terror. (MPAA)

“Annabelle” is a prequel to “The Conjuring,” which was a really good vintage-style horror film released in 2013. “The Conjuring” worked because it harkened back to classic horror storytelling and threw in a twist: It focused on the married couple of paranormal investigators whose work inspired “The Amityville Horror.” So, while “The Conjuring” featured a family in paranormal crisis, it presented the classic horror style from a new perspective: that of the investigators rather than of the family. Plus, the cast was great.

“Annabelle” comes to us with similar stylistic trappings, but without the same perspective (or the same cast, or the same director). This film’s focus is on a young married couple with a baby on the way. Something we’ve never seen before, right? But I’ll admit that novelty isn’t always necessary, especially for horror. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work out so well for this film.

OK, back to the story: So, the pregnant wife loves dolls, and her husband finds the one doll she needs to complete her doll collection. We then witness the origin story of how that doll becomes Annabelle, the doll featured in – you guessed it – “The Conjuring.”

There’s absolutely nothing new, nothing surprising, and nothing even remotely scary here. It’s not that this is a bad film, though. Well, it’s not that bad. Actually, it might be something worse: OK, which means boring. …

I’m sorry. I just fell asleep. Back to writing. …

It’s hard to be scared and bored at the same time. And this film hasn’t cracked the code on making those opposites work. No film will. You see, simply put, the story is thin and bland. That’s it; no need to mince words here. As a putative horror film, “Annabelle,” of course, provides the requisite jolts that fans of the genre expect. So that’s not the problem. Also, the actors do what they can; so it’s not their fault. No, the fault lies with writer Gary Dauberman and director John R. Leonetti. They don’t execute well enough to make this story matter. That’s the crux of the problem. Dauberman had nothing to do with “The Conjuring,” by the way. And while Leonetti was the cinematographer of that film, that doesn’t mean that he needs to direct.

(As I watched this film, my only interest was in Alfre Woodard, mostly because she’s Alfre Woodard. It was nice to see Eric Ladin, who was part of the cast of “Generation Kill,” as well.)

There’s a sequel to “The Conjuring” in the works that will be released in 2016. James Wan will direct again (instead of just producing), and Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will reprise their roles. I hope that they fare better than this. They better.

Verdict: Somewhat Bad to OK

About: (Source: annabellemovie)

She terrified you in “The Conjuring,” but this is where it all began for Annabelle.

Capable of unspeakable evil, the actual doll exists locked up in an occult museum in Connecticut—visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month.

New Line Cinema’s supernatural thriller “Annabelle” begins before the evil was unleashed.

John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia—a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress.  But Mia’s delight with Annabelle doesn’t last long.

On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple.  Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind.  The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now… Annabelle.

Annabelle Wallis (“X-Men: First Class”) and Ward Horton (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) star as the Forms. Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard (“Cross Creek,” “Twelve Years a Slave”) stars as Evelyn, a neighbor who owns a bookstore and is familiar with the occult.   Rounding out the cast are Kerry O’Malley (TV’s “Those Who Kill”) and Brian Howe (“Devil’s Knot”) as neighbors  Sharon and Pete Higgins; Tony Amendola (TV’s “Once Upon A Time”) as Father Perez; and Eric Ladin (TV’s “Boardwalk Empire,”) as Detective Clarkin.

“Annabelle” reunites the filmmakers behind 2013’s hugely successful supernatural thriller “The Conjuring.”  James Wan, director of the global hit, is producing “Annabelle” with Peter Safran. John R. Leonetti, who served as cinematographer on “The Conjuring,” is directing.

Gary Dauberman wrote the script.  Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Hans Ritter are the executive producers.  Also joining Leonetti behind the scenes are director of photography James Kniest, production designer Bob Ziembicki, editor Tom Elkins, and costume designer Janet Ingram.  Joseph Bishara composed the score.

New Line Cinema presents an Atomic Monster/Safran Company Production, “Annabelle.” Scheduled for release October 3, 2014, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.