Annabelle film review: The Conjuring prequel racks up genuine scares

REVIEW: Conjuring prequel Annabelle is a solid horror flick but doesn’t live up to the standards of its parent.

Annabelle (MA15+)

Director: John R. Leonetti (The Butterfly Effect 2)

Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Tony Amendola, Alfre Woodard.

Rating : **1/2

Sometimes evil will take its doll

If you are one of the few horror fans that somehow missed The Conjuring last year, let me bring you up to speed swiftly on Annabelle.

She was this creepy-looking old doll that could raise hell in any residence. Simply by sitting on a shelf.

This paranormally active trouble-magnet went head-to-head with a pair of husband-and-wife ghostbusters for control of a funky family home.

Evil doll ... housewife Mia (Annabelle Wallis) gets more than she bargains for when buys a vintage toy.

So what if Annabelle might have lost on a points decision in The Conjuring? She did leave a lasting impression on revolted viewers. It was clear the doll deserved her own movie.

The end result here is a basic origin story set in the early 1970s. This was a period where loathsome lil’ Annabelle was yet to turn pro as a full-on freaker-outer of men, women and children. Especially children.

In fact, when we first meet Annabelle, she is just a typical vintage toy with a happy new owner, a pregnant housewife named Mia (Annabelle Wallis).

Horror flick ... Annabelle, the prequel to The Conjuring, has its fair share of scary moments.

Then one fateful evening, Mia’s home is invaded by Satanically possessed hippies. During the fatal shootout with local police that follows, some evil hippie blood infects Annabelle.

It isn’t long before the self-arranging furniture and self-slamming doors commence. But Annabelle is only getting started with the spooky stuff. Just wait until Mia has her baby.

Though hardly the most original horror outing of recent times, Annabelle still racks up a respectable number of genuine scares.

It only really disappoints when compared to the far-superior The Conjuring. It looks a darn sight cheaper — so much so that it sometime breaks the menacing mood at hand — and lacks the shrewd scripting of its predecessor.

As for the home-brand, non-doll actors in Annabelle, let’s just say they should have looked up their leading lady for performance tips while they had the chance.

Originally published as Annabelle film review: The Conjuring prequel racks up genuine scares