While babysitting at the home of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a teenager, her friend and the Warren’s daughter come face to face with evil after one of them unknowingly unleashes Annabelle the doll from the confines of its suppression chamber. Check out Ralph Potts’ Blu-ray review of Annabelle Comes Home.
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The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
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Extras:
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Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
92
Details:
Studio and Year: Warner - 2019
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 106 minutes
Genre: Horror
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos/TrueHD 7.1, English/Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Starring: McKenna Grace, Madison Iseman, Katie Sarife, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
Written & Directed by: Gary Dauberman
Music by: Joseph Bishara
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: October 8, 2019
"Welcome to the Home of the Conjuring Universe"
My Take:
Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc on innocent victims, demonologists Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) lock the possessed doll in their home’s special artifact room, placing her behind sacred glass. But when the doll escapes and awakens the room’s evil spirits, it conjures up an unholy night of horror for the Warrens’ daughter and her friends as they desperately battle to bring Annabelle’s reign of terror to an end.
I am fan of The Conjuring and even enjoyed its follow-up The Conjuring 2. The creepy doll, Annabelle, was introduced in the first film, playing a small, but intricate role, that upped the mystery/fright factor quite nicely. 2015’s Annabelle was designed to bring the events of the doll’s background to light, but at the end of the day, wasn’t a very good movie, and failed to keep pace with the overall success of the other films in the franchise. Annabelle Creation turned out to be better than expected which was a pleasant surprise.
Annabelle Comes Home represents the third film in The Conjuring film series to feature the doll that seems to draw evil to it, spelling disaster for those that come in contact with it. I don’t know, as much as I like The Conjuring and most of its follow ups, another film involving Annabelle seemed to be noting short of a cash grab but, I had to see what it had in store. I went into viewing it with limited expectations, hoping that there would be enough story to support the elements of horror. As with Annabelle Creation, I found the narrative to be on the shallow side, with average character development.
Fortunately, that, coupled with the foundation previously set for Annabelle, was enough to keep it afloat. I cared about the two primary characters in Judy and Mary Ellen, and found the elements of horror, while nothing original, to be engaging. I also liked how things tied into Annabelle’s introduction in The Conjuring with brief bit parts for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, reprising their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Annabelle Comes Home isn’t as frightening or well-rounded as The Conjuring or The Conjuring 2, but it manages to embrace the overall character of the franchise, making for a decent entry that was fun to watch.
Replay Value:
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Parental Guide:
The rating is for horror violence and terror.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
This film’s visual style doesn’t lend itself to eye catching color or infinite levels of dimension but this is a creative decision that doesn’t reflect negatively on its presentation. Resolution is excellent with clearly rendered images that exhibit refined levels of detail during close ups and discernible depth of field in wide angle shots. The filtered chromatic range is purposefully limited to muted primary colors and softer secondary hues. That coupled with the drab lighting schemes and dark cinematography makes for a visually pallid but thematically affecting look. Skin tones among the cast vary and range from Rosy to pale while appearing textural and predominantly lifelike. Blacks are deep and dynamic and shadow detail is excellent. I didn’t see any signs of video related artifacts in this whistle clean high definition presentation that looks terrific.
The lossless 7.1 channel TrueHD soundtrack offers detail rich clarity while making use of the entire surround platform to support the film’s thematic elements. Dialog is firmly planted in the center channel and clearly renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction and balance within the front soundstage. The detection of subtle background sounds, off camera cues and spatial dimension within the room’s acoustic environment is notable. Dynamic range is solid which enriches the authority of low frequency effects contained in the mix. There isn’t perpetual use of the surround channels and subwoofer however when applied the effects are involving enough to elevate suspense.
In listening to the Dolby Atmos surround mix I found it to be of the moderately active variety that makes steady use of the platform. Its use of audio objects placed above is a mix of atmospherics, music and discrete sound effects. This is done very well and creates a tangible level of immersion that coincides with the onscreen events nicely. The mix effectively places effects/sounds within the soundstage which place you within the scene, in turn, adding an enriching element that heightens the intended feeling like something is moving overhead, passing behind you etc. When things escalate during the third act near field objects, and multi-dimensional ambience places you inside the action as sounds rotate and revolve around the soundstage from both above and at ear level. While this isn’t what I would regard as an aggressive Atmos mix, I enjoyed the balance of atmosphere combined with discrete object placement. I think that it complimented the source material and made for an entertaining and at times eerie listening experience.
Bonus Features:
Annabelle Comes Home is the latest installment in The Conjuring film franchise, and makes for a solid horror/thriller that compliments the series. It comes to Blu-ray from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment featuring excellent high definition audio/video, and a complimentary Dolby Atmos mix that heightens the experience. The supplemental package consists of three average production featurettes and some deleted scenes. Annabelle Comes Home probably won’t prove to be hair raising for seasoned genre fans, but it has enough chills to make for a scary good time on movie night.
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Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6-HDR Meter from Spectracal )
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Electronic Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV7704 Audio/Video Processor
Emotiva XPA-7 Gen 3 Seven Channel Amplifier
Emotiva XPA-11 Gen 3 Amplifier
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" and Canton In-Ceiling Series Speakers
SVS Ultra Surrounds (Gloss Finish in Bipolar Configuration)
Dual SVS PC4000 Cylinder Subwoofers
Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
AC Infinity Aircom T8 Component Cooling Systems
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
( Max score: 100 )
92
Details:
Studio and Year: Warner - 2019
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 106 minutes
Genre: Horror
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos/TrueHD 7.1, English/Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Starring: McKenna Grace, Madison Iseman, Katie Sarife, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
Written & Directed by: Gary Dauberman
Music by: Joseph Bishara
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: October 8, 2019
"Welcome to the Home of the Conjuring Universe"
My Take:
Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc on innocent victims, demonologists Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) lock the possessed doll in their home’s special artifact room, placing her behind sacred glass. But when the doll escapes and awakens the room’s evil spirits, it conjures up an unholy night of horror for the Warrens’ daughter and her friends as they desperately battle to bring Annabelle’s reign of terror to an end.
I am fan of The Conjuring and even enjoyed its follow-up The Conjuring 2. The creepy doll, Annabelle, was introduced in the first film, playing a small, but intricate role, that upped the mystery/fright factor quite nicely. 2015’s Annabelle was designed to bring the events of the doll’s background to light, but at the end of the day, wasn’t a very good movie, and failed to keep pace with the overall success of the other films in the franchise. Annabelle Creation turned out to be better than expected which was a pleasant surprise.
Annabelle Comes Home represents the third film in The Conjuring film series to feature the doll that seems to draw evil to it, spelling disaster for those that come in contact with it. I don’t know, as much as I like The Conjuring and most of its follow ups, another film involving Annabelle seemed to be noting short of a cash grab but, I had to see what it had in store. I went into viewing it with limited expectations, hoping that there would be enough story to support the elements of horror. As with Annabelle Creation, I found the narrative to be on the shallow side, with average character development.
Fortunately, that, coupled with the foundation previously set for Annabelle, was enough to keep it afloat. I cared about the two primary characters in Judy and Mary Ellen, and found the elements of horror, while nothing original, to be engaging. I also liked how things tied into Annabelle’s introduction in The Conjuring with brief bit parts for Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, reprising their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Annabelle Comes Home isn’t as frightening or well-rounded as The Conjuring or The Conjuring 2, but it manages to embrace the overall character of the franchise, making for a decent entry that was fun to watch.
Replay Value:
The rating is for horror violence and terror.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency effects:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialog Reproduction:
- DSU/DTS Neural:X Rating * (non-rated element): NA
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black Level/Shadow Detail:
- Color Reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Level of immersion:
- Soundstage integration:
- Audio object placement:
- Effectiveness of Atmos platform:
- Entertainment factor:
This film’s visual style doesn’t lend itself to eye catching color or infinite levels of dimension but this is a creative decision that doesn’t reflect negatively on its presentation. Resolution is excellent with clearly rendered images that exhibit refined levels of detail during close ups and discernible depth of field in wide angle shots. The filtered chromatic range is purposefully limited to muted primary colors and softer secondary hues. That coupled with the drab lighting schemes and dark cinematography makes for a visually pallid but thematically affecting look. Skin tones among the cast vary and range from Rosy to pale while appearing textural and predominantly lifelike. Blacks are deep and dynamic and shadow detail is excellent. I didn’t see any signs of video related artifacts in this whistle clean high definition presentation that looks terrific.
The lossless 7.1 channel TrueHD soundtrack offers detail rich clarity while making use of the entire surround platform to support the film’s thematic elements. Dialog is firmly planted in the center channel and clearly renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction and balance within the front soundstage. The detection of subtle background sounds, off camera cues and spatial dimension within the room’s acoustic environment is notable. Dynamic range is solid which enriches the authority of low frequency effects contained in the mix. There isn’t perpetual use of the surround channels and subwoofer however when applied the effects are involving enough to elevate suspense.
In listening to the Dolby Atmos surround mix I found it to be of the moderately active variety that makes steady use of the platform. Its use of audio objects placed above is a mix of atmospherics, music and discrete sound effects. This is done very well and creates a tangible level of immersion that coincides with the onscreen events nicely. The mix effectively places effects/sounds within the soundstage which place you within the scene, in turn, adding an enriching element that heightens the intended feeling like something is moving overhead, passing behind you etc. When things escalate during the third act near field objects, and multi-dimensional ambience places you inside the action as sounds rotate and revolve around the soundstage from both above and at ear level. While this isn’t what I would regard as an aggressive Atmos mix, I enjoyed the balance of atmosphere combined with discrete object placement. I think that it complimented the source material and made for an entertaining and at times eerie listening experience.
Bonus Features:
- • Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes:
o The Artifact Room & the Occult
o The Light & the Love
o Behind the Scenes: The Ferryman/Demon, The Bloody Bride, The Werewolf - DVD
- Digital Copy
Annabelle Comes Home is the latest installment in The Conjuring film franchise, and makes for a solid horror/thriller that compliments the series. It comes to Blu-ray from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment featuring excellent high definition audio/video, and a complimentary Dolby Atmos mix that heightens the experience. The supplemental package consists of three average production featurettes and some deleted scenes. Annabelle Comes Home probably won’t prove to be hair raising for seasoned genre fans, but it has enough chills to make for a scary good time on movie night.
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6-HDR Meter from Spectracal )
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Electronic Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV7704 Audio/Video Processor
Emotiva XPA-7 Gen 3 Seven Channel Amplifier
Emotiva XPA-11 Gen 3 Amplifier
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" and Canton In-Ceiling Series Speakers
SVS Ultra Surrounds (Gloss Finish in Bipolar Configuration)
Dual SVS PC4000 Cylinder Subwoofers
Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
AC Infinity Aircom T8 Component Cooling Systems
