First off let me start by saying that I do not usually enjoy horror films at all. I usually think that they are over done and are saturised so much that they lose their effect, I was one of the unfortunate few that watch Scary movie 2 before seeing the Exorcist, those who know will know.

However, the Conjuring 2 has got to be up there with the greats of horror. James Wan has created a perfectly balanced series following the lives and events of the Ed and Lorraine Warren, followers of the occult will know these names well, and it is this that I think the horror genre comes out the strongest, before going into this film you are aware that the characters and in fact the Enfield Haunting are all based on some form of truth. James Wan plays on this very very well, with a talented cast to direct, an era of British history that was one of fear, poverty, dissent and the masters of CGI he brings to life a true horror story.

We are first introduced again to Ed and Lorraine in the house of the Amytiville horror scene where Lorraine enters a translucent state to discover what has occurred, from that point you are sitting on the edge of you r seat as she follows the path of the murder throughout the house. She is then thrown into the cellar of the house where she witnesses ‘The Nun’ stalking her and showing her an image of Ed dying horrifically. This sets the pace of the whole film. Wan then throws us over to England where we meet the Hodgson’s, a normal family struggling in a crumbling house and trying to make ends meet, the introduction of a Ouija board then has us drop our heads, it’s all downhill for the family from there folks. I will ruin no more but the slow decay of innocence of the kids truly terrifies, the spectral occurrences makes you jump and the ignorance of all around has you shouting at the screen. It makes you realise that the evil powers all but need to play on doubt to truly win.

Words cannot express the level of enjoyment I have just experienced watching this film!

I have grown up with the Godzilla franchise, I was first introduced to it during the Christmas of 1996. As one of my gifts I was given a VHS copy of the 1965 version Godzilla vs Ghidorah directed by Ishiro Honda. I fell in love with it then and have never turned back. 1998 Godzilla was fun as a kid but looking back was a bit of a let down and then we had the 2014 Hollywood revival of Godzilla vs The Mutos. A controversial view but I think it started the monsterverse off well! As a young kid watching monsters face off against each other is what it truly all about and it still is as a grown up. Who doesn’t love a titan battle??

For years I have wanted a film of Godzilla facing off against his arch nemesis and now it’s here my god does it wow! From the very get go you are thrown into action and unlike the 2014 version they do not beat around the bush, the dialogue between the fantastically picked cast is engaging and informative, they don’t shy away from name dropping other Titans either. It is a monster action masterpiece. It’s called Godzilla: King of the Monsters, not Godzilla: King of democracy and peace talks. It does exactly what it says on the tin and does not disappoint! If you don’t enjoy theses such films then it’s not for you, this wasn’t made for awards etc, it was made for enjoyment and that’s exactly what it provides!

The CGI in this film is perfectly balanced, don’t read what the pessimists have to say. Why should we not have the best CGI of monsters battling each other? Why should we not see Godzilla running through Boston to tackle Ghidorah? Why should we not these monsters in all their glory. We have screens with such definition these days for reasons and that is for films to shock and awe. It has always been that way and long may it continue. For critics to come out and say that the film uses to much CGI is just rubbish and evidently written by someone who is stuck in their ways… get with the times!

A special mention to Ken Watanabe whom reprises his role as Dr Sewizara and is a true hero of this tale, he encompasses everything about an admirer of Godzilla, he brings acting pedigree that does not overshadow all those on screen.

If you love the form of escapism that is cinema then go to see this film.

Before I begin my review I believe that everyone is entitled to their own views which is why I won’t slate the previous pessimists… oops.

I watched this film the day it arrived in cinema, I could not wait to see it on the big screen and unlike some I was not disappointed. I have been a huge fan of Mr King and his world since sneaking my uncles VHS copy (look it up kids) of ‘The Thing’ to my room to watch when I was 9 years old, spending almost six months as a 15 year old trying to conquer ‘The Stand’ and imaging myself as ‘The Gunslinger’ well, until now. It is no secret that in all of Mr King’s stories there has been the immortal struggle between good and bad and that is exactly what this adaptation shows, the good vs the bad.

I’ve read the comments stating that there was too much CGI within the film which in turn ruined it, pish posh! We live in a world now where you can sit in a cinema with 3D glasses, moving chairs and screens as large as football pitches (soccer to others). Why should expenses not be paid on amazing CGI, do we as wonerfilled fans not deserve the best? The CGI mixed with the phenomenal acting of Mr Skarsgard truly encompasses all that is right with how cinema is moving forward, we as the fans want to see the horrible creatures that Pennywise can turn into, we want to be scared, we want to be made to jump out of our skins, we want to go home walking passed drains and empty house and have butterflies fill our stomachs and this film provides that perfectly!

Not only does this film terrify but it also inspires. Whoever was in charge of casting I take my hat off to you. The child stars of this film rival any who grace the acting world. Watching this I believe without question the friendship levels portrayed, the love lost between brothers and the love gained. From the get go you root for those in The Losers Club, you sympathise with them and share their pain. I can’t reiterate enough how believable each of them truly are and I can’t wait to see them in Chapter 2. I laughed, I cried and I was terrified!

If I have to be negative about one thing, and I’m really scraping the bottom of the barrel, them it was the fact that not all of the book was in the film, that said we’ve still got more chapters to come, and I can’t wait!

Just remember folks this is an adaptation, it’ll never be perfect and that is the perfection to it.

Honestly, we watch films as a form of escapism, I think people forget that. Sit down, relax and be prepared to be scared when watching It.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton