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In a time when movie studios are creating "universes," the idea of just making a sequel seems quaint.
The appeal of a sequel, for a movie executive, is simple: You have these characters that people like, so why not trot them out for another round? That's why the horror thriller "The Conjuring 2" and the magic-theme heist tale "Now You See Me 2," both in theaters Friday, got the green light.
Increasingly risk-averse studios aren't happy with a second bite at the apple, though.
Take, for example, the two Marvel universes. "Captain America: Civil War" was the 13th film in the official Marvel Cinematic Universe, and "X-Men: Apocalypse" was the ninth in that series (including two "Wolverine" movies and "Deadpool"). This spring, rival DC Comics kicked its "universe" in gear with "Batman v. Superman," which previewed in-the-works films featuring Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash.
A fifth "Transformers" movie is in production, due in 2017, and a sixth is planned after that. "Fast 8," in the "Fast & Furious" series, is being made now, also for 2017, and the ninth and 10th installments of the series are in the works.
Thinking that far ahead isn't a sure thing. Plans to extend the "Terminator" franchise were put on the back burner after "Terminator: Genisys" flopped last summer. And if Paramount was hoping for more "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movies, the poor results last weekend of "Out of the Shadows" may scotch those plans.
Is it possible to just enjoy a sequel without thinking about what's down the road? "The Conjuring 2" and "Now You See Me 2" test that idea, with varying degrees of success.
"The Conjuring 2" brings back Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), the real-life ghost busters — he a Vatican-authorized demonologist, she a clairvoyant who can sense evil spirits — who became famous with the case that inspired "The Amityville Horror." The Amityville house makes an early appearance in this sequel, as Ed and Lorraine encounter a nasty demon in a nun's habit in 1976.
The bulk of the story, though, finds the Warrens in 1977, tackling a case that's dubbed "England's Amityville," in the British suburb of Enfield. It's there single mum Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor) and her four children are scared by something supernatural that seems to be attacking the 11-year-old daughter, Janet (Madison Wolfe). Paranormal expert Maurice Grosse (Simon McBurney) and skeptic Anita Gregory (Franka Potente) are investigating, but the Roman Catholic Church asks the Warrens to take a look.
The script — by twin brothers Chad and Carey Hayes and director James Wan (all returning from the first movie) and David Johnson — is steeped in details, like giving characters the same names as their real-life counterparts, that make the supernatural scenario look authentic. The scares are built organically, with Wan ("Saw," "Furious 7") doing a fair number of effects in-camera, with a minimum of computer-augmented shots.
What makes "The Conjuring 2" work is the chemistry of Farmiga and Wilson, who give great reactions to the scariness around them and come off as a genuinely caring married couple. If you have ghosts in your attic, you'd want these two in your corner.
On the other hand, if you're out to fleece a charlatan, and to do so as flamboyantly as possible, you'd call The Four Horsemen — the stage magicians introduced three years ago in the heist thriller "Now You See Me."
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco are back on board for the sequel, "Now You See Me 2," reprising their roles as magician Daniel Atlas, mentalist Merritt McKinney and card expert Jack Wilder. Mark Ruffalo also returns as Dylan Rhodes, the FBI agent who's secretly leading the group.
New to the game is Lula (Lizzy Caplan) as "the girl Horseman" — her words, not mine — the spot once filled by Isla Fisher. Also, female magicians don't get last names, apparently.
Once again, the Horsemen and Rhodes are out to expose a greedy executive. This time, when they stage the big reveal in New York, someone has turned the tables on them, exposing their crimes and Rhodes' double life. The Horsemen jump into their escape hatch … and, in an instant, find themselves in Macau.
In Macau, they discover who's pulling the strings: the supposedly deceased tech billionaire Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe). Mabry threatens the Horsemen into stealing a computer chip from a super-secure lab, which tests their magic skills to the extreme. Meanwhile, a fugitive Rhodes is forced to spring his old enemy, debunker Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), out of prison, to follow the Horsemen's trail to Macau.
Ed Solomon, one of the three writers of the first movie, returns for the sequel, producing a script that's long on theatrics and short on believability. Director Jon M. Chu ("G.I. Joe: Retaliation," "Jem and the Holograms") doesn't have the action chops of Louis Leterrier, the first movie's director, but he brings some flash to the illusions.
Some cast members seem to be going through the motions — a common problem with sequels, where actors are contractually obligated to participate. The one wild card is Radcliffe, who brings a nerdy mania to the proceedings. (I'm convinced Radcliffe, with a pile of "Harry Potter" money in the bank, is choosing roles solely on what looks fun.)
If you think the Four Horsemen are through, think again. While "Now You See Me 2" was still in production, Lionsgate announced it was developing a third installment, with Chu directing. Apparently, the magic will never stop — unless this weekend's box-office numbers disappoint.
Twitter: @moviecricket —
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'The Conjuring 2'
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'Now You See Me 2'
Two sequels — a horror thriller and a magic-themed action drama — show what works, and what doesn't, when casts and crews reunite.
Where • Theaters everywhere.
When • Both open Friday, June 10.
Rating • "The Conjuring 2" is rated R for terror and horror violence; "Now You See Me 2" is rated PG-13 for violence and some language.
Running time • "The Conjuring 2" is 133 minutes; "Now You See Me 2" is 129 minutes.