Tuesday 1 November 2005
The Grudge (2004)
Having seen the original Japanese film (Ju-on) which in fact was a condensation of four video films, I expected to hate this U.S. remake starring the somewhat bland Sarah Michelle Geller. However since it was put together by the director of the original films, it wasn't at all bad -- although the first half was very much a scene for scene remake of the Japanese release. The premise is that a house can harbour the unhappy spirits of those who died there and that this unquiet atmosphere will infect anyone who so much as sets foot in the house. While not 100% logical and ensuring that the Hollywood heroine would survive (sort of), it did have a good number of "boo" shots and managed to retain the singular creepiness of Japanese horror movies. So not a total loss at all.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
This is one of those sad things - those US remakes of Japanese films of which there are far too many going on. You're left with the question - why? WHY? Why do you want to make something bad out of something so good? The jap originals are far more imaginative, evocative and involving. And you're right about the creepiness factor. The jap originals are effectively scary. Like you used to be scared when you were 5 years old. Quite how they do it (suspense, music, slowing the action then boo!) is quite amazing, but they're just so good at it - and maybe that's why Hollywood can't help gate-crashing.....
Post a Comment