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- Ju-on: The Curse - Japanese DVD Review -
Just about every horror fan in the world and their dog has been hearing the
fuss being made about an American remake of another Japanese horror film.
In fact, to be more precise, the Japanese remake of which the American remake
is based upon, is in fact a remake itself of two made-for-TV movies. The
Japanese remake has caused quite a stir in its native Japan, terrifying
audiences even more than the TV movies it is based upon, which is saying
something. Now, the western world has begun to get wind of the films existence,
due mainly to a chilling trailer available across the Internet and because of
this, the original TV movies are garnering attention too. So what is this film
that has courted so much interest you ask?
The film in question is called 'Ju-on: The Grudge.' The TV movies are called
'Ju-on: The Curse,' and 'Ju-on: The Curse Part 2.' This review is for 'part 1'
of the two part TV movie.
I want to get something clear from the start however, if you're looking for
another big budget, high-tech special effects extravaganza, then read no further,
you'll just be wasting your time and end up extremely disappointed. This film
has diabolically cheap effects and the story moves at an extremely slow pace.
So to you I say do yourselves a favour and leave now, "goodbye."
Now for the few of you that are left, congratulations!
You've justhit the horror jackpot!
You will notice that in my past reviews, there is a pattern, films that make
grown men shake with fear, make me fall asleep.
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre?'
One of my all time favourites, but is it scary?
Hell no!
'Exorcist?'
Don't make me laugh!
'Ring?'
The remake was good I suppose, the Japanese original was better, even creepy
in places but still no "winners cup."
'Ju-on' however gave me the "heebie-jeebies!"
Christ, I needed more than a stiff drink after watching this film!
I did my usual ritual for watching a film, lights out, curtains closed, munchies
on hand next to me, surround sound turned up to a respectable level. After ten
minutes of viewing, I needed new underwear but I wasn't going to search for any
for fear of what else I may find. Yes, for the first time, I watched a film that
actually scared me. This film is that good!
It is obvious as you watch that this film was destined for far more than a humble
little TV screen. The effects may be cheap, the pace may be slow but that's
exactly why it's so damn scary, it takes its time, waiting for the right moment,
then like a celluloid cobra it strikes.
So, what is this film about?
Well, that's where things begin to get complex. Firstly, let me explain the title
and what a "Ju-on" actually is. A "Ju-on" is a spirit of a person who died a
brutal death. The spirit of that person then goes to the place where it spent
most of its life, cursing it with its presence. Anybody who then goes to that
place, the spirit kills, creating another "Ju-on," of which goes to where they
spent most of their life, cursing that place, killing anybody who goes to that
particular place and so on and so on. This is where I was reminded of 'The Ring,'
where the video tape the film is based around originally started in one place
with a handful of people, yet once the tape got out amongst others, it was
duplicated and spread like a disease, just like the "Ju-on" of this film.
The story is split into segments, a separate segment for each particular person
in the film and how a certain house, which serves as the central core of the
movie, affects them and how their own experiences and events affect each other.
The house in question is nothing special apart from the fact that it holds a
very deep, dark secret. The first segment involves a schoolteacher, 'Shunsuke,'
who tells his pregnant wife, 'Manami,' that he is going to visit the house to
find the reason why one of his students, 'Toshio,' has not been attending School
lately. They already both know the boys mother, 'Kayoko,' from their college
days, though they have not kept in touch. He however does not know the father,
'Takeo' at all. Upon arriving at the house, he finds it a complete mess, as
if there has been a violent struggle there. The house appears empty apart from
'Toshio' who is covered in cuts, bruises and bandages. Deciding to wait for
the parents to return so he can find out what has happened, he tries talking
to 'Toshio' but he refuses to speak. He just continuously keeps drawing strange
pictures of his parents and the heads of cats. The segment ends when he decides
to phone his wife on his mobile phone to let her know what has happened and
that he's going to be late back. What he doesn't see however is behind him,
'Toshio' has stopped drawing, is staring at him and the sound of a howling cat
is coming from his open mouth....
The next segment deals with a new family that has moved into the house. A mother,
'Noriko,' daughter, 'Kanna,' and a son, 'Tsuyoshi.' 'Kanna' is on a school holiday
when she goes to the empty school to feed the pet rabbits. So, leaving her friend,
'Yuki,' in the house, off she goes. 'Yuki' however keeps hearing a strange
"creaking" type of noise that is freaking her out. So she tries blocking it out
by listening to her personal CD player. But that mysteriously begins to go faulty
and then she has the life almost scared out of her by an equally mysterious black
cat. Being afraid of cats she decides it would be safer to hide in a cupboard.
However, the cupboard has no ceiling and leads straight into the attic, which
is where that strange creaking noise was coming from....
Meanwhile, 'Tsuyoshi,' has gone onto the school to meet his new girlfriend,
'Mizuho.' When 'Mizuho' arrives she finds 'Tsuyoshi's' bike and a mobile phone
lying upon the floor that doesn't appear to work. Picking up the phone, she
goes inside the school to look for him but is found by one of the teachers,
'Nakamura.' After explaining why she is there, 'Nakamura' tells her to wait
while she goes to find him. What happens while she waits is definitely not for
those with a weak heart. Next we are witness to the police and their investigations
that reveal some startling facts of what I will not spoil. While all this is
taking place, 'Noriko' arrives back home unaware of the events that are currently
happening. Finding the house empty, she takes a phonecall from 'Mizuho' who
cannot find 'Tsuyoshi' at the school. While speaking with `Mizuho,' 'Kanna'
returns home. Asking 'Mizuho' to wait she goes to see if 'Kanna' is okay because
where she has walked, there are drops of blood. What happens next...?
I shall not say, words are not enough; you just have to see it, trust me.
In the final segment the house is empty of residents once again and a real
estate agent, 'Tatsuya,' asks his sister, 'Kyôko,' to go to the house with him
and look it over. Seems she is able to `feel things' of a supernatural nature.
He basically wants to know if the urban legend concerning the house being cursed
is true because he's having trouble selling it with the stigma attached. Again,
what happens I will not say, we do get to see what happened with the schoolteacher
however, 'Shunsuke,' who we left at the beginning being "meowed" at by the boy
'Toshio' and also a possible explanation as to what may have started the chain
of events?
Though not everything has been fully explained so it was obvious there had to
be a 'Part 2.' Saying that though, this easily stands by itself, even without
everything explained.
The acting in this film is superb and the tension is built perfectly. To call
this film a horror masterpiece would to be to grossly underrate it.
The subtitles of this DVD are clear and easily readable. The audio is in Japanese
Dolby 2.0.
Being a Region 0 disc however, it can be played anywhere in the world.
Extras consist of an audio commentary but not having subtitles, I have no idea
what it's like and if it's any good, plus a trailer for the theatrical remake,
'Ju-on: The Grudge.'
Beg, borrow or steal, you have got to see this film, I personally think I have
a new all time favourite horror movie.
Reviewed By Dracula.
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