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Shutter (2004)

  Tags: Asian Horror, Banjong Pisanthanakun, ghosts, Parkpoom Wongpoom, shutter, spirits, thai, thailand


5.5
Your rating: None Average: 5.5 (4 votes)
Reviewer Rating: 
7

shutter.jpg
Rating #: 
7/10
Director: 
Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom
Runtime: 
97 minutes
Cast: 
Ananda Everingham, Natthaweeranuch Thongmee, Achita Sikamana, Achita Wuthinounsurasit


All I can say about this film is "about time". Thailand has sadly been plagued with horror films filled with unoriginality, unintentional lame-ness, and a lot of silly and unnecessary humor. Of course there are a few exceptions -- Nang-Nak, and now Shutter. I really liked this movie; it was an interesting mixture of Hong Kong's The Eye and Japan's Ju-On: The Grudge, but with a twist of realism. That realism is that of the use of actual photos that supposedly show the spirits of passed loved ones, that I guess still stick around even after death. It seems as though Thailand is finally catching up to Japan and South Korea with their countless ghost flicks. Hell, this movie kicks a lot of those unoriginal and predictable South Korean flicks square in the nuts.

The movie follows a young couple as they drive home after a night of boozing with friends. On their way home they hit someone, and instead of seeking aid, they flee. Shortly after, they begin seeing strange things and encounter events that can only be explained as that of the supernatural. The man is a freelance photographer, so his first encounter is from a picture he took recently. It doesn't take the duo long to figure out that a good way of spotting a ghost before it shows itself is to use photography, so armed with a Polaroid camera and little knowledge of the woman they supposedly hit, they set out to dig up the history of the person, in hopes of putting a stop to the haunting.

Like I said above, I really like this movie. Most of the scares aren't the same-old crap that we usually see and they don't try hard to turn it into another Ringu copy-cat. No, the scares are effective and the atmosphere is creepy. Although the events that lead to climax is somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed it as though I didn't know what was going to happen. I only hope that North America doesn't catch wind of this film and decide to remake it. I think it's a movie that'll be best just getting a limited theatrical release and a straight-to-video effort, slipping under the radar and slowly becoming a cult favorite among horror fans. I even liked the DVD it came with, because even the deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes stuff had subtitles, which is very rare when it comes to import DVDs. Actually I think this is the first import DVD I've seen that has subtitles in the bonus stuff.

This is a solid Thai ghost flick that's an interesting mixture of The Eye and Ju-On: The Grudge. Definitely worth a check if you're into Asian horror.

Posted on August 17, 2009 - 6:06pm | FrighT MasteR

Escherid's picture
OfflineUser offline. Last seen 18 weeks 2 days ago.

This has to be one of my favourite movies. The plot is original, the effects are outstanding, and it's never boring. There's something about Asian horror films that are unlike everything else out there. Of course, like every other Asian horror film, there had to be an american remake that did nothing but sexualize and tear apart the original glory of this film.

My advice? If you want a really good horror flick that will have your skin prickling even after it's over, this one is your movie.


theblue1's picture
OfflineUser offline. Last seen 4 hours 42 min ago.

And only I saw the remake which was not so good. Cool, now I have another Asian horror film I'd like to check out. Crazy


Escherid's picture
OfflineUser offline. Last seen 18 weeks 2 days ago.

After watching the original, you'll see just how much of an abomination the American remake is. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did and still do.


     

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