UHM - Review - One Missed Call

This is Takashi Miike's first effort into mainstream film. After debuting with direct-to-videos, he now dishes out a big-budgeted mainstream horror flick, and pulls it off well in my opinion. He manages to turn a tired theme into something different by adding interesting elements, which I'll get to later.

The plot itself is like a mixture of different films; basically being about a group of friends, who each begin receiving strange phone calls on their cells. In the calls it appears to be the voice of the owner of the phone, but dated sometime in the future. Not only that, but it's apparently themselves speaking to someone before they die. Now after the remaining group members realize what's going on, they attempt to pinpoint the cause before it finishes them off. Amidst the chaos, a Japanese television crew gets hold of the info about the supposed phone-calls-of-death and seek out the remaining members in hopes of broadcasting a live exorcism before the next victim gets it. Cool stuff!

This movie surprised me. It got a lot of mixed reviews, so I wasn't expecting much. I liked the fact that the thing happening with the group wasn't limited to just the group. Once the television crew found out, we were sucked into something totally different. Normally in horror flicks such a wide audience doesn't witness what's happening, so since this movie does that and pulls it off well, it actually made things a lot more interesting and enjoyable. Of course the same old scare tactics that we've seen used countless times in other supernatural Asian flicks are used, but it still somehow makes certain scenes seem fresh and creepy. I'd have to probably thank Takashi Miike for that, because he's a talented director that I believe gets better with time. In the end I felt it was a good movie. It has an over-used theme, but thanks to some interesting directions it took, things were a lot more enjoyable for me.

OVERALL

A tired theme, but an enjoyable movie. Same-old scare tactics, but with some interesting new twists. Recommended, but don't go in expecting a whole lot.

Comments page 5 of 5:

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JaMeS :

Posted Yesterday

terrible idea and a very shameful attempt at horror and the ones who think that its good have been shovel fed too many bad movies to spot a good one.

Shores Haunted :

Posted 2 days ago

the movie just didn't make any sense... not that movies like pumpkinhead and the Ring are realistic, but at least they explain why everything is happening. it had a weak premise and the story was full of holes. plus, they tried too hard to emulate other japanese-based, american-made ghost movies and just ended up with a cluster-fuck.

Laurennnnnnn :

Posted 7 days ago

i thought this was a terrific movieeeee i love it sooo much i watch everyday before i go to sleep im in love with it

Charlie :

Posted 9 days ago

I have to admit, I was impressed overall. I am one who enjoys asian remakes and I think this movie had some very creepy special effects. I give this movie a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Jon G :

Posted 10 days ago

i really did not like this movie. the only good part was with the cat

charles :

Posted 14 days ago

saw it ,sucked waste of your time dont even bother

eviltwin :

Posted 17 days ago

So i recently seen this movie in the video store and was kinda skeptical in renting it due to the reviews its been getting through this website. Anyways renting this film was worth a watch i have not seen the original so i cant compare the two films but watching the remake was worth 2.99. I have seen a hell of alot worse movies out there this film aaiiggghhhttttttttttt.

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