UHM - Review - The Grudge 2

This sequel was placed on the "fast track" shortly after the box-office success of the first film. When it was first announced there was debate whether it would be a remake of Ju-On: The Grudge 2 or if it'd go in its own direction, much like they did with The Ring 2. It was later revealed to not be a remake and even reveal details on the curse and origins of the deadly Kayako, which wasn't brushed on much with the previous films. Original Japanese creator Takashi Shimizu returns to the director's chair once again and Sarah Michelle Gellar reprises her role (although brief). Aside from a few small cameos from other actors reprising their roles, we follow an entirely new cast, even a new Toshio (whom we don't see much of this time 'round). I didn't really like the original films and liked the Japanese remakes only slightly more. The US remake was actually better than the previous installments, so I was hoping this sequel would live up to its predecessor. Sadly, that isn't the case. I suppose it was the fact that this project was rushed, but whatever the reason was, the film doesn't really offer much we haven't already seen.

The story now follows Amber Tamblyn's character as she heads to Japan after hearing the news that her older sister (Sarah Gellar) is under arrest and in the hospital after supposedly starting a fire. Once there, she's warned by her sister of the curse and not to enter the house. While there she also meets a young Chinese journalist (played by famous Hong Kong actor Edisen Chen), whom helps her get answers about the house and what's afflicting her sister. Meanwhile, we also follow a young boy in the US who suspects something is wrong with his neighbors. Apparently the curse has somehow traveled across the world and now resides in this small apartment building, but who could have brought the curse over? The film attempts to not be a rehash of the first by moving the curse over to the US, but not much was actually explored with the curse while it was in the US, so it ends up just being the same-old anyway. In fact, the boy's family seems to become afflicted by the curse to, as the father seems to slowly become angrier, hinting that maybe the events that started the curse in the first place would be repeated.

While the curse is happening in the US, Amber Tamblyn's character is searching for answers with Edisen Chen in Japan. This leads to more details as to the origins of the curse and more background information on Kayako and her mother. It turns out that the mother was somewhat of an exorcist that would extract evil spirits from people and feed them to a young Kayako. The scares that creeped people out in the first film are used once again, which makes them less effective this time 'round. I did notice director Takashi Shimizu incorporating a couple familiar scenes that were taken from the Japanese versions, but they seemed to translate the same, thus, leading to people like me who've seen the previous versions to not be affected by the attempt to scare us. So, while the film attempted to bring forth new scares and a take the story across seas, we end up with just another rehash of the same-old, just with a few new details on the history of the curse.

OVERALL

Although interesting, the film fails to bring forth anything we haven't already seen with the previous film or Japanese installments. Attempting to bring the curse over to the US only seemed to delay the story and gave us a very predictable climax. Worth checking out if you're a fan of the first, but don't expect much.

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llama :

Posted 184 days ago

The Grudge: 8/10.
The Grudge 2: 0/10.

The Reaper :

Posted 273 days ago

the grudge is seriously one of the worst horror films of all time.
the only japanese film that should be americanized is battle royale.
the movie is not even scary the only thing the grudge does is make you afraid of ASIAN CHILDREN. LOL
grudge 3/10
grudge 2 5/10
FUCKING PAINFUL

Daniel :

Posted 373 days ago

The Grudge 8/10
The Grudge 2 7/10

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