Ju-on: The Grudge 2 Movie Review

by AVForums
Movies & TV Shows Review
Ju-on: The Grudge 2 Movie Review
Ju-on: The curse of one who dies in the grip of powerful rage; it gathers and takes effect in the places that person was alive. Those who encounter it die and a new curse is born... I'm sure I've come across those words before? Ah yes, that would be from my review of Ju-on: The Grudge! Director Takashi Shimizu has obviously decided that Toshio and his mother can still be used for yet more horror shocks - but can the same formula be used to full effect... again? Let's see...

Story wise things follow in a very similar vein to Ju-on: The Grudge - with people dying grisly deaths whenever little Toshio, or his mum, appears - and they appear with frightening regularity. This time though, Director Takashi Shimizu allows the story to revolve much more around a single character - actress and “Horror Queen” Kyoko Harase, and whereas the previous Ju-on revelled in Resident Evil-style camera angles, Shimizu seems to have decided on taking this sequel along slightly less stylised imagery, using a more traditionally Hollywood horror filmmaking approach - indeed I hear there is an American “Ju-on” in the pipeline.

I liked this film - a lot. In fact I think The Grudge 2 surpasses the original Grudge movie in terms of “completeness”, at least. I also found it a little easier to get my head around - remember, there is only a Japanese track here meaning that subtitles are the order of the day and this always makes “getting into” a movie a little more difficult. Now here's a first for me - having enjoyed both Ju-ons I would suggest watching The Grudge 2 first - anything that may be necessary for a full understanding of the storyline running through each movie will not be spoiled by doing this, and I think the original's style will definitely be more appreciated this way round. Both movies are excellent - and both have that demo quality that makes you want to share the experience with friends and loved ones. Now, turn those lights down, increase the volume and get ready for some horror - Ju-on style.

Where to watch Ju-on: The Grudge 2

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