Ju-on: The Grudge

Rating: 9/10
Year: 2003
Genre: Horror
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Cast: Megumi Okina, Takako Fuji

This was the first Ju-on film I watched and I thought 'wow, I love it!'

I loved the way we followed the siz different stories: Reika, Katsuya, Hitomi, Toyama, Izumi and Kayako- backwards in time, and they all fitted into one story.

Made after the two successful TV series of a similar story, this movie was a hit in Japan in 2003, following a similar style to movies such as Ringu.

There is very minimal CGI in this film, and that's what I love about it. Films that use too much CGI often aren't enjoyable for me- it takes the horror away, when everything is clearly computerised. I don't mind a bit, here and there, as it is often necessary, but films such as The Mummy, and also White Noice, in which, specifically, things were getting ridiculous by the end, well.... lets just say, give me a choice between the two, and I'd pick Ju-on: The Grudge everytime.

There was definitely a message in this films about the values of Japanese society. In Japan, it is common that the husband goes out to work- he is the breadwinner, the 'salary man'- whilst his wife stays at home, looks after the children/house etc but also any elderly parents. Respect for elders is a key factor in Japan. In this films, Sachie, an elderly woman, seems to have been some what neglected. I think a message is in there, a point being made about the decline in respect for elders in society today, and here is an example of the chaos that will ensue, if these values are left to slip.

What is interesting in this film is the fact that it is mainly shot in the day time- even the most scary scenes. This makes the film alot more realistic, for me, than it being shot in that typical, dark, haunted houde atmosphere, as most other horror films are.

I really like this film- again it is in my list of favourites. I love how there is no sort of 'happy ending'- no 'this is how we resolve a situation.' That would be a typical trait of a Western Film- find a haunting, find a way to resolve it, we all live happily ever after.

But in the East, there is the idea that, whatever this haunting may be, it is usually much bigger than you- sometimes the situation can't be resloved, and this applies to this film. I love it.

Went straight out and bought the sequel.

Cool guy(s) - Takako Fuji

Reviewed by: Slater & Howard