Ju-on: The Grudge 1 (2002) is brilliant. It should be watched before any other Ju-on/Grudge film. A real one-off: trippy, atmospheric, unpredictable, well-acted, nicely shot, genuine chills, great ending....all the elements work. Makes my Top Ten Horror Movies.
I've also seen the first two: Ju-on: Curse 1&2 (both decent but non-essential 7/10), and the first two american ones (6/10 & 4/10). Now the second japanese Grudge...which disappointingly is one of the worst entries...
...it's somehow flat. There's no real atmosphere. The 'scares' are tired rehashes. The trippy factor is missing. The main actress is dull. All the acting is a little basic. Sound-design seems off. Nothing really memorable happens, even the 'twist' felt a bit meh and is an uninspired ripoff of a certain famous american horror-classic from the late-60's.
It was the wrong decision to once again base the story at that same house, especially when the previous film hinted at a more profound event spreading outwards. Deciding not to go the ambitious route and staying safe by sticking to the house and utilising the same scares means this sequel is non-essential viewing...and unlike The Curse it doesn't even have atmosphere or memorable scenes going for it.
So out of now six Grudge movies, the only one definitely worth watching is 2002's Ju-on: The Grudge. The others are for completists. At this stage I don't feel inspired to check out the rest of the series.
Next jap-horror on the watchlist will be either 90's Spiral or the 60's Onibaba. Watch this space :)
I've also seen the first two: Ju-on: Curse 1&2 (both decent but non-essential 7/10), and the first two american ones (6/10 & 4/10). Now the second japanese Grudge...which disappointingly is one of the worst entries...
...it's somehow flat. There's no real atmosphere. The 'scares' are tired rehashes. The trippy factor is missing. The main actress is dull. All the acting is a little basic. Sound-design seems off. Nothing really memorable happens, even the 'twist' felt a bit meh and is an uninspired ripoff of a certain famous american horror-classic from the late-60's.
It was the wrong decision to once again base the story at that same house, especially when the previous film hinted at a more profound event spreading outwards. Deciding not to go the ambitious route and staying safe by sticking to the house and utilising the same scares means this sequel is non-essential viewing...and unlike The Curse it doesn't even have atmosphere or memorable scenes going for it.
So out of now six Grudge movies, the only one definitely worth watching is 2002's Ju-on: The Grudge. The others are for completists. At this stage I don't feel inspired to check out the rest of the series.
Next jap-horror on the watchlist will be either 90's Spiral or the 60's Onibaba. Watch this space :)