Post by lostinlimbo on Feb 12, 2020 7:05:19 GMT
I’m a sucker for anything Ju-On/or The Grudge related. Meaning more likely I’ll see it... in spite of its reputation. So this latest remake/or you could say it’s a direct sequel to the 2003 remake was sadly a boring dud of a film. I can see why it bombed, badly. Technically competent, but just so plain and generic all round without any risks. It weakly reworks plot threads and rehashes the same-old jump scares from the previous films, you know the best of hits, but making it a lot more in your face, and a little graphic. Therefore it really lacked the encroaching dread and unease that are evident in the Japanese films, and even to an extent the American remake/sequels of the 2000’s. It’s like the film-makers thought having less lights on, equals atmosphere. There are plenty of scenes like that here, which goes the easy route for a fright. Usually even if the films in the series reused the iconic chills, and some do, at least for most part I was still compelled by the characters/stories. Not the case here.
l had a lot of trouble staying invested in the increasing plights of everyone involved. The interconnecting stories played out in a lackadaisical and uninteresting manner. Everything was just so flat (excluding Jackie Weaver’s performance). Most of the story is spent on a ongoing police procedural, which is kinda drab & the only moments of intrigued are centred around William Sadler’s minor part. While also the plot plods through different timelines following a real estate agent (John Cho) and a elderly couple (Lin Shaye) living in the house. I just felt underwhelmed by what occurred in every sub-plot, especially Cho’s storyline.
Virtually the grudge makes its way to America, hitching a ride with a lady who lived in Kayako’s cursed house in Japan. This lady virtually kills her family, creating the grudge curse in her house and she along with her husband and daughter haunt/attach themselves to whomever sets foot in their house. So yeah, Kayako is only in one scene at the beginning and Toshio is not to be seen. So basically you get an Americanised version of the grudge, and these ghosts are not particularly unnerving with their quick, and jerky appearances. We’ve seen the type before - tired mechanisms. It made me pine for the imagery of Kayako and Toshio creeping about.
Easily the worst film I’ve seen attached to this horror series. Yep, I would rather re-watch the American remake sequels, and that includes the straight to DVD ‘The Grudge 3’ than sit through this snoozer again.