The Grudge 2
By Cherie Kellies, Blockbuster.co.uk

I know, ok, I know! Whenever we see the dreaded and cursed number 2 in front of any movie, visually, it just translates as a big flashing red light and therefore we avoid. And heck, we’re usually right to do so. I could reel off a few examples but I’ll spare them the embarrassment. It’s usually a systematic cash maker trying as hard as it can reincarnate the sparks of the first and if put on the spot I’m sure some film-makers would admit this but fear not my friends, The Grudge 2 has been brought to the masses from the brilliant original Japanese story (Ju-on The Grudge 2) so the only thing they can really do is ruin it. Thankfully they haven’t.

What they have done is turned the heat things up a couple of notches and placed it in a more modern setting. We basically pick up from where we left off in the first film. Karen Davis (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is now in hospital recovering from the events of the first chapter. This serves as no protection for her though as the curse from the house still manages to pay her a little visit. This is when her sister, Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn) enters the story determined to discover what is happening to Karen and whether the tales of the house are actually true.

Watching the first film is not a necessity in this case as things are pretty well clarified. The focus is still based on the Japanese folk-law tale where if a person dies in a state of rage, that torment remains to haunt the house they lived in and all those who enter. Early on in the film three unbelieving teenage girls walk straight into the house (the ones with no respect always get it worse than the rest) so as you can imagine they learn pretty quickly about the consequences.

After being drawn into the house herself, Aubrey follows the clues to try and pin down the origins of the curse and ultimately how she can break it. Joining her on this scary trail is keen reporter Eason (Edison Chen) He also believes he has been affected by the curse so he is just as determined as she is to discover the secrets of the house.

The movie has all the chills and spine-tingling thrills of the first film. The disturbing little boy of the house and his playful cat return as well to push you even further into decent. Fans will welcome the return of such a loved classic horror film and others who are new to the story will just enjoy a great night behind the couch. Director of the first film, Takashi Shimizu, certainly hasn’t lost his touch when it comes to raising the hairs on the back of our necks so your in pretty safe hands.

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