The Grudge
By Cory Peynado, Blockbuster.co.uk
“The whole time I was in that house I felt something was wrong.”
Critically acclaimed director
Takashi Shimizu pushes the boundary again with “The Grudge”. Building on the huge success of its Japanese version, The Grudge has managed to appeal to an entirely new mainstream audience… partly down to the fact that after films like “
The Ring” hit the scene, movie goers started to appreciate the sheer talent displayed in Japanese horror.
Waves of excitement always hit me when I get the opportunity to watch a movie exactly as the director intended. Especially when it’s a spine-tingling horror movie. I mean how thrilling would it be to find out what the director REALLY wanted to show us in those dark heart-pumping moments.
If you have not seen the Japanese version then you are almost better off than others because you will be watching the best version first. It’s the same film but without a safety net. With its added footage, more lingering on the gore, and some scenes completely changed in order, this version in fact makes things a lot clearer. If you’re not familiar with the story I’ll give you a quick outline;
Sarah Michelle Gellar plays an exchange student studying social work in Japan. She is assigned to cover for a nurse who didn't show up for work and makes her way to her new patients home. She finds an elderly woman who hardly talks but seems almost frightened to be there. It doesn’t take long for the student to realise that there is some other presence in the house with her. We later discover that the house has been cursed with the power to lock a person's soul in a powerful rage before claiming their life and moving on to another victim.
If your already a fan of the Japanese horror genre then this is another slice of your favourite cake… with frosted icing. Films like this are here to grab your attention and push you even further behind your sofa. Being one of my favourite scary movies already I cannot rate this movie highly enough. Add it to you’re list now!