- Note: Blu-ray discs are in a high definition format and need to be played on a Blu-ray player. To find out more about Blu-ray, visit our Hi-Def Learn & Shop store.
- Important Information on Firmware Updates: Having trouble with your Blu-ray disc player? Will certain discs just not play? You may need to update the firmware inside your player. Click here to learn more.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's not the scary hit that The Ring was in 2002, but The Grudge makes a similarly convincing case for American remakes of popular Japanese horror films. Barely a year passed between the release of Takashi Shimizu's creepy ghost story Ju-On: The Grudge and the production of this American remake, set in Tokyo and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar in her first post-Buffy horror film. About the only significant difference between the two films is the importing of a mostly-American cast (including Bill Pullman, Clea DuVall and Grace Zabriskie), but The Grudge was reconfigured (by screenwriter Stephen Susco) to allow Shimizu to refine and improve the spookiest highlights of his earlier version, which enjoyed previous incarnations as a short film and two made-for-Japanese-video features. Surprising box-office analysts with a $40 million opening weekend, The Grudge may disappoint hard-core horror fans because it lacks gore and graphic violence, but as a creepy tale about a very haunted house, it's guaranteed to send a few chills up your spine. --Jeff Shannon
Synopsis
A remake of the Japanese horror hit Ju-on (widely considered to be one of the scariest movies ever made), The Grudge is helmed by its original director Takeshi Shimizu. Like its predecessor, this Hollywood version of the film takes place in Tokyo, but most of the main characters are American, including Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a young social worker, and her peers. When Karen enters a seemingly abandoned home to look after a mentally disturbed resident, she soon discovers that there's an evil - and very aggressive - presence in the house, and it's lashing out at every person that sets foot inside. Having directed both the original Ju-on and its sequel in Japan, Shimizu was very familiar with his own tale of terror by the time he directed its 2004 incarnation. Using many of the key actors from the previous films (including Takako Fuji and Yuya Ozeki who have unforgettable roles), Shimizu recreates the story with the added advantage of a Hollywood budget (acquired with the help of producer Sam Raimi of Spider-Man fame, who is also a noted horror-movie director). As with many Japanese horror films (particularly the original Ring, which strongly influences this movie), The Grudge relies on atmosphere over plot, resulting a series of utterly chilling moments that will leave viewers fascinated and unbelievably frightened.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was a little sceptical of this film before seeing it as I thought that it was trying to ride on the back of the ring and similar films that have been hits in Japan and then remade for the western audience; however I'm pleased to say that this film did exactly what it said on the tin; scared me!
I must of seen a thousand 'scary' movies and it has to be said that only about 2 or 3 percent of them were actually scary. This is one of those rare releases. It will make you jump, and it will probably dissuade you from going downstairs in the dark for a late night cup of cocoa!
The cast play out the film well, but as with most horrors, there's little chance of any oscars being thrown their way. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy, IKWYD Last Summer, Scooby Doo) plays Karen, an exchange student who volunteers at a care centre. She gets assigned to a patient whose normal carer has not turned up for work that day. Once she gets to the house of the patient she finds the patient collapsed on the floor, with the place looking a tip. Her life will never be the same again! Ted Raimi (whose been in everything from Evil Dead to Candyman to Wishmaster to the Spiderman movies) plays a rather geeky manager, he appears to be the manager of the care center where Karen works. He doesn't add much to this movie and it seems as though he was an afterthought in the writer or directors mind...he's not so convincing as the other characters which include Jason Behr (from the TV series 'Roswell') as Karen's boyfriend Doug, and William Mapother (Minority Report, Vanilla Sky, Swordfish, Mission Impossible II) as Matthew Williams.
The whole movie shifts about in time, we start at one point, then at the end of that scene, we switch to a few days earlier, then we switch to another time, then another time...but it's not done in a complicated 'Donnie Darko' way, it's easy enough to follow the movie.
If you're looking for a thought provoking, intellectual movie, this isn't for you.
If you're looking for a horror that's got plenty of irony, sarcasm and wit in it...this film also isn't for you.
This film is for those that just want plain horror and something to make you and your mates jump!
I enjoyed this movie, it was refreshing to find a horror movie that did it's job. :)
Baz
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is not your usual Horror film, filled with blood and violence. This takes me back to the time where you sat in a dark theater. When you and your date would jump at the same time. And you would see some people covering their eyes, so as not to jump the next time.
Yes this movie is a supernatural tale. And it is scary. There is more then one part that will make you jump. And that is what I like about this movie. It can scare you without all the unnecessary violence and blood. The level of expectation is kept up throughout the whole movie. It kept my suspense level almost peaked the entire movie.
The story is well written. It gives you time to think. And the horror seems to never end. Just keeps coming and coming...it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I would recommend watching this in a dark room with friends. Those who scream and jump will just add to the suspense for you.
Yes this movie is a supernatural tale. And it is scary. There is more then one part that will make you jump. And that is what I like about this movie. It can scare you without all the unnecessary violence and blood. The level of expectation is kept up throughout the whole movie. It kept my suspense level almost peaked the entire movie.
The story is well written. It gives you time to think. And the horror seems to never end. Just keeps coming and coming...it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I would recommend watching this in a dark room with friends. Those who scream and jump will just add to the suspense for you.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
When i first saw this film, i was by myself with the lights off and the curtains and blinds closed! I watched it all the way through! I couldnt get up and stop it because it was the best horror movie i have seen yet. Although some of it gets confusing because there is the past and present.
Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar- Buffy, Scooby-Doo), an american nurse living and working in Tokyo is exposed to a supernatural curse, a one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim!
I would give this film 5 stars because of the scary effectiveness and sound effects with the Grudge's voice. Some of you may agree with me that this is the best thriller since 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Scream Trilogy'. Thankyou for reading this. Make sure you like scary movies and dont get nightmares (definetly) or you will not be going to sleep for a while!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
"..ANOTHER TOP REMAKE.."
This is another fine horror remake from a cult Japanese movie idea, a real genuine spine chiller guaranteed to freak you out, the story is great and is paced out much better than... Read more
Published 29 days ago by S. Drury
wooooooo:D
a great creepy film that will make you keep looking behind you to make sure the grudge is not there. Very entertaining and good for those people who like a lot of tension. Read more
Published 2 months ago by potatoes;)
Up there with the greats!
I love horror films, not many scare me to the extreme that this did! I even have bolts on my attic and didn't dare open my eyes in the dark for weeks haha, If anyone asks me best... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Carlyflower
Watched before going to bed!
Stupidly I watched this late at night just before going to bed! I did not sleep well at all. This is no gore-fest horror movie but all the better for it. Just a very (very! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mb Picton
Depressing.
This movie isn't scary particularly scary.It's fairly boring and disturbing.
Made me jump a few times but meh, nothing to shout about. Read more
Made me jump a few times but meh, nothing to shout about. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Peter Strange
good film! but wouldnt say the scariest!
i first gave this film a proper watch when i met the missis. she jumped at every jumpy bit which i must say thats what made me jump! not the film!. Read more
Published 11 months ago by zombie1
Love it =)
Personallity I have quite liked this movie even thou it may be a bit confusing as to what is doing on with all the all of a sudden random switching to different scenes and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by hayley-kathleen
Slow getting into it
this was slow getting fully into it, some of the parts were really scary but its nothing to write home about, cant even remember what really happens in this but watch it everyones... Read more
Published 19 months ago by EmmaL
Never hold a grudge
One of the few films that I have seen that is truly terrifying. Manages to sustain the tension level and level of unease and also provides several jump moments. Well worth seeing
Published 20 months ago by Darktan
If you want to be scared, watch this!
I've watched many horror films and not one has scared me at all, until I watched The Grudge. It holds your interest throughout and provides many edge-of-seat moments. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by petal
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
