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Amazon.co.uk Review
The Grudge 2 is a spooky installment in Takashi Shimizu's hardworking Ju-on/Grudge series of horror pictures. It doesn't carry the disorienting thrill of the very first Japanese Ju-on features, but it's a lot creepier than anybody could have expected. The story picks up from the end of the first Hollywood version of The Grudge, and has nothing to do with Ju-on 2, Shimizu's Japanese sequel. Sarah Michelle Gellar returns (a distinctly supporting role) as an American woman traumatized by her experiences with a haunted house in Tokyo; younger sister Amber Tamblyn flies over to help out. This particular storyline doesn't have much meat on it; the murder house is still there, and people who go inside have a disconcerting habit of dropping dead. Fortunately, two other plots thread into the basic one: a group of American schoolgirls in Tokyo become intrigued by the legend of the house, and some Chicago apartment dwellers are unsettled by domestic anxiety and the weird sounds coming from next door. (This storyline, featuring Jennifer Beals, gives the film its extremely satisfying opening sequence.)
As usual with these movies, sequences come to us in non-chronological order, and it's up to us to piece it together. You can guess where the film is going, but the slow trajectory toward its final sequences is surprisingly involving. The movie was widely panned upon its release, which says more about the presumption of the law of diminishing sequel returns than the film itself--it's a decent little horror flick. --Robert Horton
Synopsis
The titular curse expands along with the franchise in the sequel to The Grudge, which itself was a remake of the Japanese original for American audiences. The film has an ensemble cast and an extensive number of subplots that further reflect this tendency towards expansion. The story picks up right where the last one ended, with Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) in the hospital, the only survivor of an ill-fated encounter with a cursed house. She has not emerged unscathed, however, and it's up to her estranged sister, Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn, Joan of Arcadia), to figure out the mystery behind the strange goings-on related to the now half-demolished house. In doing so, she teams up with a journalist named Eason (Edison Chen), who has been following the case from the very beginning, and the pair embark on a trip to the decidedly creepy Japanese countryside, hoping to visit the mother of one of the house's original inhabitants. Meanwhile, three teenage girls who attend a local international high school are haunted by nightmarish encounters, which begin after they venture inside the house to pull a mean prank on the new girl. When one of the girls returns home to Chicago, the curse spreads to her apartment building, where members of a family that have recently acquired an unexpected new stepmother (Jennifer Beals, Flashdance,, The L Word) violently turn on one another. Symptoms of the curse begin to turn up everywhere, while a horrified Aubrey learns that there is no way to stop it from spreading. Although the film suffers from a diffuse plotline, the high production values and well-executed special effects ensure a highly satisfying experience for discerning viewers out for a thrill.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Dino below got it right. This is a poor sequel to what was a pretty good original remake if you know what I mean. Admittedly, a few drinks had been taken by myself before I sat down to watch this late on a Saturday night but even through my mellowness, I could still spot pooingtons.
There's a couple of clues right from the start that this movie may not live up to what's gone before (in either the Japanese or US offerings of TG1). Firstly the Columbia Lady with the torch sprouts long, lank, black hair before the film's even started and although this is a neat touch it kind of suggests a "fun factor" creeping in (oh-oh! She's back!). Secondly the delightful SMG jumps ship (or roof) almost immediately; perhaps (as she's supposed to be quite a smart cookie in real life) she could smell a stinker coming on.
The rest of the movie then goes on to be a bit of a mess with a couple of intertwining but obvious strands that conclude with Amber Tamblyn's character racing off to find the root of the straggly-haired one's grievances before a convenient switching of action to the US in time for No3 of the franchise. The scary bits - although well executed - are for me not quite as skin-crawlingly creepy as they were in the first and, at some points, are over too quickly. That said there is still enough imagination behind these sequences to put many other horror films to shame.
The trouble with TG2 is that it's gone off on it's own direction away from the Japanese sequel and succumbed to commercial pressures meaning that we have to suffer a bunch of American schoolgirls (in Japan) plus this whole other Chicago "family?" who are living in the oddest apartment I have ever seen (it's entirely Khaki). Finally (and going back to the fun-horror bit) the creeping things in the movie are somehow starting to shape up like familiar characters in the way they are presented - (like more recent Jason's and Freddies). I only hope we don't grow to love them too.
PS: on the upside we do get Jennifer Beals bouncing back to demonstrate that she's a dab hand in the kitchen.
There's a couple of clues right from the start that this movie may not live up to what's gone before (in either the Japanese or US offerings of TG1). Firstly the Columbia Lady with the torch sprouts long, lank, black hair before the film's even started and although this is a neat touch it kind of suggests a "fun factor" creeping in (oh-oh! She's back!). Secondly the delightful SMG jumps ship (or roof) almost immediately; perhaps (as she's supposed to be quite a smart cookie in real life) she could smell a stinker coming on.
The rest of the movie then goes on to be a bit of a mess with a couple of intertwining but obvious strands that conclude with Amber Tamblyn's character racing off to find the root of the straggly-haired one's grievances before a convenient switching of action to the US in time for No3 of the franchise. The scary bits - although well executed - are for me not quite as skin-crawlingly creepy as they were in the first and, at some points, are over too quickly. That said there is still enough imagination behind these sequences to put many other horror films to shame.
The trouble with TG2 is that it's gone off on it's own direction away from the Japanese sequel and succumbed to commercial pressures meaning that we have to suffer a bunch of American schoolgirls (in Japan) plus this whole other Chicago "family?" who are living in the oddest apartment I have ever seen (it's entirely Khaki). Finally (and going back to the fun-horror bit) the creeping things in the movie are somehow starting to shape up like familiar characters in the way they are presented - (like more recent Jason's and Freddies). I only hope we don't grow to love them too.
PS: on the upside we do get Jennifer Beals bouncing back to demonstrate that she's a dab hand in the kitchen.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
It's true that sequels are often a poor echo of the original film, and I was expecting as much from the Grudge 2. But I have to disagree on this one - I thought the level of suspense and terror was as high, if not higher than the first Grudge film - this had our nerves in shreds! The dark, jarred atmosphere is honed to perfection in a film oozing cynical pessimism and hopelessness.
Some of the visual tricks we might have seen before - the sudden, jerky movements, for example - but they work well and never fail to horrify. The director expertly plays on movements and atmospheres that just seem 'wrong' and unnatural to the viewer, and all the more terrifying for it.
In terms of continuity it follows on well, developing the original Grudge storyline, answering questions and filling in gaps. Saying that, it made sense to a friend who had not seen the first film, so all in all it makes for a good night in hiding behind the sofa!
Some of the visual tricks we might have seen before - the sudden, jerky movements, for example - but they work well and never fail to horrify. The director expertly plays on movements and atmospheres that just seem 'wrong' and unnatural to the viewer, and all the more terrifying for it.
In terms of continuity it follows on well, developing the original Grudge storyline, answering questions and filling in gaps. Saying that, it made sense to a friend who had not seen the first film, so all in all it makes for a good night in hiding behind the sofa!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The Grudge 2 is the imaginatively named sequel to The Grudge film which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar (a popular stateside remake of a eastern horror hit).
Here we find Ms Gellar being held up in a Japanese hospital accused or arson after burning down the haunted house in the last installment. Her slightly drippy sister has been sent by their mother to bring her home, but finds more than she bargained for (shock, horror!).
Alongside this 'main' storyline are two other current subplots and the orginal mythology (the haunting bit). The first subplot involves three female students who attend an international college in Japan. The three girls visit the gutted haunted house to scare one of the trio (you might just be able to spot the victim). It goes without saying that their prank has unintended consequences for all three. The second subplot is set in an apartement in New York where a newly formed family have a bit of an Amtyville moment. How are these storylines linked? Watch and find out (maybe). Now for the critique...
On the plus side this film is very scary and does not shy away from providing these scares thick and fast (and very well lit). The film looks good, is acted well and is an enjoyable thing.
There are however some negatives. It could be argued that there is a bit too much going on for a movie of this running time (what with all the plots, sublots and mythology knocking about). Because of this nothing really feels fully resolved and the ending is rather abrupt. Secondly TG2 seems to rely on ideas from other films quite heavily. As in the precursor, The Ring is a strong point of reference, but in addition other classics are obviously drawn on (The Amtyville Horror, Carrie and The Exorcist, to name a few). Finally the main protaganist (I think it's supposed to be Sarah Michelle Gellar's sister) isn't particularly likeable. Unfortunately this means that by the end of the film you're sort of rooting for the ghost.
Having said all this, The Grudge 2 is a really good film and I would definetly recommend it. It would have been better with more SMG though.
Here we find Ms Gellar being held up in a Japanese hospital accused or arson after burning down the haunted house in the last installment. Her slightly drippy sister has been sent by their mother to bring her home, but finds more than she bargained for (shock, horror!).
Alongside this 'main' storyline are two other current subplots and the orginal mythology (the haunting bit). The first subplot involves three female students who attend an international college in Japan. The three girls visit the gutted haunted house to scare one of the trio (you might just be able to spot the victim). It goes without saying that their prank has unintended consequences for all three. The second subplot is set in an apartement in New York where a newly formed family have a bit of an Amtyville moment. How are these storylines linked? Watch and find out (maybe). Now for the critique...
On the plus side this film is very scary and does not shy away from providing these scares thick and fast (and very well lit). The film looks good, is acted well and is an enjoyable thing.
There are however some negatives. It could be argued that there is a bit too much going on for a movie of this running time (what with all the plots, sublots and mythology knocking about). Because of this nothing really feels fully resolved and the ending is rather abrupt. Secondly TG2 seems to rely on ideas from other films quite heavily. As in the precursor, The Ring is a strong point of reference, but in addition other classics are obviously drawn on (The Amtyville Horror, Carrie and The Exorcist, to name a few). Finally the main protaganist (I think it's supposed to be Sarah Michelle Gellar's sister) isn't particularly likeable. Unfortunately this means that by the end of the film you're sort of rooting for the ghost.
Having said all this, The Grudge 2 is a really good film and I would definetly recommend it. It would have been better with more SMG though.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
"..AWESOME SUPERIOR HORROR SEQUEL.."
This is a fantastic horror sequel with a great story thats full of creepy and nightmarish imagery that you wont be able to get out of your head, Gellar only has a cameo in this one... Read more
Published 29 days ago by S. Drury
a great film
the film has everything in it that it needs it creates fear it is well worth watching, it grips you and makes you take notice. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. John Saunders
Grudge 2
The product was easy to find on the website, the DVD arrived quickly it was in excellent condition. Quick, reliable way to buy.
Published 8 months ago by Andrea
Scary, but no real climax.
I love all the grudge films, so I am slightly biased in rating this, but have given it a four anyway because, as always, I found it pretty terrifying, begging Kayako not to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by James Hearn
Meh
I wasn't the hugest fan of the original remake, but got this as it wass on offer. It wasn't awful, it was watchable, but was very very predictable, so predicatble in fact that you... Read more
Published on 2 April 2009 by raven_guest
TROUBLE SLEEPING
I have trouble sleeping after watching the grudge films
very scary not a lot of gore just a very creepy storyline and effects
very scary not a lot of gore just a very creepy storyline and effects
Published on 14 Mar 2009 by A. Girvan
Disappointing sequel
I bought this film because I loved "The Grudge" and found it absolutely terrifying. This sequel didn't live up to my expectations at all. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2008 by germanirish
In my opinion it's a great sequel.
Continueing on the greatness of grudge 1 this is slightly worse but it's still god no where near as good as the first one though. Read more
Published on 13 July 2008 by MrMetalheadO'Hagan
Scared the life out of me...
Scared the life out of me! The Grudge character has to be the most disturbing, frighting film character of all time! Worth it just to see her preformance! Read more
Published on 10 May 2008 by Buys tons of stuff
This film sucks
I never went to see this film when it came out because the first us remake was bad and to be honest the sequel to the original Japanese film is just as bad. Read more
Published on 13 April 2008 by Mark
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