Anyone see "The Grudge 2"?

[J.H.]

I had my heart set on seeing this on Friday the 13th but the NY Mets game got in the way with the rain out. So how was the sequel because the first one was scary as hell? J.H.

[plain fan]

I saw it last night in a 80% full theater with most of the audience in the jr. high and high school age group. The young girls screamed but I barely moved from my position once or twice during the movie.

It was decent but my expectations were next to nothing for the movie so I guess I would say it exceeded my expectations. The first didn't scare me and the second didn't either. The movie had a few good creepy moments and some interesting ideas but there are a few plot holes big enough to drive a MAC truck through. If you liked the first movie I would recommend seeing the second. If you were neutral on the first movie and interested in the second, catch an afternoon showing. Overall an entertaining movie but YMMV on the scare factor.

[J.H.]

Thanks for your thoughts. I still want to see because i liked the first one. I'll have to squeeze it in sometime this week because "Flags of our Fathers" comes out this week and i can't miss that. Anything about WWII I can't stay away from and this one looks great. J.H.

[srw1000]

My wife and I just watched this sequel last night.

I really liked the first US version (even more than Ju-on), but the sequel seemed to be flat, in comparison.

The visuals and sound are both very well done. The surround effects were especially effective and well-placed. Additionally, the LFE channel is also used to great effect, never overpowering, but an appropriate enhancement to the movie. The look of the movie really adds to the creepy atmosphere, and fits the story well.

Unfortunately, the story just isn't there. Unlike the first movie, this movie fell flat plot-wise. Watching it, I couldn't get over the feeling that this movie was done for the sake of a creating a sequel, rather than telling a story. Although there were some interesting revelations, the film never pulled me in. The characters weren't particularly interesting, and the plot seemed to drag in sections.

Fright-wise, there weren't very many shocking scenes, either. I literally jumped in my seat at one point in The Grudge, but this one only managed a couple of creepy moments. Maybe watching the first movie lessened the potential shock value?

The non-linear storytelling style has been continued, but didn't have the same effect or feel of prior version.

One thing that I thought was overdone, and could have been much more subtle, was showing one of the two spirits appear in the background of the scene. In numerous shots, something that could be Kayako or Toshio is seen, which is creepy. But, then the focus and framing of the camera is shifted to show that image in the center of the frame. This would have been much more effective if the camera would have remained, leaving a sense of ambiguity in the audience's mind.

Viewing the extras, there was quite a discussions between the Japanese developers and the American developers as to how the movie should be written and made. The result was a series of compromises, that doesn't fully live up to either potential.

One thing to note, is that The Grudge 2 is not just a remake of Ju-on: The Grudge 2, but a completely different story. I have not seen the second Ju-on, so I will have to check that one out.

There will be both a Ju-On 3, and a Grudge 3, so we'll have to see how those turn out. It will be interesting to see how those movies are produced, and how they compare to the original versions.

Scott

[C*Tedesco]

I just watched this last night as well and I was suprised on how much I liked it. Maybe it was all the bashing it took while in theaters and therefore went in with really low expectations. Is it as good as the first? Nope, but there were some creepout scenes that I thought were on par with the first.

Not going to repeat with srw1000 said, but I agree 100% with the DVD. The sound effects were spot on as was the video and definately added to the movie.

Personally I would recommend if you are a fan of the first.

[thehun]

I did see Grudge 2 and original Ju-On. I never saw Grudge, but always assumed that it was just a remake of Ju-On. It turns out that's not true, so I guess I have to visit the Grudge after all. I didn't like Ju-On I thought it was just silly, the same goes for Ringu, however I liked Ring quiet a bit. I guess I'm just not a fan for Japanese horror cinema.

[BMaugans]

Ju-On 2 is one of the biggest messes of a movie I've seen in a while. I usually like Asian horror films, but I could not wait until that one was over.

Haven't watched Grudge 2 yet, but don't expect much from it anyway...

[spyder696969]

Lame. And this is coming from someone that's favorite genre is horror. Not even worth a rental.

[Wytchone]

Lame. And this is coming from someone that's favorite genre is horror. Not even worth a rental.

Yep sums it up.

[ApolloCreed]

Almost as good as the first. Firing up the HT and getting ready to watch it right now. The soundtrack in this movie is one of the best I've heard. Seriously.....

[like.no.other.]

Well while the movie sucked, the sound is great. They manage to scare me utilizing the
surroung speakers good. There isn't a freak-me-out-bass-out moments but the sound
is good. The picture is good but not great (using 480p).