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Category:    Home > Reviews > Horror > The Grudge 2 (Theatrical Edition/DVD-Video)

The Grudge 2 (Theatrical Edition/DVD-Video)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: C+     Film: C

 

 

Boo!  Were you scared?  No?  Well that is about the level of horrific sensation you should be expecting from The Grudge 2.  The sequel to a film that took Sarah Michelle Gellar to a whole new level of ‘bad,’ returns to offer little more than a quick romp through the old stomping grounds of the first film.  Where there is a clear intention from the writers and director to NOT do a clear rehash of the first Grudge, the film fails in creating the balance between old and new.  The horror sequel takes place shortly after the first film, where Sarah Michelle Gellar’s (Karen) character has ended up in a mental institution/hospital after setting the haunted house from the first film ablaze; doing this  in order to rid the world of the terrorizing ghosts.  Karen’s sister Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn) travels to Tokyo in an attempt to bring her ‘troubled’ sister back to the states.  The story slowly takes off as every character gets pulled into this ghostly horror in some nonsensical manner.  The film morphs from what could be a tantalizing, mentally driven, horror film into a ‘who will be left standing’ deathfest.  The story lacks depth, creativity, and is more of the same.  For fans of the first film this may prove to be an entertaining popcorn night on the couch, but in the end the horror elements do not work.

 

The technical aspects of this DVD film release are better than the film itself.  The picture is clear and crisp in its 1.85 X 1 Anamorphic Widescreen format, with the film relying so greatly on shadowing and darkness the film hardly ever appears too dark or gritty.  The only picture problem may be found with the brighter scenes being too washed and white in appearance.  The sound is presented in an adequate Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, that remains balanced throughout but does not ‘pop’ as much as it should in the more sensational scenes.

 

The Extras on this DVD are sufficient in ‘number of’ but lacking in content.  Bonus features include Deleted Scenes that do not add nor detract from the film, and other featurettes discussing the making of the film.  These featurettes include ‘East meets West’ discussing the cultural infusion the film offers, ‘Ready when you are, Mr. Shimizu’ discussing personally why the director took on the sequel, and a story development featurette that is very bare.  Overall, good picture and sound, but the extras are less than adequate, for this less than adequate sequel.

 

Overall, what can be said about this film is that it is a sequel to a horror film that was not that great in the first place.  You may be saying at this point; what does he mean by that?  The basic point is that if you are a fan of horror movies and the first Grudge film made you jump out of your seat, this film may also wet your horror appetite.  This film by no means surmounted to a great cinematic experience, but had some entertaining segments squeezed in between what can only be described as rehashed dribble.  The direction was not as solid as the first film, but at least the writers did not completely repeat by putting Sarah Michelle Gellar back into the leading role; like the writers of The Ring Two did with Naomi Watts.  The writers used plethora of elements such as the sick and dying mother of Karen and Aubrey to attempt to show a family rift, but used it so poorly it seemed worthless to even place it in the film.  The Grudge series is a good concept with poor execution; let’s hope there is not a Grudge 3.

 

 

-   Michael P Dougherty II


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