Review: The Grudge 2
October 20, 2006UK Release: 20th October 2006
Director Takashi Shimizu has made a career out of ghost stories. Or to be precise, he’s made a career out of retelling the same ghost story over and over. The Grudge 2 is the sixth reworking of his original Japanese outing — 2000’s direct-to-video Ju-on. It’s also a direct sequel to his recent Hollywood remake starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as an American in Tokyo terrorised by ghosts. Gellar returns briefly here, but is largely supplanted by Amber Tamblyn as her sister, who’s trying to stop the supernatural beings reaching the States.
Those familiar with the series will find little that’s original, as Shimizu shamelessly recycles set pieces from earlier incarnations of the story. Yet his masterful ability to inject even innocuous objects (telephones, wardrobes and shower cubicles) with a foreboding sense of dread delivers some occasional, hair-raising chills.
***
UK cinema certificate 15
Running time 102mins
Review by Jamie Russell
