Ju-On: The Curse thoughts
Oh yeah, I finally got round to watching Ju-On (aka Ju-On: The Curse) in the early hours of this morning. Euan & I have pretty much decided that the DVD is a bootleg copy (that eBay seller liiiiiied to me! XD), but the picture & sound quality are pretty good. The subtitles are decent, too (although there were a few little typos now and then).
I really enjoyed it. The sequel, Ju-On 2, is on the same disc, but I'll get round to watching that another day. I've read none-too-pleasant reviews about it, but whatever. I'll watch it for myself before I make any judgements, thank you very much (although it does seem rather pointless that the first half-hour or so of the film is, in fact, the last half-hour or so of the first film - eh?).
Anyway - a few of my thoughts (non-spoilery):
- The film is hell of a lot shorter than I expected - the total running time (including the ending credits) is something like, what, 70 minutes? Very short indeed.
- The ending was a bit too abrupt and anti-climactic. It was like ".......is that it?". Bleh. Oh well.
- The film has a very strong feeling of suspense and dread - just the way I like it in these sorts of films. ^_^
- As incredibly cheap as the special effects are, they didn't lessen the impact for me in the slightest. You don't need buttloads of costly CG and super-realistic effects to create an atmospheric, creepy movie.
- The acting is better than in Ju-On: The Grudge (I'm not saying that the acting in that movie is bad, not at all - but it is a tiny bit unconvincing in some places). In particular, I found the characters Noriko and Yuki to be portrayed very well indeed.
- Chiaki Kuriyama as Mizuho. Whoot. ^_^
- Excellent jump moments, as always. XD
Now for some thoughts of the spoilery variety:
- In life, Kayako certainly comes across as more crazy, obsessive and jealous than she is in the Japanese and US remakes. I mean, that diary of hers? Hey, chill out, woman. For example: In Ju-On: The Grudge, not that much is revealed about her personality (although, as a ghost, she seems a lot less malicious than she is in her other incarnations - she seems more pitiful instead - this is especially apparent in her "crawling down the stairs" scene). I have a feeling that more of this is revealed in the sequel, which I have yet to see. In The Grudge, however, she comes across as obsessive and kind of creepy (come on, she is effectively a stalker), but also timid and quite sweet (that's the impression I got anyway, especially from watching the alternate ending on the Director's Cut version of the DVD *points to icon*). In this original movie, however? Talk about looney. XD
- Oh, Takeo. You crazy, psychotic, unborn-baby-killing bastard. XD
- Speaking of Takeo - much like Kayako, his personality is somewhat different in each version, and this one is no exception. In this one, I think it's safe to assume that he is totally batshit insane. Even more so than he is in the remakes. In Ju-On: The Grudge, he comes across as calculating and sadistic. In The Grudge, he seems a lot more hot-headed. In this original movie, he's kind of like a combination of the two. With extra-special amounts of insanity sprinkled on top.
- Toshio has an evil smile. Seriously. Freaky little kid.
- While we're still on the subject of Toshio, I feel sorry for him. His parents gave him such a bad haircut. XD
- An interesting take on Takeo's death in this version. In The Grudge, it's hinted that he hung himself (although the full version of that scene, as seen in the Director's Cut, may suggest that Kayako had a hand in it). In Ju-On: The Grudge, it's not quite clear - it is mentioned that he was found on a road, which leaves the whole issue open to interpretation. In this version, however, it seems almost certain that Kayako kills him, in an act of vengenance. It should also be noted that this is the first time he's actually shown to be alive outside of a flashback.
- A mildly amusing little thing that happened just after we watched the "mother discovers Kanna with no lower jaw" scene:
Euan: *mildly freaked* ".....that's horrible! *pause* Let's rewind it!"
Me: *rewinds*
Euan: "Now pause it!"
:P
*/geeky ramblings*
Almost immediately after watching the film, however, I realised that I had forgotten to get the washing in off the line (since Euan's parents are on holiday, I've been doing all the washing and suchlike for them). Note that it had gone 2:00 am, it was pitch dark outside, and I'd just watched an unsettling film. I usually don't like venturing into the garden at night by myself as it is! XD
I really must go and have some lunch soon. *Nods*
I really enjoyed it. The sequel, Ju-On 2, is on the same disc, but I'll get round to watching that another day. I've read none-too-pleasant reviews about it, but whatever. I'll watch it for myself before I make any judgements, thank you very much (although it does seem rather pointless that the first half-hour or so of the film is, in fact, the last half-hour or so of the first film - eh?).
Anyway - a few of my thoughts (non-spoilery):
- The film is hell of a lot shorter than I expected - the total running time (including the ending credits) is something like, what, 70 minutes? Very short indeed.
- The ending was a bit too abrupt and anti-climactic. It was like ".......is that it?". Bleh. Oh well.
- The film has a very strong feeling of suspense and dread - just the way I like it in these sorts of films. ^_^
- As incredibly cheap as the special effects are, they didn't lessen the impact for me in the slightest. You don't need buttloads of costly CG and super-realistic effects to create an atmospheric, creepy movie.
- The acting is better than in Ju-On: The Grudge (I'm not saying that the acting in that movie is bad, not at all - but it is a tiny bit unconvincing in some places). In particular, I found the characters Noriko and Yuki to be portrayed very well indeed.
- Chiaki Kuriyama as Mizuho. Whoot. ^_^
- Excellent jump moments, as always. XD
Now for some thoughts of the spoilery variety:
- In life, Kayako certainly comes across as more crazy, obsessive and jealous than she is in the Japanese and US remakes. I mean, that diary of hers? Hey, chill out, woman. For example: In Ju-On: The Grudge, not that much is revealed about her personality (although, as a ghost, she seems a lot less malicious than she is in her other incarnations - she seems more pitiful instead - this is especially apparent in her "crawling down the stairs" scene). I have a feeling that more of this is revealed in the sequel, which I have yet to see. In The Grudge, however, she comes across as obsessive and kind of creepy (come on, she is effectively a stalker), but also timid and quite sweet (that's the impression I got anyway, especially from watching the alternate ending on the Director's Cut version of the DVD *points to icon*). In this original movie, however? Talk about looney. XD
- Oh, Takeo. You crazy, psychotic, unborn-baby-killing bastard. XD
- Speaking of Takeo - much like Kayako, his personality is somewhat different in each version, and this one is no exception. In this one, I think it's safe to assume that he is totally batshit insane. Even more so than he is in the remakes. In Ju-On: The Grudge, he comes across as calculating and sadistic. In The Grudge, he seems a lot more hot-headed. In this original movie, he's kind of like a combination of the two. With extra-special amounts of insanity sprinkled on top.
- Toshio has an evil smile. Seriously. Freaky little kid.
- While we're still on the subject of Toshio, I feel sorry for him. His parents gave him such a bad haircut. XD
- An interesting take on Takeo's death in this version. In The Grudge, it's hinted that he hung himself (although the full version of that scene, as seen in the Director's Cut, may suggest that Kayako had a hand in it). In Ju-On: The Grudge, it's not quite clear - it is mentioned that he was found on a road, which leaves the whole issue open to interpretation. In this version, however, it seems almost certain that Kayako kills him, in an act of vengenance. It should also be noted that this is the first time he's actually shown to be alive outside of a flashback.
- A mildly amusing little thing that happened just after we watched the "mother discovers Kanna with no lower jaw" scene:
Euan: *mildly freaked* ".....that's horrible! *pause* Let's rewind it!"
Me: *rewinds*
Euan: "Now pause it!"
:P
*/geeky ramblings*
Almost immediately after watching the film, however, I realised that I had forgotten to get the washing in off the line (since Euan's parents are on holiday, I've been doing all the washing and suchlike for them). Note that it had gone 2:00 am, it was pitch dark outside, and I'd just watched an unsettling film. I usually don't like venturing into the garden at night by myself as it is! XD
I really must go and have some lunch soon. *Nods*