The Grudge

peter s

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source: The Grudge

This played out like a soft reboot, similar to Rings (sequel from The Ring, which ignored The Ring Two). It clearly exists in the same universe as the previous three American releases, but with time between them and other characters into the mix (plus new audiences watching), it kind of throws elements at you that the previous films had. Therein lies the problem. Although this may be the slightly superior film to Rings, it also was a less necessary sequel. When you look back at what you saw, you ask yourself how the pitch meeting went to green-lighting this installment. I mean, what was the lure that got them to say this was worthy? Rings happened to evolve and modernize its story in a very sensical manner, but The Grudge didn't really breathe new life... and when it tried to, it fell a little flat on its face. I don't know how much money was thrown at this, but it felt a little too produced. A lot of it had to do with the fact that it was brought to the States. I know that little Asian ghost girl horror was so two decades ago, but having that traditional Japanese setting that stemmed from the Ju-On series (shot on a taller frame and on film) gave the previous movies a bit of a rawer, grittier chill factor that this one loses. Not to mention the way they edit the jump scares this time around is Rings-cheesy. They are by far the worst parts of the movie, sadly enough. Props for the R-rating and I think that was excellently used, but I don't think the tone matched the maturer audience that was watching it... as it still had a PG-13 feel to the scares. The thing that I liked most about this movie though was the nonlinear storytelling. They borrowed this from The Grudge 2, although that was kind of a twist in that film that you were jumping different timelines. I liked it so much from that one that you really had to work hard in what you were watching, and all it had to take from this movie was removing the big white lettering telling the year that it was in on shots. The timelessness feel kind of became a theme to the movie, and I think if they made the audience work a little harder at it then it would have a nice full circle feeling to it. But alas, you are always reminded where you are at in the film, so it's not quite as fun. Nevertheless, it was a cool ride to flash back and forward, though it was all exposition vomit anyway. I could have allowed them to stretch the film another 15-20 minutes for more present day substance if they could have found a way to fill it, but for what it did I'd say it was okay. The movie whimpers out at the end for me though, and that was really where I wish it had something else to say about the franchise's evolution when it plainly couldn't. I think that's where it hits its weakest stride. I can imagine sequels to this happening, but they just won't be as fun or freaky unless they return to Tokyo again and have Kayako and Toshio again, throwing less money at it and making it raw and gritty if they're able to. This is a skipper, even for die-hard Grudgies. One last note: This movie has the intentionally funniest scene transition since Napoleon Dynamite's "It's a sledgehammer" moment. That alone was actually worth the price of admission.

I think the main miss and why people hate this movie is it is pimped as a horror movie and it isn't. It is more or less a drama / psychological thriller loosely tied to the original. But instead of rolling out the story you are backtracking events since we arrived in America. I think if people realized the genre jump it would have been received better. It is still creepy and dark but not true horror. I really don't understand the remake comments, it clearly wasn't even a remake or attempt to be, in hindsight after they wrapped up all the story lines it was much better than expected. It was slow though and not horror more psychological thriller. For a 90 minute film it was fine. And they could again add another movie.

I can't believe it's been 16 years since The Grudge came out. Man time flies. I can't review a remake without comparing it to the original. The original, in most cases, is always going to be better. It's true this time around as well. The Grudge 2020 is not bad, it's just not the original. The Grudge 2020 actually takes place in 2006. Well, technically, it takes place in '04, '05, and '06. It skips around from year to year while the center of the story is the house at 44 Reyburn St. in Cross River, PA. In '04 Fiona Landers (Tara Westwood) came home from Japan after being in a home afflicted by the Grudge. She brought that curse home with her to 44 Reyburn St. That became the Grudge's new home or it could have been an entirely different Grudge. In any case, it was now on U.S. soil and people were dying. Like I said, it latched itself to several different people until it latched onto the lead character, Det. Muldoon (Andrea Riseborough). I can appreciate that they didn't just redo what had already been done. By showing the Grudge affecting different people it made it a little fresher. Having said that, I still don't think it needed to be redone. That just shows a lack of creativity on the part of Hollywood, but what else is new.

I see some people here calling this a remake and I'm thinking "Where they even paying attention!?!". This movie is a sequel and takes place during the same timeline of the 2004 version and the years 2005 and 2006. Only this time the curse has been brought to the US by the first nurse that was taking care of the elderly lady from the first movie. Anyways, I have to say the editing is a mess and most of the characters are lifeless, but the actors did their best with what was given. I actually like the cast and I think Lin Shaye and Jacki Weaver are the highlights of the film. Its biggest mistake was not bringing back the iconic ghosts that fans have grown to love. This is their franchise.

I watched the movie because I'm a fan of The Grudge and Ju-on. But I did not expect too much and was ready to be disappointed. Damn, I was pleasantly surprised! I loved the atmosphere of the film, cinematography was superb and the cast is top notch. It's actually not a remake, it is standalone (or more of a sequel) that gave a nod and paid homage to the original films. Loved the fresh take on it. To those wanting to see it should pay close attention to the timeline for them not to get lost. I remember the girl sitting right next to me was asking her friends what was happening towards the end then admitted she wasn't paying attention, so don't make the same mistake. Give it a chance, and you will be surprised. :)