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6 out of 7 people found the following review useful: If you've bought the first movie, you may feel a little cheated..., 26 June 2003 Author: mandiapple from Wiltshire, UK
... mainly because Ju-on 2 boasts an outrageous FORTY minutes' worth of material literally taken straight out of the first Ju-on - and when you consider that the sequel only runs for 76 minutes, that leaves you with 36 original minutes' worth of film. Ho-hum. I found that deeply irritating - as if viewers simply wouldn't remember the same stuff! - not to mention dull, having to watch it all over again.OK, that complaint aside, the byline for Ju-on 2 was that it was supposed to explain a lot of the unanswered questions from the first movie, which frankly, over 36 minutes, simply doesn't go far enough to making any kind of sense of the original's highly convoluted storyline.There are, however, some really nice new horror sequences which show how good the film might have been, had it had some time to develop; and some of the questions raised by the original - some, but not all - are answered.So in conclusion - if you loved the first original movie and want to see some further developments on the story, go for it - but just remember to keep your remote control to hand with your finger on the fast-forward button for forty minutes.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Rather disappointing., 15 February 2004 Author: HumanoidOfFlesh from Chyby, Poland
"Ju-On 2" isn't definitely as good as the original.It's very bland and boring film with some occasionally scary moments."Ju-On 2" starts at the beginning of the first film,re-telling the story that started it all in the original "Ju-On",and then about half way into the film the new story picks up.The film offers some downright creepy moments,but there is not enough creepiness for my liking.There is also one scene obviously stolen from Hideo Nakata's horror hit "Ringu"(1998).So if you liked the first film you may be a bit a disappointed with this one.My rating:6 out of 10-and that's being generous.Stick with brilliant original.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: A bit of a letdown, due to repeated footage, 17 September 2003 Author: Martin Wagner from Austin, TX
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Warning: The first 30 minutes of this second entry in the Ju-on series (the first two of which were released direct-to-video) repeats the last 30 minutes of the first movie. Trying to puzzle out why they did this, I can only think it must have been a (rather sleazy) decision on the producers' part to maximize profits from the video release, but putting out two movies instead of one. After all, if you merged the two films with the overlapping footage, you'd still have a feature in the 110 minute range. Jeez.(Mild spoilers follow.)Having said that, this movie continues the creepfest begun in the first to solid effect. What is so cool about the curse concept that Takashi Shimizu has come up with is that EVERY character in this story who encounters Toshio, Kayako, or the dreaded house is affected. Unlike an American horror film, where you'd get a brave hero or heroine figuring out a way at the end to save the day and lift the curse, in this movie, once you're cursed, you're cursed. Screwed. Doomed. It's cool.This is a good series, though I think its low-budget, atmosphere-based approach to frightening audiences won't probably play well to American audiences programmed to expect horror movies to be bombastic, loud, and all about special effects.
4 out of 6 people found the following review useful: Only 45 minutes of new material, 23 July 2004 Author: dbborroughs from Glen Cove, New York
The first TV movie of Ju-on is one of the creepiest movies I've I've seen. This is considerably less so.This film begins with a half an hour of material from the first film. While its good, it slows the forward momentum of this film especially if you watched the previous film in close order.When the new material comes it picks up literally where the first leaves off and follows it to a new end. Some of this is good, but much, like the end, is good looking but rather confused and far from scary. Worse, the now linear story is too literal and doesn't leave enough to the mind.If you need to know what happens after the first film ends, then by all means pick this up for viewing, however if it were up to me I'd just leave the first film be and forget this as a well intentioned mistake.5 out of 10
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Only 45 minutes of original material, but good nonetheless!, 21 July 2007 Author: BenDARK24 from United Kingdom
Some TV series summarise the previous episodes, before the current episode begins; well juon2 takes this concept far beyond what we all would expect and cheats the viewer into watching 30 minutes of footage straight out of the first 'Ju-On: the curse' film. I couldn't believe this the first time is watched this film, I thought I had bought a duff copy or something, until the JuOn2 title appeared. So if you have already seen the first JuOn film, I advise you to fast-forward about 30 minutes to get to some original material.The original material in the film does manage to clear up some of the confusion from the first film by explaining with more clarity what the curse is all about. The cinematography in this film has improved from the original, whilst keeping the hand-held camcorder look of the first film, which in my opinion makes these two films (Ju-on: The curse and Ju-on2) allot more scarier than the 'Ju-on: The Grudge' films. In my opinion this film has some of the best sound effects of any horror film, that manage to effectively create real suspense, tension and lets not forget fear.JuOn2 is roughly about 75 minutes long, minus the 30 minutes of footage from the first film that leaves: 45 minutes of original material. No matter how you try to justify it, you are still paying to see a fully original film, but in reality only getting 1/2 of that film, which is quite frankly outrageous. If this film was 100% original material I would most certainly have given it a higher rating, somewhere around 7-9/10; however because we only get 45mins of a reasonably good film I have given 'Ju-On: The Curse 2' 5/10.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: nearly impossible to find, but worth the effort!, 4 November 2002 Author: Collin Armstrong from Philadelphia, PA
It's been over a year since I started searching for copies of the JU-ON films, and thanks to a few wild dealings with proxy bidding services for Japanese auction sites I was able to track down a copy of part 2. It was well worth the effort!Although the copy of JU-ON 2 I viewed did not have an english-language option, a skeletal understanding of the story was easily discerned and was all that was needed to enjoy the proceedings. The film is a series of lightly-connected vignettes about the various inhabitants of a cursed apartment and the myriad of horrible fates that befall them.After my initial viewing, I felt the film started very slowly and didn't really offer much until its final 20 minutes. The second time around however, I really found myself drawn in from the get-go. While the last 20 minutes do pack the strongest punch, the first 50 minutes build on each other quite well and set you up for what amounts to multiple drop-kicks to your psyche in the final sections. Director Takashi Shimizu conjures up some of the most frightening images yours truly, a fear film vet and the sort of person who scares none too easily, has EVER seen.I recommend this film highly, and wish you luck in tracking down a copy. As for me, I'm off to find the original JU-ON...
Not as good as the first., 23 September 2009 Author: kirk-246 from United States
I enjoyed the foreign horror film 'Ju-on' and the remake that was made by Tackashimi Shimzu, the man who directed the American remake.'Ju-on 2' isn't nearly as good as the first or the remake.Sure, it was worth watching, but the fact that almost half of the movie is the same footage from the first movie makes it seem like one of those movies that you have already seen before.The movie is also short.It runs in at 76 minutes, but really runs at 74 minutes if you take out the end credits.Yeah, it's a pretty short movie.I can't guarantee that if you liked the first movie that you'll like this one.Still, I found 'Ju-on 2' to be an enjoyable sequel.
Great New Plot Helps This Sequel Succeed., 25 March 2009 Author: jimmyb484 from United States
This Japanese sequel to 2000's masterful JU-ON is completely and entirely different from the Americanized sequel (THE GRUDGE 2) in every way possible- which is a good thing. This installment is almost every bit as good as the original; with a new plot, new characters, bone chilling moments galore and an amazing twist, that despite being predictable- is still extremely frightening. A television crew shoots a horror film in the home where Kayoko and her son, Toshio were murdered (big mistake). Not realizing that the dwelling is cursed, they have all inadvertently brought upon their own doom. Leading horror film actress, Kyoko Harase (who starred in the film) is informed that she is 3 months pregnant. This is after losing her first pregnancy in a car wreck (caused by Toshio) that put her husband in a coma. Now all of the people involved in the film have either disappeared or died and Kyoko is wondering who's fetus is growing inside of her. This is a great premise, filming a movie inside of a movie and using the cursed home as the setting! Contrived, cruel and predictable as it may be, the climax of the film, involving Kyoko's pregnancy is breathtakingly frightening and unbearably eerie. This follow up contains some moments of great suspense and because you've already seen the first film, there's an ominous atmosphere of dread that is cringe inducing. Well written, acted, directed and filmed, JU-ON 2 is an excellent sequel to a masterwork of horror. Fans of the original need to see this.
1 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Really creepy horror film, 23 June 2008 Author: lastliberal from Florida
I have not seen the original film, so I can't make any comparison. Supposedly this "sequel" contains 40 minutes of the original and just 36 minutes of new material.No matter to me, as this is one of the creepiest films I have seen. I was literally jumping out of my seat at times. The mother and child really creeped me out. People dying all over the place due to some curse that resulted from a murder by a father.Creepy music, and some bizarre deaths make this an interesting movie. The non-linear style may put some off, but I really enjoyed it.There are apparently four of these films, so I will be looking for them all. Of course, I can also check out the American remakes which feature the mother (Takako Fuji) and the father (Takashi Matsuyama).
5 out of 10 people found the following review useful: "Meow...again", 12 September 2004 Author: CJGlowacki (cjglowacki@yahoo.com) from Not Texas
So you sat through the first "Ju-On : The Curse" and thought it was pretty creepy. Your only complaint was that the ending left you confused and wanting more. Well, be careful what you wish for because here we have "Ju-On 2 : The Curse" and it may leave you wanting less.For whatever reason, "Ju-On 2" starts off with teacher Shunsuke Kobayashi visiting the home of one of his students. It appears Toshio hasn't shown up in a while. Sound familiar? It should. Because for the first 30 minutes, you are simply watching the last 30 minutes of the first "Ju-On" - shot for shot.But the real question here is how does this supposed sequel stand up against the original. Well, for starters, it is less confusing. Once you move into the new footage, the movie stays in a linear time frame right up until the end. It even helps in explaining some of the more confusing elements from the first movie. As for the scares, you get more of the same here and this only serves to make them less effective. When we first saw a ghostly Kayko crawling around in the original, it was totally unexpected and genuinely creepy. However, in the sequel, you would've thought she'd entered the walking stage by now ala a toddler. But no, she's still hugging the ground and moving slower George Romero's dead.And here is one aspect of these movies, particularly this one, that I find curious. When approached by these ghosts, every character seems to be frightened to the point of where they can no longer at even the most basic level. Running away? Out of the question. Walking away? I don't think so. Screaming for help? Only if you can stop your whimpering to belt one out. For the most part, these scenes do work, and are punctuated with some incredibly effective jump cuts. But there are times when watching a man slowly crawl away from an even slower ghost just seems plain silly.So, with all that being said, should you give "Ju-On 2 : The Curse" a look? Absolutely - but only if you can somehow seamlessly merge the two movies together and cut out the half hour of repetition.Rating for "Ju-On : The Curse" [on a 5 star system] : 3 1/2 starsRating for "Ju-On 2 : The Curse" [on a 5 star system] : 2 1/2 starsRating for both movies combined as one [on a 5 star system] : 3 1/2 stars
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