Kayako's Curse

The Grudge 2 (2006)
Amber Tamblyn, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Takashi Shimizu

I could say that all characters that were created after Sadako Yamamura's likeness seemed to be just mere copycats and don't create much impact on movie goers. Kayako Saeki, being one of Sadako's descendants with her long hair, her "magic kamison", and her bone-breaking moves, is no different. However, Kayako has her own distinction. For one thing, she brings her son (Toshio, and his cat) along whenever they go curse-victim hunting. Plus, the cackling sound she makes adds to her katakot points.

In The Grudge 2, Kayako is back to terrorize people with her curse. She started by hunting Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in a hospital. She'd never stop until she gets her. Hell forbids that someone will get away from her. That could never happen as long as she's in charge. Then came Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn) who goes to Japan to tend to her sick sister, Karen. After her death, she wishes to learn more about the curse that afflicted her sister. She did not know that Kayako has bigger plans for herself and her son. She wants to go grand. But like most egotistic and selfish ghost, she didn't want to leave her nest. Aubrey did not realize the she'd bear the curse herself in a rather most unexpected way. Most victims would be thankful that Kayako just took their lives away. Poor Aubrey.

Director Takashi Shimizu must have been feeling so lucky! I mean, how many directors could get to redo their work in a bigger scale, huge budget, and audience worldwide? With his reworking of the first two The Grudge trilogy, he gets to add details to his previous works. He is able to incorporate new ideas or additional storylines in his new outings. In that sense, the story becomes concise and clearer. Because he is redoing his original work, the intention and essence of the story are never lost.

Like its Japanese counterpart, The Grudge 2 was done in a non-linear fashion. It goes from one setting to the next to reveal the grand twist. Shimizu has high hopes for Kayako and Toshio. If he could realize his dreams in Hollywood, so should Kayako!

Prepare to be scared. But don't expect something that will last with you till the end of the film. Just remember, like in Pulse, this is what happens when ghosts and their trippings go hi-tech. Let's see what Kayako has up in her sleeves next in part 3!

My rating: 3 out of 5