| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A+ |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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One of the Greatest Horror Movies of All Time!
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Oct 25, 2006
1
of
1 people found this review helpful
When I first viewed this film I wasn't familiar with the unique direction and style of the extremely talented Kim-Jee Woon. I didn't know quite what to expect from this upcoming talent. I was however intrigued by the film as it seemed to be a favourite with many Asian horror movie fans and now I can see exactly why!
This movie is in a league of it's own with one of the most confusing but ultimately rewarding and gripping storylines that I have come across. The plot never gives up twisting, repeated viewings are advised as there are many references to different parts of the plot throughout the picture. The plot gripped me and worked so well also because the acting by all four of the main cast members (Yeom Jeong-A, Im Soo-Kyung, Moon Geun-Yeong and Kim Kab-Su) is very realistic and believable. All four characters carry strong emotions and leave everlasting impressions. All the performances are impressive and very strong even during the more relaxed scenes.
Another outstanding feature of this film are the visuals. Each room is shot in a different colour pallete. For example the greenhouse is a luchious green while the dining room is predominantly blood red. Each room is given a different shade of light with some rooms being very moody and dark looking while others shine extremely bright. The colours always fit the scene they are in and the house itself looks beautiful but deadly with quite creepy looking wallpaper.
All these things are very positive but is this film scary? Well I can certainly confirm that this film is very shocking and at times terrifying. It achieves what it set out to do in tremendous fashion. There was an encroaching sense of dread during many scenes in this film that had me hunched up like a pen knife as the tension at times was unbearable and at least three moments where I jumped out of my skin. The movie is filled with creaks, screams and unexpected purposeful loud electrical buzzing aswell as heavy breathing noises and quick heartbeats as the characters cope with frightening circumstances they are in. Even after the movie, my friend and I were unnerved and paranoid well after the credits had rolled. We are all affected by horror in different ways but I am not usually scared by horror films especially when accompanied by a friend but during this I most certainly was.
All these factors set this movie apart from all the other offerings out there at the moment and being a self confessed Asian cinema fan I really can't recommend any other horror movie higher than this one. A unique, original and seriously upredictable psychological horror rollercoaster that will turn your predictions upside down. This isn't just one of the greatest horror films. In my honest opinion I would say this is possibly one of the greatest films I have seen in my life! It was an experience like no other viewing this film and even on repeated viewings it can still entertain and scare the living daylights out of me! Highly Recommended 10/10! |
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