Writer: Hanna Zainal

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: "Ju-on", "The Ring"

Anyone who's ever watched the first "Ju-on" (the original Japanese version), before America came-a-calling to plunder the story and make one of their own would remember how scary it was. Several sequels later, from both Japan and America, comes another Japanese sequel.

But wait, from the title "Ju-on: White Ghost and Black Ghost", apparently there are two ghosts. What gives you say? Well, it has two separate movies in one, so that's already worth the price of ticket admission. Take it this way; if you don't like one ghost, you can always take the other.

On a serious note, however, the movie starts off with the story of the White Ghost. It begins with a family massacre. A son murders five members of his family when he starts to hear a cassette tape of a voice that keeps repeating, "I'll go. I'll go soon..." He himself then commits suicide, also recording a similar message. The White Ghost then starts to haunt everyone who is related to the house, visited the house, or has a connection to anyone in the house. However, the one who is most affected is Akane (Akina Minami) who has a sixth sense, and also a childhood friend of the murdered little girl from the massacre.

The second movie, of the Black Ghost has more in common with the original "Ju-on" movie. It is about a nurse Yuko (Ai Kago) who takes care of a patient Fukie, only to have the spirit of Fukie's unborn twin haunt her, hence the Black Ghost. And yes, it's a dark ghost, which thus explains its name. It also explains the origins of the ghost in the original "Ju-on" movie.

The two movies both utilise the technique of flashback sequences. They can be confusing at times and sometimes does not correlate with the movie. For example, in the White Ghost film, the aftermath of the massacre is shown in the beginning of the movie, while the actual massacre is placed in the middle. But rest assured, you will be able to follow the two movies. You'll also get used to how the ghosts appears, which soon might make it feel repetitive.

Overall, it's not a bad sequel. You'll be scared here and there occasionally, but if you're really used to horror films, you'll have no problems. Watching this movie is worth it due to the two-in-one movie deal.

Cinema Online, 30 December 2009